Joba Chamberlain

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Joba Chamberlain
New York Yankees — No. 62
Starting pitcher
Born: September 23, 1985 (1985-09-23) (age 23) Lincoln, Nebraska
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 7, 2007 for the New York Yankees
Career statistics (through June 29, 2009)
Win–Loss	10–5
Earned run average	2.79
Strikeouts	221
Teams
New York Yankees (2007-present)

Joba Chamberlain (pronounced /ˈdʒɒbə/ JOB-ə; born Justin Louis Heath^[1][2] on September 23, 1985. in Lincoln, Nebraska) is a pitcher for the New York Yankees.

Contents 1 Early life 2 College baseball 3 Minor leagues 4 Major leagues 4.1 2007 4.2 2008 4.3 2009 5 DUI conviction 6 Scouting report 7 Awards 8 Notes 9 References 10 External links

[edit] Early life

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Chamberlain grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chamberlain's parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old. Some sources say that Harlan obtained full custody of Joba when Joba was 3 years old,^[3] but Standley claims that Joba lived with her most of the time until Joba was 10 when she had Joba's surname legally changed from Heath, her maiden name, to Chamberlain. Standley began abusing drugs when Joba was 4 or 5 and says that she and Joba currently speak to each other only rarely.^[2]

Chamberlain's father was born on a reservation for the Winnebago American Indian Tribe, but had to leave to be treated for polio.^[4] Harlan spent his childhood in hospitals and foster homes and now uses a motor scooter (which he has named "Humphrey") to get around.^{[citation needed]} Now retired from his job as a supervisor at the state penitentiary, he works as a substitute teacher and takes tickets at University of Nebraska Cornhuskers' games.^{[citation needed]} Chamberlain still has family living on American Indian reservations.^{[citation needed]}

When Joba (then Justin) was a little boy, his two-year-old cousin was unable to pronounce her brother (Joba's other cousin) Joshua's name correctly, pronouncing it as Joba instead. Harlan Chamberlain heard this and liked the nickname, so he began referring to Justin (instead of cousin Joshua) as Joba. Harlan said the name was "dynamic." Joba agreed, and eventually had his name legally changed.^{[citation needed]}

Joba served as a ball boy and bat boy for Lincoln Northeast High School's state championship baseball team, and eventually graduated from Northeast. He did not jump straight to college; to help pay the bills, Joba briefly worked for the city of Lincoln's maintenance department.^{[citation needed]}

He played American Legion baseball over the summer of 2004 for Coach Steve Eckman, going 4-4 with a 1.36 ERA, as he struck out 137 hitters and walked only 21 en route to all-state honors. He recorded 21 strikeouts over 12 shutout innings in a matchup against future fellow Nebraska star Johnny Dorn’s team, a 15-inning game won by Grand Island, 1–0. He also hit .505 with 11 homers, 11 doubles and 37 RBIs as a two-way performer. At Lincoln Northeast High School for coaches Bill Fagler and Doug Kaltenberger he garnered second-team Super State honors from the Lincoln Journal Star, going 3-2 with a 3.35 ERA, as he struck out 29 in 31.1 innings as a senior.^{[citation needed]} . Chamberlain has one son, Karter.

[edit] College baseball

Chamberlain started his college career playing for the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers under coach Damon Day, leading the team in ERA (5.23), opponents batting average (.250), strikeouts (49), and complete games (4) in just 8 starts as a freshman, before transferring to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He helped the Cornhuskers reach the 2005 College World Series and helped lead Nebraska to their first ever College World Series win, going 10–2 with a 2.81 ERA for the year; his 2005 stats included 5 double-digit strikeout games. Triceps tendinitis limited his 2006 season but he still pitched in 14 games, posting a 6–5 record, a 3.93 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 89.1 innings.^{[citation needed]}

	ERA	W	L	G	IP	ER	BB	K
2005	2.81	10	2	18	118.2	37	33	130
2006	3.93	6	5	14	89.1	39	34	102
Total	3.37	16	7	32	208	76	67	232

[edit] Minor leagues

Chamberlain was drafted 41st overall by the New York Yankees in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft; the Yankees received that draft pick as free agent compensation for Tom Gordon, who signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Chamberlain did not pitch in the organized minors during the 2006 season, but dominated the winter league in Hawaii, posting a 2.63 ERA for the West Oahu CaneFires.^{[citation needed]}

Before the 2007 season, Baseball America ranked Chamberlain as the 4th-best prospect in the pitching-rich Yankee organization, and the 75th-best prospect in Major League Baseball, and ranked his fastball as the best in the Yankee farm system.^{[citation needed]}

He spent the first part of his 2007 season on the Single-A Advanced Tampa Yankees in the Florida State League. He went 4–0 with a 2.03 ERA in 7 games, and had 51 strikeouts and 11 walks. He was then promoted to the Double-A Trenton Thunder in the Eastern League, where he was 4–2 in 7 games with a 3.43 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He was named to the U.S. Team in the 2007 All-Star Futures Game July 8 at AT&T Park. Chamberlain pitched the third inning, striking out one, walking one, and allowing a hit and an earned run. On July 24, 2007, Chamberlain was promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and made his first start the next day, striking out 10 in 5 innings and earning his first Triple-A victory. While the Yankees still saw him as a starter in the future, the team announced on July 29, 2007, that Chamberlain would be moved to the Scranton-Wilkes Barre bullpen, and he made his first appearance the next day, striking out the side in 1 inning pitched and hitting 100 on the radar gun three times. On August 1, Joba went back to Trenton to make a relief appearance, striking out 2 batters in a 1-2-3 8th inning. He then came back to Scranton, pitching 2 innings and striking out 5 batters.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Major leagues

[edit] 2007

On August 7, 2007, the Yankees purchased Chamberlain's contract, elevating him to the major leagues for the first time in his career. To make room on their roster, the Yankees designated Miguel Cairo for assignment, and sent down Brian Bruney (coinciding with the activation of Jason Giambi)^[5][6] In his debut, a Yankees victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, Chamberlain struck out the first batter he faced and went on to pitch two scoreless innings, striking out two. The television and stadium radar guns clocked his fastest pitch at 99 and 96 miles per hour, respectively, with his slider consistently registering at 87.^{[citation needed]}

Chamberlain's usage in games was initially restricted by what were referred to as the "Joba Rules," which prevented him from pitching on consecutive days and gave him an additional day of rest for each inning pitched in an outing.^[7] T-shirts were eventually sold with Joba Rules on them as a pun on the term.

On August 30, 2007, Chamberlain threw two pitches over the head of Boston's Kevin Youkilis. Chamberlain was subsequently ejected for the first time in his baseball career. The next day, he was suspended for two games and fined $1,000 for the incident.^{[citation needed]}

Chamberlain had an extraordinary experience when he was "bugged" in game 2 of the 2007 ALDS against the Cleveland Indians. The game took place at Jacobs Field (in Cleveland) on October 5. With the Yankees leading 1–0, Chamberlain was pitching in the bottom of the eighth when a host of small insects swarmed the field.^[8] He was repeatedly sprayed down with insecticide, which had no apparent deterrent effect on the midges. Chamberlain then threw a wild pitch, permitting Grady Sizemore to advance from first to second base. After a sacrifice bunt, Sizemore moved up to third base and, after another wild pitch by Chamberlain, Sizemore scored the tying run. The Indians went on to win the game 2–1.^[9]

On October 14, Hank Steinbrenner announced that Chamberlain would begin 2008 spring training as a starting pitcher, but would limit his innings.^[10]

[edit] 2008

On March 20, 2008, the Yankees announced that Chamberlain would start the season in the bullpen. Manager Joe Girardi stated that Chamberlain would be used 'without restrictions' but that the team's use of Chamberlain would be guided by common sense.^{[citation needed]}

Chamberlain was granted a leave of absence on April 13, 2008, when he received news that his father, Harlan, was in the hospital after collapsing at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska.^[11] At the time of his leave, Joba had a record of 1–0, with a 0.00 ERA and six strikeouts, and has 3 holds in 4 games and 5 1/3 innings pitched. Chamberlain returned from the bereavement in time for the 2nd game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 19, 2008. On April 20, Hank Steinbrenner announced that he wanted Chamberlain to be moved into the rotation.^[12]

On May 6, Chamberlain gave up a three run home run to David Dellucci to give up the lead to the Indians in the 8th. This was the first time he had given up a run at Yankee Stadium in over 15 innings in the regular season.^{[citation needed]}

On May 21, Chamberlain threw two scoreless innings and 35 pitches in an 8–0 victory against the Orioles. After the game, Girardi announced that this was the beginning of a process to transition Chamberlain into the Yankee's starting rotation, and that he would be a member of the starting rotation at some point during the 2008 season. On June 3, Chamberlain made his first MLB start against Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays and lasted only 2 1/3 innings while allowing 2 runs, a hit and 4 walks. One June 25, Chamberlain earned his first career win as a starter, throwing 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, en route to a 10–0 Yankees victory.^[13]

On July 25, Chamberlain threw 7 shutout innings against the Red Sox, out dueling Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, allowing only 3 hits and striking out 9. The Yankees won the game 1–0.^{[citation needed]}

On August 4, Chamberlain injured his shoulder in a game against the Texas Rangers and was only expected to miss one start,^[14] but he was placed on the 15-day disabled list two days later after visiting orthopedic surgeon James Andrews, with rotator cuff tendinitis.^[15] Chamberlain said that he expected to return to the rotation before the end of the month,^[16] but he was sidelined until September 2, when he returned in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.^[17]

When Chamberlain takes the mound, he begins with a private prayer ritual which he began doing in Little League. The Yankee Stadium scoreboard staff plays Mötley Crüe's Shout at the Devil whenever Chamberlain enters a game.^{[citation needed]} He ended the season with a 3-1 record and eight no-decisions.^[18]

[edit] 2009

On the January 27 edition of Hot Stove Chamberlain stated that he would be in the starting rotation at the beginning of the upcoming season. Chamberlain added that he had learned about his role in the Yankees rotation in November, and that knowing about the team's plans to use him as a starter rather than as a reliever who would move into a starting role at some point in the middle of the season (as was the case in 2008) changes his mental approach to preparing for the season, and makes things easier on him.^[19] On May 5, Chamberlain set a career high in strikeouts in a game with 12 against the Boston Red Sox, though he lasted only 5.2 innings. On June 1, he threw a career-high 8 innings against the Cleveland Indians, giving up only 2 runs and 4 hits. On July 19, he won his first home game of the season giving up one run on three hits while striking out 8 in 6.2 innings.

[edit] DUI conviction

On October 18, 2008 at 1:00 a.m., Chamberlain was arrested in Nebraska for suspicion of driving under the influence, speeding and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. A Nebraska State Patrol spokesperson said Chamberlain was stopped for speeding on U.S. 77 near his hometown of Lincoln. ^[20][21] His arraignment was postponed four times: in December 2008, January 2009, and twice in March 2009, all by Chamberlain's request.^[22][23][24] He pleaded guilty to drunken driving and was sentenced to probation on April 1, 2009.^[25]

[edit] Scouting report

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (April 2008)

When pitching out of the bullpen, his fastball is known to sit in the upper 90's while occasionally topping 99mph with tailing action.^{[citation needed]} His slider rates over 70 on the 20–80 scouting scale and has caused batters to swing and miss 75% of the time.^{[citation needed]}

When pitching as a starter, he makes use of an above average change-up and a mid to high 70s plus-curve, along with his fastball and slider.^{[citation needed]} His fastball will sit in the 94–98 mph range when Joba pitches as a starter.^[26]

[edit] Awards

• 2005 3rd Team All-American
• 2005 1st Team All Big 12
• 2005 Big 12 Newcomer Pitcher of the Year
• 2005 2nd Team All Midwest Region
• 2005 Big 12 Pitcher of the Week (2005-03-01)
• 2005 National Pitcher of the Week (2005-01-03)
• 2005 Big 12 Pitcher of the Week (2005-04-25)
• 2006 1st Team Preseason All-American
• 2006 Hawaiian Winter Post-Season All-Star
• 2007 FSL Pitcher of the Week (2007-05-14)
• 2007 FSL Pitcher of the Week (2007-05-28)
• 2007 EL Pitcher of the Week (2007-06-18)

In 2007, Chamberlain was featured on the cover of an issue of ESPN the Magazine, being named as being "Next", or being the most likely young sports player to become a star.^[27]

[edit] Notes

28. ^http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10626195

[edit] References

• [1]
• [2]
• "Nothing is Insurmountable" - Omaha World-Herald
• Joba the Hot - New York Post
• CHAMBERLAIN BACK... FOR A DAY - http://www.trentonthunder.com/
• Young guns aim for the Bronx - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees:News
• Yankees promote Chamberlain - Lincoln Journal Star
• Here's Joba - NY POST
• Serby's Sunday Q&A with Joba Chamberlain
• Joba's First MLB Interview - Audio file on blog
• The Joba Chamberlain Era Begins
• What's Love got to do with it? - Sports Illustrated - October 4, 2007
• [[3]]

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Minor League Baseball stats
• Joba Chamberlain Scouting Report

v • d • e New York Yankees current roster Active roster 2 Derek Jeter | 11 Brett Gardner | 12 Cody Ransom | 13 Alex Rodriguez | 14 Eric Hinske | 18 Johnny Damon | 20 Jorge Posada | 24 Robinson Canó | 25 Mark Teixeira | 26 José Molina | 28 Brett Tomko | 30 David Robertson | 33 Nick Swisher | 34 A. J. Burnett | 38 Brian Bruney | 39 Mark Melancon | 42 Mariano Rivera | 46 Andy Pettitte | 48 Phil Coke | 52 CC Sabathia | 53 Melky Cabrera | 55 Hideki Matsui | 62 Joba Chamberlain | 65 Phil Hughes | 91 Alfredo Aceves Inactive roster 17 Kevin Cash | 19 Ramiro Peña | 29 Francisco Cervelli | 29 Anthony Claggett | 31 Ian Kennedy | 36 Edwar Ramírez | 63 Jonathan Albaladejo | 64 Andrew Brackman | 68 Wilkins De La Rosa | 70 Christian Garcia | 85 Michael Dunn | -- Juan Miranda Disabled list 22 Xavier Nady | 40 Chien-Ming Wang | 43 Dámaso Marté Coaching Staff Manager 27 Joe Girardi | Bench Coach 56 Tony Peña | 1st Base Coach 50 Mick Kelleher | 3rd Base Coach 59 Rob Thomson | Hitting Coach 54 Kevin Long | Pitching Coach 58 Dave Eiland | Bullpen Coach 57 Mike Harkey