| Joba Chamberlain | |
|---|---|
 Chamberlain with theNew York Yankees in 2009 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1985-09-23)September 23, 1985 (age 40) Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 7, 2007, for the New York Yankees | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 3, 2016, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 25–21 |
| Earned run average | 3.81 |
| Strikeouts | 546 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Justin Louis "Joba"Chamberlain (/ˈdʒɒbə/JOB-ə;né Heath; born September 23, 1985) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theNew York Yankees,Detroit Tigers,Kansas City Royals, andCleveland Indians.
Chamberlain playedcollege baseball for theNebraska Cornhuskers before the Yankees selected him in the first round of the2006 MLB draft. He ascended through the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2007 as arelief pitcher during the Yankees' pursuit of a berth in theMLB postseason. The Yankees adhered to what became known as the "Joba Rules", where they carefully monitored and limited his appearances. During the 2008 season, the Yankees transitioned Chamberlain to thestarting rotation, and he suffered a shoulder injury later in the season. Chamberlain struggled as a starter in 2009, and was shifted back to a relief role. He signed as afree agent with the Tigers before the 2014 season, and re-signed with the Tigers for 2015, but was released during the season. He returned to MLB later in 2015 with Kansas City and pitched for Cleveland in 2016.
Chamberlain was born Justin Louis Heath on September 23, 1985.[1] He grew up inLincoln, Nebraska.[2] 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 Chamberlain obtained fullcustody of Joba when he was three years old,[3] but Standley claims that Joba lived with her most of the time until he was 10 when she had his 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 speak to each other only rarely.[1]
Chamberlain's father was born on theWinnebago Indian Reservation, but had to leave to be treated forpolio.[4] Chamberlain still has family living on Native American reservations.[5] As of 2014, he was one of only three active non-HispanicNative American players in Major League Baseball, with the others beingKyle Lohse of theMilwaukee Brewers andJacoby Ellsbury of theNew York Yankees.[6]
When Chamberlain was a little boy, his two-year-old cousin was unable to pronounce her brother (Chamberlain's other cousin) Joshua's name correctly, pronouncing it as Joba instead, which became Chamberlain's nickname over time.[7]
Chamberlain served as a ball boy and bat boy forLincoln 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.[4][8]
At Lincoln Northeast High School, he garnered second-team Super State honors from theLincoln Journal Star, going 3–2 with a 3.35 ERA, as he struck out 29 in 31.1 innings as a senior.[9]
He playedAmerican Legion Baseball over the summer of 2004, going 4–4 with a 1.36earned run average (ERA), 137 strikeouts, and 21 walks 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. Chamberlain also hit .505 with 11 homers, 11 doubles and 37 RBI.[9]
Chamberlain started his college career playing for theUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney Lopers under coach Damon Day, leading the team in ERA (5.23), opponents'batting average (.250),strikeouts (49), andcomplete games (4) in just eight starts as a freshman.[9] He was named a 2004 honorable mentionAll-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.[10]
He transferred to theUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln for his sophomore season, undergoing knee surgery and losing 25 pounds.[11] Chamberlain helped theCornhuskers reach the2005 College World Series and their first College World Series win. That year, he finished with a 10–2 record, 2.81 ERA, and 130 strikeouts, including five double-digit strikeout games, over 118.2 innings.[9] In 2005, he was named a first-teamAll-Big 12 pick and was also the league’s newcomer of the year.[12]
During the 2004–2005 college off-season Chamberlain pitched for the Nebraska Bruins of theNational Baseball Congress. He started six games in 2005, recording a 5–0 record and a 1.59 ERA.[13]
Triceps tendinitis limited his 2006 season but he still pitched in 14 games, posting a 6–5 record with a 3.93 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 89.1 innings.[14] A two-time Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, Chamberlain finished third with 102 strikeouts and averaged 10.28 strikeouts per nine innings.[12]
Chamberlain was drafted 41st overall by the New York Yankees in the2006 Major League Baseball draft[12][15] as a supplemental pick asfree agent compensation forTom Gordon, who signed with thePhiladelphia Phillies.[16][17] Chamberlain didn't pitch in the minors during the 2006 season, but made his professional debut in theHawaii Winter Baseball league, posting a 2.63 ERA in nine games for theWest Oahu CaneFires.[18]
Before the 2007 season,Baseball America ranked Chamberlain as the fifth-best prospect in the pitching-rich Yankees organization and the 75th-best prospect inMajor League Baseball. Hisfastball was also ranked as the best in the Yankees farm system.[11]Baseball Prospectus ranked him 56th overall.[19]
He started the 2007 season in Single-A Advanced, playing for theTampa Yankees in theFlorida State League. He went 4–0 with a 2.03 ERA in seven starts, and had 51 strikeouts and 11walks.[20] He was then promoted to the Double-ATrenton Thunder in theEastern League,[21] where he was 4–2 in seven games with a 3.43 ERA and 64 strikeouts.[22] He was named to the U.S. Team in the 2007All-Star Futures Game atAT&T Park. Chamberlain pitched the third inning, striking out one, walking one, and allowing ahit and anearned run.[23][24]
On July 24, 2007, Chamberlain was promoted to Triple-AScranton/Wilkes-Barre.[25][26] He made his first start the next day, striking out 10 in five innings and earning his first Triple-A victory.[27] While the Yankees still saw him as a starter in the future, the team announced that Chamberlain would be moved to the Scranton bullpen.[28] He made his first appearance the next day, striking out the side in one inning pitched and hitting 100 on the radar gun three times.[29] On August 1, Chamberlain went back to Trenton to make a relief appearance, striking out two batters in a 1–2–3 eighth inning. He then came back to Scranton, pitching two innings and striking out five batters.[30][31]
On August 7, 2007, the Yankees purchased Chamberlain's contract, elevating him to the major leagues for the first time in his career.[32][33] In his debut that day, Chamberlain struck out the first batter he faced and went on to pitch two scoreless innings, striking out two in a win over theToronto Blue Jays.[34][35] 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.[36] On August 30, 2007, during a game against theBoston Red Sox, Chamberlain threw two pitches over the head ofKevin Youkilis. Chamberlain was subsequently ejected for the first time in his Major League career. The next day, Chamberlain was suspended for two games and fined $1,000.[37][38] He pitched 16 innings without allowing an earned runs to begin his career.[39] Chamberlain allowed his first run, a solo home run by Mike Lowell of the Red Sox, on September 16.[40]
In Game 2 of the2007 ALDS against theCleveland Indians, Chamberlain was pitching in the bottom of the eighth with the Yankees leading 1–0. Suddenly, a host of smallmidges swarmed the field.[41] He was repeatedly sprayed down with insect repellent, which had no apparent deterrent effect on the midges. Chamberlain threw two wild pitches, yielding the tyingrun. The Indians went on to win the game 2–1. The Yankees would then lose the Division Series against the Indians in four games in the best-of-five series.[42]
Before the 2008 season,Baseball America called him the third best prospect in baseball, whileBaseball Prospectus ranked him fourth overall.[43][44] He went into spring training that year as a starting pitcher. However, on March 20, 2008, the Yankees announced that Chamberlain would start the season in the bullpen. ManagerJoe Girardi stated that Chamberlain would be used 'without restrictions' but that the team's use of Chamberlain would be guided by common sense.[13][45][46]
Chamberlain was granted a leave of absence on April 13, when he received news that his father was in the hospital after collapsing at his home inLincoln, Nebraska.[47] At the time of his leave, Joba had a record of 1–0, with a 0.00 ERA, six strikeouts, and threeholds in four games and 51⁄3 innings pitched. Chamberlain returned from thebereavement in time for the second game against theBaltimore Orioles on April 19. On April 20,Hank Steinbrenner announced that he wanted Chamberlain to be moved into the rotation.[48]
On May 6, Chamberlain allowed a go-ahead three-run home run toDavid Dellucci of theCleveland Indians, allowing his first run at Yankee Stadium.[49] At the end of the month, the team acknowledged it would be transitioning him into the starting rotation.[50] On June 3, Chamberlain made his first MLB start againstRoy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays lasting only 21⁄3 innings while allowing two runs, a hit and four walks.[13][51] On June 25, Chamberlain earned his first career win as a starter, throwing 62⁄3 scoreless innings against thePittsburgh Pirates, en route to a 10–0 Yankees victory.[13][52]
On July 25, Chamberlain threw sevenshutout innings against theRed Sox, outdueling Red Sox aceJosh Beckett, allowing only three hits and striking out nine batters. The Yankees won the game 1–0.[53]
On August 4, Chamberlain injured his shoulder in a game against theTexas Rangers and was placed on the 15-daydisabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis.[54] YankeesGeneral ManagerBrian Cashman later acknowledged that this injury had a lasting effect.[55]
Chamberlain ended the season with a 3–1 record and eight no-decisions.[56]
Following the 2008 season, Hank Steinbrenner told the press that Chamberlain was expected to be in the starting rotation for the 2009 season.[57] He noted that knowing about the team's plans for him changed his mental approach to prepare for the season, and makes things easier on him.[58] On June 1, Chamberlain pitched a career-high eight innings in a 5–2 victory over the Indians.[59]
During the All-Star break, Chamberlain went back home toLincoln, Nebraska to get his mind off things by playing with his son so he could "be himself" and get more confidence on the mound.[60] On July 19, he allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight in 6.2 innings against theDetroit Tigers to win his first game at Yankee Stadium.[61]
Through August 12, Chamberlain maintained a 3.85 ERA before the Yankees decided to limit his innings for the year. The team would start him every seventh day and usedChad Gaudin in the rotation.[62] Chamberlain pitched to a 8.19 ERA in his final eight starts that season.[63] During this time, the Yankees considered demoting him to the minor leagues and even threatened to leave him off of the postseason roster.[64] However, he ultimately remained on the roster in a set-up role as the Yankees went with a three-man starting rotation.[65][66] He was used extensively out of the bullpen en route to the Yankees winning the2009 World Series.[67]
Heading into the new season, before spring training Yankees managerJoe Girardi declared that there would be competition for the fifth spot in the Yankees starting rotation. The favorites were most notably Chamberlain andPhil Hughes.[68] Towards the end of spring training, Hughes was declared the winner, which sent Chamberlain back to the bullpen.[69]
From the start of the season through July Chamberlain struggled, with an ERA over 5. His performance improved in August and September, but he was supplanted byDavid Robertson andKerry Wood. Pitching in low leverage situations, Chamberlain maintained a 2.38 ERA over his last 28 appearances of the 2010 regular season.[70] He was included on the team's postseason roster, but only appeared in three games during the ALCS.[71][72]
The Yankees ruled out using Chamberlain as a starting pitcher in 2011[73] arguing that his pitches have greater velocity when he pitches in relief.[74] When the Yankees signedRafael Soriano to be the set-up man toMariano Rivera, it cast doubt on Chamberlain's future with the club.[75] However, he ultimately stayed with the team and typically pitched the seventh inning.[76] Chamberlain was briefly used in the eighth inning after Soriano went on the disabled list on May.[77] He was placed on the 15 day-disabled list on June 8 due to an elbow injury[78] and hadTommy John surgery performed on June 16 to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow, ending his season.[79]
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In January 2012, the Yankees and Chamberlain agreed on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract worth approximately $1.675 million.[80] On March 22, 2012, Chamberlain injured his right leg while bouncing on atrampoline in aTampajump center;[81] he suffered anopen dislocation of his ankle. Initial reports indicated that he had lost so much blood that onlookers at the scene feared that he might bleed to death.[82][83] Chamberlain, however, later discredited these accusations during a press conference, stating that he never suffered any life-threatening injury nor did he lose much blood.[84] Chamberlain began the 2012 season on the 60-day disabled list due to the ankle injury, while also continuing to recover from Tommy John surgery.
He returned on August 1, 2012, against theBaltimore Orioles.[85] During the last two months of the season, Chamberlain was primarily used in the seventh inning.[86] He was included on the team's postseason roster.[87] In the top of the 12th inning in Game 4 of the2012 American League Division Series, Chamberlain was struck on the elbow by a broken bat byMatt Wieters of the Orioles and left the game.[88] Despite his injury, the Yankees won the series over Baltimore in five games, but were swept in the2012 American League Championship Series by theDetroit Tigers.
Chamberlain started off the 2013 well, but was soon out of action by the end of April. On May 2, 2013, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a rightoblique strain.[89][90] He was activated from the DL on May 28, 2013.[91] On September 5, 2013, Chamberlain was ejected for the second time in his career during a 9–8 loss against the Red Sox. WithJacoby Ellsbury on second after a stolen base andShane Victorino at the plate with one out in the 10th inning, Victorino attempted to check his swing on a 1–2 pitch. First base umpireJoe West said Victorino did not swing and Victorino then singled in the go-ahead run on the very next pitch. Chamberlain was then ejected by West for arguing the check swing call after being removed from the game.[92]
On December 13, 2013, the Tigers signed Chamberlain to a one-year contract, worth $2.5 million plus incentives.[93] He entered the 2014 season having lost 15 pounds by introducing fish into his diet.[94] Chamberlain's season got off to a rocky start when he allowed two runs on four hits in his first game of the season.[95] However, he later cemented himself as the Tigers' set-up man.[96] Chamberlain earned a save on April 22, in an 8–6 win over theChicago White Sox, which was only the sixth of his career.[97] Over the course of the season, Chamberlain grew a particularly large beard.[98][99] He finished the2014 season with a 2–5 record and a 3.57 ERA, allowing 57 hits in 63 innings with 24 walks and 59 strikeouts.[100] Named to the Tigers' playoff roster for the ALDS against theBaltimore Orioles, he faced six batters and only managed to get one out, allowing four runs on three hits over two games.[101][102]
On February 24, 2015, the Tigers re-signed Chamberlain to one-year, $1 million contract plus incentives.[100][103] He had a 1.26 ERA through May, but his ERA increased to 4.09 over his next ten appearances.[104] On July 1, Chamberlain allowed three home runs in one inning againstNeil Walker,Starling Marte, andPedro Alvarez of thePittsburgh Pirates.[105] After pitching to a 9.39 ERA from the beginning of June, he wasdesignated for assignment by the Tigers on July 3.[106][107][108] On July 10, 2015, Chamberlain was given his unconditional release.[109]
On July 21, 2015, Chamberlain signed a minor league contract with theToronto Blue Jays.[110] He was assigned to theBuffalo Bisons of the International League.[111] Chamberlain exercised an opt-out in his contract on August 14, and became a free agent.[112]
On August 16, 2015, Chamberlain signed a minor league contract with theKansas City Royals.[113] After pitching in eight games for theOmaha Storm Chasers of the Class AAAPacific Coast League, the Royals promoted Chamberlain to the major leagues on September 7.[114] In six appearances for the Royals, Chamberlain has a 7.94 ERA. Overall, Chamberlain's ERA was 4.88 in 36 total games combined with both the Tigers and Royals in 2015.[104]
He was not included on the Royals' playoff roster at the end of the season.[115] Instead, Chamberlain was designated for assignment on October 27, 2015 in order to make room forAdalberto Mondesí on the team'sWorld Series roster.[116] The Royals would beat theNew York Mets in five games to win their first championship in 30 years. Despite playing in only a few games for the Royals in the regular season that year, Chamberlain received his second World Series ring.[117]
On December 1, 2015, Chamberlain signed a minor league deal with theCleveland Indians.[118] The Indians purchased his contract on April 4, 2016, and added him to the opening day roster.[119] On May 23, Chamberlain was placed on the disabled list with a rib cage injury. At the time, he had a 1.93 ERA in 14 games.[120] He returned on June 8, allowing two earned runs in six innings through July 3.[121][122] Chamberlain was designated for assignment on July 4.[123] He was ultimately released on July 10 after declining an outright assignment.[124]
On January 20, 2017, Chamberlain signed a minor league contract with theMilwaukee Brewers with an invitation to spring training.[125] Chamberlain was released prior to the start of the season on March 22.[126]
Chamberlain announced his retirement from professional baseball on October 4, 2017, citing that it was "time to be a dad".[127]
Chamberlain threw a four-seamfastball that early in his career was regularly in the mid-to-upper 90s, topping out at 101 mph. After his arm surgery, his fastball was in the 93-94 mph range, topping out around 97–98. He also threw aslider anywhere from 82 to 88 mph, acurveball at 78–81 mph, and an occasionalchangeup at 83–85 mph.[128]
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Chamberlain has one son, Karter.[4] Chamberlain made an appearance in the season 2 episode 15 ofMan v. Food which airs on theTravel Channel.[129] The episode was filmed inBrooklyn and featured Chamberlain coaching hostAdam Richman through an eating challenge.
On October 18, 2008, at 1:00 a.m. Chamberlain was arrested near Lincoln, Nebraska for the suspicion of driving under the influence, speeding, and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. ANebraska State Patrol spokesperson said Chamberlain was stopped for speeding onU.S. Route 77 near Lincoln.[130][131] His arrest was captured on police video, which later aired on the "Drivers 13" episode oftruTV Presents: World's Dumbest....[132] Hisarraignment was postponed four times: in December 2008, January 2009, and twice in March 2009, all by Chamberlain's request.[133][134][135] He pleaded guilty to drunk driving and was sentenced toprobation on April 1, 2009.[136]
Chamberlain had a second DUI incident on May 3, 2018, where his blood-alcohol level of 0.28 was more than three times the legal limit. He was charged with aggravated DUI with a prior conviction.[137][138]
In 2013, Chamberlain became involved in the ownership group that opened the American Whiskey bar and restaurant in Manhattan.[139]
Chamberlain and a business partner opened a pub called Chamberlain's in Lincoln, Nebraska in September 2018. The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission approved the license under condition he not have any personal alcohol violations in the next year.[140][137][141]
Chamberlain bought a $1.15 million, 4,000-square-foot (370 m2) home in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2014. Pinnacle Bank filed a notice ofdefault on the mortgage in October 2019. A substantial amount ofabandoned property was sold at auction in August 2020, includingbaseball cards,bobbleheads, locker room nameplates, and hundreds of household and sporting goods items.[142] Chamberlain kept certain "high-value items", according to a person who attended the auction, including hisWorld Series ring from the 2009 Yankees.[143]
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