This Joba thing - A Little Too Much

So its assumed that this Joba Chamberlain guy is really a legendary closer …. I mean reliever. He has so many legendary games and moments in baseball history. Without a doubt his number will be hung in new Yankee Stadium.

Okay, so I’m making this up. Joba is not a legendary reliever… he’s just a set up man, nothing special. He’s a product of the expansion of specialist in baseball. However, Joba thinks he needs to have joyous celebration despite the situation, no matter how calm it is.

Flashback to last week, David Delucci hit the game winning home run off Joba for the Indians. Next day, Yankees up by three runs, Delucci up again. This time, Joba strikes out Delucci. Again, the setting, the 8^th inning, Yankees up by three, not a pressure packed situation, early May game.

Joba walks off the mound, screaming, double fist pumping back to the dugout.

What

The

Fuck!

Seriously, dude, it’s the 8^th inning of an early season game. I don’t remember Brian Anderson or Mike Jackson doing that to set up Jose Mesa, when I was growing up a Tribe fan.

I love celebrations, I’m that kind of Hollywood kind of guy… but you got to have limits. I’m a firm believer that set up men cannot doing crazy celebrations. Also, you have to earn your due in the league to do celebrations.

They had this same discussion, first week of the season on Mike and the Mad Dog. All these angry Yankee fans (can you believe they exist) were calling in and saying Manny Ramirez is out of line showing up pitchers after he hits a home run. Seriously, Manny has been Manny since his break through in the mid-90’s with Cleveland, he’s been doing that for years. Here’s the thing, Manny can do it… he’s 24^th in home runs, he’s won RBI crowns and World Series rings. He’s also produced clutch hits.

Mike and the Mad Dog were siding with Manny, he paid his dues, and he’s a high caliber player, while Joba cannot do things like that. They said it’s because it’s April and May and also, he’s doesn’t have enough credit or time in the league.

I’m a huge believer that set up men cannot do that. Closers can, but within certain context and in small doses.

Jonathon Papelbon had that breakout year, he proved the critics that he’s not a one hit wonder and played amazing in the postseason. While closing games (remember this is the 9^th inning) in the postseason, he would do his river dance. You cannot blame him for that, it’s pressure packed, down 3-1 and come back to win the ALCS and the World Series, especially striking out the last man. If you end the Fall Classic with a K, you can do whatever you want, even double fist pump.

The double fist pump is only acceptable if the game is very important, championships and monumental moments (milestones, records), not 8^th inning close outs in May.

Sal Fasano says: “I would never catch Joba.”

Phenom Update

So the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to the Stanley Cup.... and the Cleveland Cavaliers are going home... to West Lake, Euclid and well, definitely not Euclid or Lakewood.

Sid the Kid had 2 goals and 3 assists in the series against Philly, as the battle for Pennsylvania went to the steel city. Crosby started strong in game one and two but the supporting cast carried the rest of the series, especially the fifth game.

But Lebron failed to push the Cavs further in the playoffs. His 45 points in Game 7 just were not enough as the Celtics survive another scare to make it to the conference finals. Paul Pierce showed the fans why he's one of Boston's best treasures by dropping 41 points of his own. The supporting cast failed to show up for Cleveland and especially with Daniel Gibson out with an injury. Overall LeBron was numero uno for the Cavaliers in every category; scoring (26.8), rebounds (8.1), assists (7.8), steals (1.8) and blocks (1.4). Though the "Boston Three Party" were able to use a solid team effort rather than base it off one players performance, no one should give James a hard time. He carried the team last year and he still did it this year. Given some more time and more quality role players (shooter cough cough) a championship could be in the near future.

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

Okay, let's go back to zooperstar's post about excuses. I for one, lived in the world where I took responsibility for my actions... I didn't get a Carvel Ice Cream Cake when I passed 6th grade.

Case in point, when I was playing baseball in high school, I was a horrendous hitter. I was a better fielder... like Gold Glove fielder. Any who I was horrible at getting the signals down as well (I missed that practice). With a runner at first and no outs, I was at the plate. The coach (and third base coach) gave me the sacrifice bunt signal. I was the only kid who could bunt (a foreign concept to today's hitters) and I of course missed the signal. I proceeded to line out to right field. At the end of our at bat the coach came up to me and told me he wanted to punch me in the jaw.

Granted I told to do it if he felt it was necessary, but I knew he wouldn't. This threat of assualt on a minor could have been a disaster for the school... but guess what. I was mature, I took it like a man and knew I messed up... I missed the sign. No parents were told, no AD's called, no lawsuit.

I think as Americans and yes, even Canadians, we need to examine the way we view our kids. Apart from loving them with all your heart, why not try taking out the bias. Here at Sal Fasano, we hate bias... especially Yankee bias.

Sal Fasano Fact: Sal has never had any bias... except for bias against people who hate mustaches (George Steinbrenner)