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.”