Joba Chamberlain
Encyclopedia
Justin Louis "Joba" Chamberlain ( ; born Justin Louis Heath; September 23, 1985) is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the New York Yankees
.
. 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, 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.
Chamberlain's father was born on the Winnebago
Indian Reservation, but had to leave to be treated for polio. Harlan spent his childhood in hospitals and foster homes and now uses a motor scooter (which he has named "Humphrey") to get around. 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. Chamberlain still has family living on American Indian reservations. As of 2008, he was one of only three active non-Hispanic Native American
players in Major League Baseball, with the others being Kyle Lohse
of the St. Louis Cardinals
and Jacoby Ellsbury
of the Boston Red Sox
.
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.
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.
(5.23), opponents batting average
(.250), strikeout
s (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 stats included 5 double-digit strikeout games. Triceps tendinitis limited his 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.
Chamberlain pitched ball for the National Baseball Congress
team the Beatrice, Nebraska
Bruins in 2004 and 2005. In 2005 he started six games, recorded a 5-0 record and a 1.59 ERA.
; 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 pitched in the winter league in Hawaii
, posting a 2.63 ERA for the West Oahu CaneFires
.
Before the 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.
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.
, Chamberlain struck out the first batter he faced and went on to pitch two scoreless innings, striking out two.
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.
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.
In Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS against the Cleveland Indians
, Chamberlain was pitching in the bottom of the eighth with the Yankees leading 1–0. Suddenly, a host of small insects
swarmed the field. He was repeatedly sprayed down with insect repellent, which had no apparent deterrent effect on the midges. Chamberlain threw 2 wild pitches, yielding the tying run
. The Indians went on to win the game 2–1 and later the series 3 games to 1.
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.
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
. At the time of his leave, Joba had a record of 1–0, with a 0.00 ERA, six strikeouts, and 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.
In May Girardi announced Chamberlain was being transitioned into the starting rotation. On June 3, Chamberlain made his first MLB start against Roy Halladay
and the Toronto Blue Jays lasting 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.
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.
On August 4, Chamberlain injured his shoulder in a game against the Texas Rangers
and was placed on the 15-day disabled list
with rotator cuff tendinitis. Yankees General Manager
Brian Cashman
later acknowledged that this injury had a lasting effect.
Chamberlain ended the season with a 3-1 record and eight no-decisions.
to get his mind off things by playing with his son so he could "be himself" and get more confidence on the mound. Chamberlain continued to struggle in the second half of the season. The Yankees considered demoting him to the minor leagues and leaving him off of the postseason roster, but the Yankees kept Chamberlain on the roster in a set-up role as the Yankees went with a three man starting rotation en route to winning the 2009 World Series
.
had declared that there would be competition for the 5th spot in the Yankees starting rotation. The favorites were most notably Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. Towards the end of Spring Training, Hughes was declared the winner, which sent Chamberlain back to the bullpen. From the start of the season through July Chamberlain struggled, with an ERA over 5. His performance improved in August and September; in Chamberlain's last 28 appearances of the 2010 regular season, his ERA was 2.38.
. He would later become the set-up man to Mariano Rivera
briefly after Soriano went on the disabled list; Chamberlain himself was placed on the disabled list on June 8, and had Tommy John surgery
performed to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow; David Robertson took over, and broke out, as the set-up pitcher in Chamberlain's absence.
which airs on the Travel Channel
. The episode was filmed in Brooklyn
and featured Chamberlain coaching host Adam Richman
through an eating challenge.
spokesperson said Chamberlain was stopped for speeding on U.S. Route 77
near his hometown of Lincoln. His arrest was captured on police video, which later aired on the "Drivers 13" episode of truTV Presents: World's Dumbest.... His arraignment
was postponed four times: in December 2008, January 2009, and twice in March 2009, all by Chamberlain's request. He pleaded guilty to drunk driving and was sentenced to probation
on April 1, 2009.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
.
Early life
Chamberlain was born and grew up in Lincoln, NebraskaLincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
. 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
Child custody
Child custody and guardianship are legal terms which are used to describe the legal and practical relationship between a parent and his or her child, such as the right of the parent to make decisions for the child, and the parent's duty to care for the child.Following ratification of the United...
of Joba when Joba was 3 years old, 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.
Chamberlain's father was born on the Winnebago
Winnebago
Winnebago can refer to:* The former name of the Ho-Chunk tribe of Native Americans with reservations in Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin*A popular brand of recreational vehicles, manufactured by Winnebago Industries, of Forest City, Iowa...
Indian Reservation, but had to leave to be treated for polio. Harlan spent his childhood in hospitals and foster homes and now uses a motor scooter (which he has named "Humphrey") to get around. Now retired from his job as a supervisor at the state penitentiary
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
, he works as a substitute teacher and takes tickets at University of Nebraska Cornhuskers' games. Chamberlain still has family living on American Indian reservations. As of 2008, he was one of only three active non-Hispanic Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
players in Major League Baseball, with the others being Kyle Lohse
Kyle Lohse
Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki...
of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury ; born September 11, 1983) is an American professional baseball center fielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball....
of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
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.
Joba served as a ball boy and bat boy for Lincoln Northeast High School
Lincoln Northeast High School
Lincoln Northeast High School is a public secondary school located in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. It is part of the Lincoln Public Schools school district. Lincoln Northeast was founded on September 9, 1941 when three rival schools were combined into one...
'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.
High school
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.College
Chamberlain started his college career playing for the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers under coach Damon Day, leading the team in ERAEarned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(5.23), opponents batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(.250), strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (49), and complete games (4) in just 8 starts as a freshman, before transferring to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He helped the Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball
The Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team is a member of the Big Ten Conference in the NCAA, and is currently coached by Darin Erstad. The program started in 1889....
reach the 2005 College World Series
2005 College World Series
The 2005 College World Series was held June 17 through 27, 2005 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. It was won by Texas, which defeated Florida in the championship...
and helped lead Nebraska to their first ever College World Series win, going 10–2 with a 2.81 ERA for the year; his stats included 5 double-digit strikeout games. Triceps tendinitis limited his 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.
Chamberlain pitched ball for the National Baseball Congress
National Baseball Congress
The National Baseball Congress of Wichita, Kansas is an organization of 15 amateur and semi-professional baseball leagues operating in the United States and Canada...
team the Beatrice, Nebraska
Beatrice, Nebraska
Beatrice is a city in and the county seat of Gage County, Nebraska.Beatrice is located south of Lincoln on the Big Blue River. It is surrounded by agricultural country. The population was 12,459 at the 2010 census.-History:...
Bruins in 2004 and 2005. In 2005 he started six games, recorded a 5-0 record and a 1.59 ERA.
Minor leagues (2006-2007)
Chamberlain was drafted 41st overall by the New York Yankees in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
; the Yankees received that draft pick as free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
compensation for Tom Gordon
Tom Gordon
Thomas Gordon , nicknamed "Flash", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played with the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , Chicago Cubs , Houston Astros , Chicago White Sox , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies and the...
, who signed with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Chamberlain did not pitch in the organized minors during the 2006 season, but pitched in the winter league in Hawaii
Hawaii Winter Baseball
Hawaii Winter Baseball, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, was a professional baseball league located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It was loosely affiliated with Major League Baseball.-History:...
, posting a 2.63 ERA for the West Oahu CaneFires
West Oahu CaneFires
The West Oahu CaneFires were a minor league baseball team in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league. They are based in Waipahu, Hawaii. The name CaneFires is derived from the burning of sugarcane before harvest. There are many sugarcane plantations on the island of Oahu. The CaneFires began as the Kauai...
.
Before the season, Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
ranked Chamberlain as the 4th-best prospect in the pitching-rich Yankee organization, and the 75th-best prospect in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, and ranked his fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
as the best in the Yankee farm system.
He spent the first part of his 2007 season on the Single-A Advanced Tampa Yankees
Tampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
in the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. He went 4–0 with a 2.03 ERA in 7 games, and had 51 strikeouts and 11 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
. He was then promoted to the Double-A Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
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
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
July 8 at AT&T Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
. Chamberlain pitched the third inning, striking out one, walking one, and allowing a hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and an earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as 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.
2007
On August 7, , the Yankees purchased Chamberlain's contract, elevating him to the major leagues for the first time in his career. In his debut, a Yankees victory over the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, Chamberlain struck out the first batter he faced and went on to pitch two scoreless innings, striking out two.
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.
On August 30, 2007, Chamberlain threw two pitches over the head of Boston's Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Edmund Youkilis , also known as "Youk" , is an American professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
. 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.
In Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Chamberlain was pitching in the bottom of the eighth with the Yankees leading 1–0. Suddenly, a host of small insects
Chironomidae
Chironomidae are a family of nematoceran flies with a global distribution. They are closely related to the Ceratopogonidae, Simuliidae, and Thaumaleidae...
swarmed the field. He was repeatedly sprayed down with insect repellent, which had no apparent deterrent effect on the midges. Chamberlain threw 2 wild pitches, yielding the tying run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
. The Indians went on to win the game 2–1 and later the series 3 games to 1.
2008
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
stated that Chamberlain would be used 'without restrictions' but that the team's use of Chamberlain would be guided by common sense.
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
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
. At the time of his leave, Joba had a record of 1–0, with a 0.00 ERA, six strikeouts, and 3 holds
Hold (baseball)
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who meets the following three conditions:Unlike saves, wins, and losses, more than one pitcher per team can earn a hold for a game, though it is not possible for a pitcher to receive more than one hold in a given game...
in 4 games and 5 1/3 innings pitched.
Chamberlain returned from the bereavement in time for the 2nd game against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on April 19, 2008. On April 20, Hank Steinbrenner announced that he wanted Chamberlain to be moved into the rotation.
In May Girardi announced Chamberlain was being transitioned into the starting rotation. On June 3, Chamberlain made his first MLB start against Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
and the Toronto Blue Jays lasting 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
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, en route to a 10–0 Yankees victory.
On July 25, Chamberlain threw 7 shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
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.
On August 4, Chamberlain injured his shoulder in a game against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
and was placed on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
with rotator cuff tendinitis. Yankees General Manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Brian Cashman
Brian Cashman
Brian McGuire Cashman is an American Major League Baseball executive for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Cashman was born in Rockville Centre, New York and raised in Washingtonville, New York. He was raised in an Irish Catholic family. He moved with his family to Lexington, Kentucky, where his...
later acknowledged that this injury had a lasting effect.
Chamberlain ended the season with a 3-1 record and eight no-decisions.
2009
Chamberlain learned about his role in the Yankees rotation in November, and stated 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. During the All-Star break, Chamberlain went back home to Lincoln, NebraskaLincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
to get his mind off things by playing with his son so he could "be himself" and get more confidence on the mound. Chamberlain continued to struggle in the second half of the season. The Yankees considered demoting him to the minor leagues and leaving him off of the postseason roster, but the Yankees kept Chamberlain on the roster in a set-up role as the Yankees went with a three man starting rotation en route to winning the 2009 World Series
2009 World Series
The 2009 World Series was the 105th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Philadelphia Phillies, champions of the National League and defending World Series champions, and the New York Yankees, champions of the American League...
.
2010
Heading into the new season, before Spring Training Yankees Manager Joe GirardiJoe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
had declared that there would be competition for the 5th spot in the Yankees starting rotation. The favorites were most notably Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. Towards the end of Spring Training, Hughes was declared the winner, which sent Chamberlain back to the bullpen. From the start of the season through July Chamberlain struggled, with an ERA over 5. His performance improved in August and September; in Chamberlain's last 28 appearances of the 2010 regular season, his ERA was 2.38.
2011
The Yankees ruled out using Chamberlain as a starting pitcher in 2011 arguing that his pitches have greater velocity when he pitches in relief. At the beginning of the season, he was moved to the seventh-inning role to accommodate Rafael SorianoRafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. He bats and throws right-handed...
. He would later become the set-up man to Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
briefly after Soriano went on the disabled list; Chamberlain himself was placed on the disabled list on June 8, and had Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
performed to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow; David Robertson took over, and broke out, as the set-up pitcher in Chamberlain's absence.
Personal life
Chamberlain has one son, Karter. Chamberlain made an appearance in the season 2 episode 15 episode of Man v. FoodMan v. Food
Man v. Food is an American food reality television series. It premiered on December 3, 2008, on the Travel Channel. The program is hosted by actor and food enthusiast Adam Richman. In each episode, Richman explores the "big food" offerings of a different American city before facing off against a...
which airs on the Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
. The episode was filmed in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and featured Chamberlain coaching host Adam Richman
Adam Richman (actor)
Adam Richman is an American actor and television personality. He was the host of the Travel Channel's eating challenge program Man v. Food and is currently hosting Man v. Food Nation.-Early life and education:...
through an eating challenge.
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 PatrolNebraska State Patrol
The Nebraska State Patrol is Nebraska's only statewide full-service law enforcement agency. Serving Nebraska since 1937, State Patrol officers perform a wide variety of duties...
spokesperson said Chamberlain was stopped for speeding on U.S. Route 77
U.S. Route 77
U.S. Route 77 is a north–south United States highway. It is unsigned in and around Dallas, Texas. Its historic segment through South Dakota and Minnesota was decommissioned with the advent of Interstate 29 but otherwise the route has been spared the decommissioning that has shortened other US...
near his hometown of Lincoln. His arrest was captured on police video, which later aired on the "Drivers 13" episode of truTV Presents: World's Dumbest.... His arraignment
Arraignment
Arraignment is a formal reading of a criminal complaint in the presence of the defendant to inform the defendant of the charges against him or her. In response to arraignment, the accused is expected to enter a plea...
was postponed four times: in December 2008, January 2009, and twice in March 2009, all by Chamberlain's request. He pleaded guilty to drunk driving and was sentenced to probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
on April 1, 2009.
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 FSLFlorida State LeagueThe Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
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)