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August 01, 2007

Joba-Papi Not Happy?

From Jim Baumbach with a hat tip to BTF -

With top Yankee pitching prospect Joba Chamberlain in the process of converting to be a reliever so he can join the major-league bullpen, you would expect nothing but excitement at the Chamberlain house in Lincoln, Neb.

And make no mistake Harlan Chamberlain, Joba's father, is happy for his son. But he was rather quick to admit in a telephone interview earlier this afternoon that he has some health reservations about his 21-year-old son pitching out of the bullpen at this stage of his blossoming career.

"Yeah, it's exciting, but, I guess, my concerns at this time are more for the safety of his arm and what this does to his arm," Harlan said. "So I kind of feel like the jury's out for me right now. His personal welfare from a parent's perspective overshadows the baseball perspective."

Speaking honestly, Harlan can't help but wonder if this is a good move for his son, from a health standpoint. When Joba called him with the news last weekend, Harlan's mind instantly ran circles about what his means for his son's arm.

"Immediately, I thought down the road," he said. "I kind of looked at long-term gratification and success, instead of immediate return, immediate success, and all those thoughts went through my mind – they're going to take you out of your zone that you're in and put you in something that basically is real new to you. It's a whole different set of circumstances as to the recovery of your body, arm, what have you. I just finally came to the conclusion that his body can acclimate itself to the five-day rotation versus the seven-day that he had in college."

Back in 1996, when Torre broke in Mo Rivera, he had Mariano throw 9 times with no day's rest, 16 times with one day's rest, and 18 times with two day's rest. If Joba is as nasty as some people believe that he is, then he should expect the same treatment that Rivera got back in the day. Harlan Chamberlain should be concerned. Promises are one thing - reality is another.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at August 1, 2007 10:36 PM

Comments

Back in 1996, when Torre broke in Mo Rivera, he had Mariano throw 9 times with no day's rest, 16 times with one day's rest, and 18 times with two day's rest.
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Wow. That makes me grimace just to read.

Excellent post, Steve.

Posted by: baileywalk [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 1, 2007 11:09 PM

Remember that Rivera was a failed starter that was converted to relief.

If the Yanks make space in their rotation, don't be surprised if they return Joba there.

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 1, 2007 11:39 PM

Cashman said today that he's nearing his innings limit for this year (he wouldn't say the exact number though). So the bullpen move was made I guess to extend his season should they need him in the Bronx pen.

Posted by: Jen [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 2, 2007 12:35 AM

Not for nothing but the kid should be happy he is going to play in the majors and help a team like the Yankees try to win a championship. If he doesn't have a problem coming out of the bullpen then neither should we. People are worrying about his long term future when he hasn't even pitched in the majors yet. He could suck as a starter, we really don't know. This is not the first time a young pitcher has come out of the bullpen at that start of his career. Do you think he'd rather start 35 games for the Devil Rays and lose a whole season, or come out of the bullpen for the Yankees and try to win a World Series?

They baby these guys so much these days it's ridiculous and for any of you to worry about his future is ridiculous when he hasn't even pitched in the majors yet. That's for Joba to worry about, if he is fine with it than we should be too. If his arm blows out then it blows out and it was meant to be.

The guys been pitching his whole life, I'm sure just because he's pitching out of the bullpen doesn't mean his arm is going to blow out because of that! Guys have a Tommy John surgery now and come back throwing harder than before. If he is going to get hurt it would happen if he was a starter too. The guys that Torre has burnt out were never that good anyway, Rivera is old and look at him, some guys are just built tougher than others and if Joba is tough then he will last!

Now everyone shut up about this issue! haha

Posted by: antone [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 2, 2007 08:31 AM