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March 08, 2008
Yanks Want To Slow Joba Down
Via Kevin Kernan -
Manager Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman made that clear yesterday. They want Joba Chamberlain to continue to be his outgoing self - but they also want to make sure the rookie right-hander does not get carried away with his newfound celebrity status and spread himself too thin.
There's only so much Joba to go around, and pitching for the Yankees must be his top priority. Chamberlain has gotten the message.
"He's kind of drinking from a fire hose right now," Cashman said at Legends Field.
"So much has happened for him because of the 24 innings of major-league work. It was 24 innings, so it's incumbent on all of us around him who care about him, his father and everyone in the Yankee family to make sure that we slow it all down for him because sometimes that stuff can carry you away."
It has been a while since the Yankees have had a player as young, and colorful, and talented as Joba.
Talented and young, and in demand? Sure - you've had guys like Jeter, Bernie, Mattingly, Nick Johnson, Soriano...and even guys like Melky, Wang, Cano, Hughes and Kennedy today. But, none of those guys have the personality factor of Joba.
In some respects, but not entirely, this is somewhat like when Deion Sanders played for the Yankees in 1989-1990. Granted, Joba is no where near the red light hound that Deion was, back in the day. But, the media will be on him like they were on Sanders at that time.
Personally, I think Chamberlain will be fine. While he's talented, he's had to work hard to get here as well. And, he seems to have that "worker" mentality as part of his make-up - even now. The Yankees are right to be concerned about this...but, I doubt Joba will give them much reason to have to turn the dial up on that concern.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at March 8, 2008 10:09 AM
Comments
It's all fine unless he starts a blog. If he does that, then we have to be afraid -- very afraid.
Posted by: baileywalk ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 8, 2008 04:34 PM
Joba understands perspective. His Fathers health and being a young Father himself allows him to understand what truly matters in life.
Joba is the last person I would worry about.
Posted by: Bradley at March 9, 2008 07:57 AM
what's he done that has raised eyebrows?
Posted by: Spark at March 9, 2008 12:04 PM
what's he done that has raised eyebrows?
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Don't think there is anything he's done, it's more of a preventative measure than anything else
Posted by: Raf at March 9, 2008 01:28 PM