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January 28, 2009

Joba-mania comes to Fairfield

Even in the off-season, Joba Chamberlain remains a popular topic of conversation for Yankee fans - and even baseball fans for that matter.
Chamberlain, who looked ready to join New Kids on the Blocks with his trimmed goatee and sideburns, said Tuesday night at Sacred Heart University that he's excited to be a starter and to get the season going.
Chamberlain figures to be at the back end of a rotation that includes Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte along with newcomers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.
“Just to be a name with those other four guys is an honor," Joba said. "I hope to hold up my end of the deal and try to pick all those guys’ brains to make myself better.”
Just like most of last year, talk has around begun about how many innings Chamberlain can pitch this season and whether he might end up back in the bullpen at some point.
He's not worried about any of it right now.
“We are going to take it one step at a time," he said. "They told me I am starting, so that’s what I know I am doing and I’m excited about that. Mentally, that’s what I’ve been preparing for all off-season. It’s a little different from last season when I didn’t know what I was going to be doing."
Chamberlain said if he ends up in the bullpen at some point because his inning count is high he will just accept it, but he clearly prefers being a starter. The Yankees have not publicly set an inning limit on Chamberlain this season, but the past two years have been cautious with their prized right-hander.
“I’ve kind of done everything you can as a pitcher, so I am ready for whatever happens," he said. "I think if (going to the bullpen) what’s going to be the case I’ve done that and understand what it’s going to take. Hopefully I can stay in (a starting) role for a long time. If I get up in my innings that means I am doing my job, which is a good thing. We can cross that bridge when it comes.
“I understand it’s going to be my first full full season as a starter, and I want to have a long career at this, so I have to be patient. I have to take everything we do and understand that’s what I have to do (to be successful).”
Chamberlain has been playing long toss back home in Nebraska since the season ended and plans to take the mound for the first time Friday.
“I’m exciting to get going,” he said.
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Chamberlain did not shy away from discussing his DWI arrest last October in his hometown of Lincoln. He said he has learned his lesson from the incident, which is still pending legal action, and plans to be a better person after it.
“It’s part of growing up," he said. "We all make mistakes, right? It’s not making that mistake again (that's important) and I understand that. I’m fortunate enough to come out of it OK, and that’s the message you have to take to everybody and let them know that (what I did was wrong).”

Look for more on Jon Lester and his visit to SHU in Sunday's Connecticut Post

Posted by Bill on 11:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack