Jaba Chamberlain

Full Name: Joba Chamberlain Primary Position: P
Height/Weight: 6' 2''/230
Birthdate: 09/23/1985
Birthplace: Lincoln, NE
Bat/Throw: R/R


On August 7, 2007, the Yankees purchased Chamberlain's contract, elevating him to the major leagues for the first time in his career. To make room on their roster, the Yankees designated Miguel Cairo for assignment, and sent down Brian Bruney (coinciding with the activation of Jason Giambi). [1] [2] In his debut, a Yankees victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, Chamberlain struck out the first batter he faced and went on to pitch two scoreless innings, striking out two. The television and stadium radar guns clocked his fastest pitch at 100 and 99 miles per hour, respectively, with his slider consistently registering at 87.

On August 10, 2007, Chamberlain pitched 2 perfect innings against the Cleveland Indians, striking out 1 in the 7th, and the side in the 8th. The following Monday, he retired the Baltimore Orioles 1-2-3 in the 8th inning. Joba struck out 2 while the Yankees won the game, 7-6. It was his Yankee Stadium debut and he was met with chants of "Jo-ba! Jo-ba!" by the home crowd.

For the immediate future, the Yankees plan to use Chamberlain as a bridge from their starting pitching to their closer, Mariano Rivera. In the long run, Joba is expected to break the rotation. Manager Joe Torre has gone as far as stating that he will only bring Chamberlain into a game to start an inning, and newspaper reports that he will get a day rest for each inning.
Chamberlain grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. At age 3, his parents divorced, and his father Harlan, a counselor at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, took custody of Joba and his older sister Tasha. The family lived in poverty, with Harlan often pawning his possessions to buy things for the children. Joba served as a ballboy for Lincoln Northeast High School's state championship 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.

Chamberlain's father was born on a reservation for the Winnebago American Indian Tribe, but had to leave to be treated for polio. Harlan spent his childhood in hospitals and foster homes and now uses a motor scooter to get around. After retiring from the state penitentiary, he currently works as a substitute teacher and takes tickets at Cornhusker baseball games. Chamberlain still has family living in American Indian reservations.

Joba has a son, Karter, born in 2006.

Chamberlain is one of a few Native American baseball players currently in organized baseball; others include Bobby Madritsch, Kyle Lohse, and Jacoby Ellsbury.

The scouting reports on Chamberlain highlighted his power fastball (95-102), a plus-slider (85-88), a big, slow low-mid 70's curve, and a developing change up. Joba has demonstrated good command of all but his change up, and has the potential to enter the elite starter ranks with three potentially plus pitches.

Chamberlain has quickly risen through the Yankee minor league organization and broke through the major leagues on August 7th, 2007. He struck out and walked two batters in 2.0 IP, and mainly showed off his fastball and slider. His fastball consistently registered from 95-98 and topped at 101 on the TV gun, while his slider consistently registered at 87mph with a very sharp, late bite.