Joba Chamberlain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joba Chamberlain |
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Chamberlain with the New York Yankees in 2009
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: September 23, 1985 Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| August 7, 2007, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 3, 2016, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 25–21 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.81 | ||
| Strikeouts | 546 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Justin Louis "Joba" Chamberlain (born September 23, 1985) is a former professional baseball pitcher from the United States. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These teams included the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, and Cleveland Indians.
Chamberlain played college baseball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Yankees then chose him in the first round of the 2006 MLB draft. He quickly moved up through the minor leagues. He made his MLB debut in 2007 as a relief pitcher. This was during the Yankees' effort to reach the MLB postseason. The Yankees had special rules for him, called the "Joba Rules." These rules carefully watched and limited how much he pitched.
In 2008, the Yankees changed Chamberlain to a starting pitcher. He later had a shoulder injury that season. Chamberlain had a tough time as a starter in 2009. So, he was moved back to being a relief pitcher. He joined the Tigers as a free agent before the 2014 season. He signed with them again for 2015 but was released during that year. He returned to MLB later in 2015 with Kansas City. He then pitched for Cleveland in 2016.
Contents
Early Life and Nickname
Joba Chamberlain was born Justin Louis Heath on September 23, 1985. He grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. His parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were not married. They separated when Joba was very young. Joba lived with his mother for a time. His last name was later changed to Chamberlain.
Joba's father was born on the Winnebago Indian Reservation. Joba still has family living on Native American reservations. As of 2014, he was one of only three active non-Hispanic Native American players in Major League Baseball.
When Joba was a young boy, his two-year-old cousin could not say her brother Joshua's name correctly. She said "Joba" instead. This became Chamberlain's nickname over time.
Chamberlain helped out as a ball boy and bat boy for Lincoln Northeast High School's baseball team. He later graduated from Northeast. Before college, Joba worked briefly for the city of Lincoln's maintenance department. This helped him earn money.
Amateur Baseball Career
High School Baseball
At Lincoln Northeast High School, Joba was recognized for his skills. He earned second-team Super State honors from the Lincoln Journal Star. As a senior, he had a 3–2 record with a 3.35 ERA. He also struck out 29 batters in 31.1 innings.
He played American Legion Baseball in the summer of 2004. He had a 4–4 record with a 1.36 earned run average (ERA). He also had 137 strikeouts and 21 walks. He earned all-state honors that year. He once struck out 21 batters over 12 shutout innings in a long 15-inning game. Chamberlain also hit very well, with a .505 batting average. He had 11 home runs, 11 doubles, and 37 RBI.
College Baseball Journey
Chamberlain started his college career at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He led the team in ERA (5.23) and strikeouts (49) as a freshman. He was also named an honorable mention for the All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
He then transferred to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for his second year. He had knee surgery and lost 25 pounds. Chamberlain helped the Cornhuskers reach the 2005 College World Series. They also won their first game in the College World Series that year. He finished that season with a 10–2 record and a 2.81 ERA. He had 130 strikeouts over 118.2 innings. In 2005, he was named a first-team All-Big 12 player. He was also the league’s newcomer of the year.
During the college off-season in 2004–2005, Chamberlain pitched for the Nebraska Bruins. He started six games in 2005. He had a 5–0 record and a 1.59 ERA.
An injury to his triceps muscle limited his 2006 season. Still, he pitched in 14 games. He had a 6–5 record with a 3.93 ERA. He also recorded 102 strikeouts in 89.1 innings. Chamberlain was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week twice. He finished third in the league with 102 strikeouts.
Professional Baseball Career
New York Yankees: Early Years (2006–2009)
The New York Yankees drafted Chamberlain 41st overall in the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. He did not pitch in the minor leagues in 2006. He made his professional debut in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league. There, he had a 2.63 ERA in nine games.
Before the 2007 season, Baseball America ranked Chamberlain as a top prospect. They called him the fifth-best prospect in the Yankees organization. His fastball was also ranked as the best in the Yankees farm system.
He began the 2007 season in Single-A Advanced with the Tampa Yankees. He had a 4–0 record with a 2.03 ERA in seven starts. He then moved up to the Double-A Trenton Thunder. There, he was 4–2 in seven games with a 3.43 ERA. He was also chosen for the U.S. Team in the 2007 All-Star Futures Game.
On July 24, 2007, Chamberlain was promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He made his first start there the next day. He struck out 10 batters in five innings. The Yankees then moved him to the bullpen.
On August 7, 2007, the Yankees brought Chamberlain up to the major leagues. In his first game, he struck out the first batter he faced. He pitched two scoreless innings. The Yankees had special rules for him, called the "Joba Rules." These rules limited how often he could pitch. On August 30, 2007, during a game against the Boston Red Sox, Chamberlain threw two pitches over Kevin Youkilis's head. He was ejected from the game. He was later suspended for two games. Chamberlain pitched 16 innings without giving up a run to start his career.
In Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS against the Cleveland Indians, small insects called midges swarmed the field. Chamberlain was pitching in the eighth inning. He threw two wild pitches, which allowed the tying run to score. The Indians won the game. The Yankees lost the series in four games.
Before the 2008 season, Baseball America ranked him as the third-best prospect in baseball. He started spring training as a starting pitcher. However, the Yankees decided he would begin the season in the bullpen. Manager Joe Girardi said Chamberlain would be used "without restrictions."
Chamberlain took a leave of absence on April 13. This was because his father was in the hospital. He returned on April 19. On April 20, Hank Steinbrenner said he wanted Chamberlain to be moved into the starting rotation.
On June 3, Chamberlain made his first MLB start. He pitched only 2.1 innings and allowed two runs. On June 25, he earned his first win as a starter. He pitched 6.2 scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Yankees won 10–0.
On July 25, Chamberlain pitched seven shutout innings against the Red Sox. He allowed only three hits and struck out nine batters. The Yankees won 1–0.
On August 4, Chamberlain injured his shoulder in a game against the Texas Rangers. He was placed on the disabled list. This injury had a lasting effect on him. Chamberlain finished the season with a 3–1 record.
After the 2008 season, Hank Steinbrenner said Chamberlain would be a starter in 2009. On June 1, Chamberlain pitched a career-high eight innings. This helped the Yankees win 5–2 against the Indians.
During the All-Star break, Chamberlain went home to Lincoln, Nebraska. He spent time with his son to relax and regain confidence. On July 19, he won his first game at Yankee Stadium. He allowed one run on three hits in 6.2 innings against the Detroit Tigers.
Later in the season, the Yankees decided to limit his innings. He had a higher ERA in his final eight starts. The Yankees thought about sending him to the minor leagues. However, he stayed on the team as a set-up pitcher. He pitched a lot out of the bullpen. The Yankees went on to win the 2009 World Series.
New York Yankees: Later Years (2010–2013)
Before the 2010 season, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said there would be a competition for the fifth starting pitcher spot. Chamberlain and Phil Hughes were the main contenders. Hughes won the spot, and Chamberlain went back to the bullpen.
Chamberlain struggled from the start of the season through July. His ERA was over 5. His performance improved in August and September. However, other pitchers like David Robertson and Kerry Wood took over his role. Chamberlain pitched well in low-pressure situations. He had a 2.38 ERA over his last 28 games of the 2010 season. He was on the team's postseason roster. He only appeared in three games during the ALCS.
The Yankees decided not to use Chamberlain as a starting pitcher in 2011. They believed his pitches were faster when he pitched in relief. When the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano, it made Chamberlain's future with the team uncertain. However, he stayed and usually pitched the seventh inning. He was briefly used in the eighth inning after Soriano was injured. On June 8, Chamberlain was placed on the disabled list due to an elbow injury. He had Tommy John surgery on June 16 to fix a torn ligament in his right elbow. This ended his season.
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In January 2012, Chamberlain signed a one-year contract with the Yankees. On March 22, 2012, Chamberlain injured his right leg while on a trampoline. He suffered an open dislocation of his ankle. Chamberlain later said he never had a life-threatening injury. He started the 2012 season on the disabled list. He was recovering from both the ankle injury and Tommy John surgery.
He returned on August 1, 2012, against the Baltimore Orioles. For the rest of the season, Chamberlain mostly pitched in the seventh inning. He was on the team's postseason roster. In Game 4 of the 2012 American League Division Series, Chamberlain was hit on the elbow by a broken bat. He had to leave the game. The Yankees won the series. However, they were swept in the 2012 American League Championship Series by the Detroit Tigers.
Chamberlain started the 2013 season well. But he was soon out of action by the end of April. On May 2, 2013, he was placed on the disabled list with a right oblique strain. He returned on May 28, 2013. On September 5, 2013, Chamberlain was ejected from a game for arguing a call.
Detroit Tigers (2014–2015)
On December 13, 2013, the Tigers signed Chamberlain to a one-year contract. He lost 15 pounds by adding fish to his diet. His season started a bit rough. However, he soon became the Tigers' set-up pitcher. Chamberlain earned a save on April 22. This was only his sixth career save. He finished the 2014 season with a 2–5 record and a 3.57 ERA. He allowed 57 hits in 63 innings. He was named to the Tigers' playoff roster. He faced six batters and got only one out. He allowed four runs in two games.
On February 24, 2015, the Tigers re-signed Chamberlain. He had a 1.26 ERA through May. But his ERA went up to 4.09 over his next ten games. On July 1, Chamberlain allowed three home runs in one inning. After pitching with a high ERA in June, he was released by the Tigers on July 3.
Toronto Blue Jays (2015)
On July 21, 2015, Chamberlain signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He played for the Buffalo Bisons. Chamberlain left the team on August 14 and became a free agent.
Kansas City Royals (2015)
On August 16, 2015, Chamberlain signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. After pitching in eight games, the Royals promoted him to the major leagues on September 7. In six games for the Royals, Chamberlain had a 7.94 ERA. Overall, his ERA was 4.88 in 36 games combined with the Tigers and Royals in 2015.
He was not on the Royals' playoff roster at the end of the season. However, he received his second World Series ring. This was because the Royals won the 2015 World Series that year.
Cleveland Indians (2016)
On December 1, 2015, Chamberlain signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians added him to their opening day roster on April 4, 2016. On May 23, Chamberlain was placed on the disabled list with a rib cage injury. At that time, he had a 1.93 ERA in 14 games. He returned on June 8. Chamberlain was released on July 10.
Milwaukee Brewers (2017)
On January 20, 2017, Chamberlain signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was released before the season started on March 22.
Chamberlain announced he was retiring from professional baseball on October 4, 2017. He said it was "time to be a dad."
Pitching Style
Chamberlain threw a four-seam fastball. Early in his career, it was very fast, often reaching over 90 miles per hour. After his arm surgery, his fastball was still fast, around 93-94 mph. He also threw a slider and a curveball. Sometimes, he would throw a changeup.
Personal Life
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Joba Chamberlain has one son named Karter. Chamberlain appeared on an episode of Man v. Food. The episode was filmed in Brooklyn. Chamberlain helped the host, Adam Richman, with an eating challenge.
Restaurant Business
In 2013, Chamberlain became part of a group that opened a bar and restaurant in Manhattan. It was called American Whiskey.
Chamberlain and a business partner opened a pub called Chamberlain's in Lincoln, Nebraska, in September 2018.
Awards and Achievements
- 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 (March 1, 2005)
- 2005 National Pitcher of the Week (January 3, 2005)
- 2005 Big 12 Pitcher of the Week (April 25, 2005)
- 2006 1st Team Preseason All-American
- 2006 Hawaiian Winter Postseason All-Star
- 2007 FSL Pitcher of the Week (May 14, 2007)
- 2007 FSL Pitcher of the Week (May 28, 2007)
- 2007 EL Pitcher of the Week (June 18, 2007)
- 2009 World Series champion
Images for kids
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Chamberlain with the New York Yankees in 2009
