News Update: Joba Chamberlain
Chamberlain was granted a leave of absence on April 13, 2008, when he received news that his father, Harlan, was in the hospital after collapsing at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chamberlain’s parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old. Some sources say that Harlan obtained full custody of Joba when Joba was 3 years old, but Standley claims that Joba lived with her most of the time until Joba was 10 when she had Joba’s surname legally changed from Heath, her maiden name, to Chamberlain. Standley began abusing drugs when Joba was 4 or 5 and says that she and Joba currently speak to each other only rarely. When Joba was a little boy, his two-year-old cousin was unable to pronounce her brother Joshua’s name correctly, pronouncing it as Joba instead. Harlan Chamberlain heard this and liked the nickname, so he began referring to Justin as Joba. Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain was arrested early Saturday morning in Nebraska for driving under the influence of alcohol, the state patrol said. Chamberlain arrested for DUI : New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain Joba Chamberlain Joba Chamberlain has been arrested for allegedly driving under the influence, speeding and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.
Yankees September 2: Activated pitchers Joba Chamberlain and Dan Giese from the 15-day disabled list. A New Jersey screwball who is a dead ringer for Joba Chamberlain impersonated the Yankees pitcher in order to improve his stats with the ladies while scoring free food and drinks along the way, police said yesterday.
On August 30, 2007, Chamberlain threw two pitches over the head of Boston’s Kevin Youkilis. Chamberlain was subsequently ejected for the first time in his baseball career. Chamberlain had an extraordinary experience when he was “bugged” in game 2 of the 2007 ALDS against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians went on to win the game 2″ On October 14, Hank Steinbrenner announced that Chamberlain would begin 2008 spring training as a starting pitcher, but will limit his innings. On May 6, Chamberlain gave up a three run home run to David Dellucci to give up the lead to the Indians in the 8th. The Yankee Stadium scoreboard staff plays M”tley Cr”e’s “Shout at the Devil” whenever Chamberlain enters a game. Chamberlain was drafted 41st overall by the New York Yankees in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft ; the Yankees received that draft pick as free agent compensation for Tom Gordon, who signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Yankees leading 1-0, Chamberlain was pitching in the bottom of the eighth when a host of small insects swarmed the field.
Chamberlain returned from the bereavement in time for the 2nd game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 19, 200 On April 20, Hank Steinbrenner announced that he wanted Chamberlain to be moved into the rotation. On October 18, 2008 at 1:00 a.m., Chamberlain was arrested in Nebraska for driving under the influence, speeding and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Chamberlain then threw a wild pitch, permitting Grady Sizemore to advance from first to second base. After a sacrifice bunt, Sizemore moved up to third base and, after another wild pitch by Chamberlain, Sizemore scored the tying run.
Chamberlain’s father was born on a reservation for the Winnebago American Indian Tribe, but had to leave to be treated for polio.
He began the 2008 season in the bullpen but the Yanks were forced to move him to the starting rotation due to several injuries and underperformances. Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner announced last week Chamberlain will begin the 2009 season as a starter. The season ended last month for Chamberlain and the Yankees, as the team failed to make the postseason for the first time in 13 years.
Chamberlain was sidelined throughout August with rotator cuff tendinitis.
Chamberlain began this year in the bullpen, joined the rotation on June 3, then was sidelined after his Aug. She says Chamberlain was stopped for speeding on U.S.
“By the time he came here, the word was out he was a phony,” Jones said. Chamberlain has reportedly said he had been told about his imposter, and was glad more serious crimes had not been committed in his name.
