As Alex Rios’ fly ball settled in Bobby Abreu’s glove to end the eighth inning last night, there were no fist pumps, no twirls, no screams. Yankees star Joba Chamberlain simply took his glove off and walked off the field with his head down.
Don’t worry, though, the lack of emotion was not due to criticism from certain radio hosts in town. The 22-year-old picked up the victory against Toronto in the 3-2 Yankees win last night, facing four batters in the eighth. Afterward he vowed to keep celebrating any way he chooses.
“It’s unfair to my team to not bring 110 percent every time I go out,” Chamberlain said. “It’s going to be a topic of conversation, that’s fine because I am Joba Chamberlain. I am going to be who I am and if I didn’t show that, I’m not being fair to my teammates. I’m letting them down because I’m not being the person that I am.
“That’s who I am. That’s how I got here. I’m not going to change for anybody. I don’t care what they say or what goes along with it.”
Chamberlain remained perfect against the Blue Jays, not allowing an earned run in six appearances. The phenom has picked up where he left off last season (in midge-less appearances, at least). The Yankees are now 19-2 when he pitches. He gave up one hit and had a strikeout.
On Tuesday, Chamberlain struck Frank Thomas out in the eighth inning of the Bombers’ 3-2 victory. After the strikeout, which ended the inning, he spun around on the mound and pumped his fist.
Radio hosts have been ripping him for the last two days over it, saying he showed up Thomas. The Blue Jays DH said he has no problems with Chamberlain’s histrionics, and neither has anyone from the Yankees.
“It gives you guys something to talk about,” Chamberlain said. “It’s no disrespect to anybody. It’s no disrespect to the game. It’s no disrespect to Frank Thomas for what he’s done in this game. He’s been very, very special to this game. He understands we’re all competitors and as a competitor you give everything you’ve got every time you go out.”