Is he bigger this year?
If so, how much bigger?
Is it fat or muscle?
Did he pig out on cheeseburgers or work out in his home gym?
Is it upper body bulk or a beer gut?
These are the pressing issues of the Yankees’ spring training camp today. According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch:
Chamberlain’s weight became the talk of Yankees camp on Wednesday, as general manager Brian Cashman acknowledged that there were additional pounds on Chamberlain’s 6-foot-2 frame. He officially remains listed at 230 pounds.
Joba told the media – and he made it clear it was the last time he would address his weight – that, with the okay of the Yankees’ training director, he went out and bought a lot of fitness equipment and installed it in his new gym. Why would he lie about that?
I care if he came to spring training out of shape. I care if he thinks he should look like Bartolo Colon. I care if he doesn’t feel the need to perform at the highest level. But I think I’ll reserve judgment until I see how he pitches in actual ballgames this season. Isn’t that what really matters?
Yes, he’s made mistakes in his young life. Yes, he’s been jerked around by the organization. Yes, he’s underachieved, given his blazing 2007 debut. All that’s in the past. Now it’s time to give him a break, the benefit of the doubt, the chance to work with Larry Rothschild and hone his craft – and stop talking about his poundage.
Here’s what I tweeted earlier today:
“I don’t care how big Joba Chamberlain is as long as he does his job. Do employees in other businesses get weighed?”
I got some interesting tweets back. It seems that jockeys get weighed. So do the Rockettes. And flight attendants used to; nobody’s sure if they still do. I bet astronauts do too. But here was my point….I’m glad publishers don’t weigh authors before giving us contracts to write books. I would feel like a bag of broccoli.
You’re right Jane, as long as he gets those outs I don’t care if he looks like a Defensive Tackle. I’ve seen sports beat writers, especially some at Jeter’s press conference. They didn’t exactly look like Hugh Jackman. But, CC’s Cap’n Crunch had to go somewhere!
Jane I read the title of the entry and I instantly thought of Chris Crocker’s now famous rant on Britney Spears’ critics about her VMA performance. So I was laughing pretty hard about it. Here it is for reference in case you and others weren’t aware:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc
Back to Joba now, I agree with you though about not caring at all about his weight as long as he works hard to be a good and reliable pitcher. Do you believe it’s too much to ask for him to replicate his dominance from his 2007 debut and his great half of 2008 before his injury? If that’s not possible, I just want him to be good and if need be, be good enough to possibly be trade bait for a starting pitcher.
That’s right, Dan. He can look like The Refrigerator (remember him or were you not even born yet?) as long as he pitches well. The beat writers can afford to be pudgy though; they’re not professional athletes getting paid a fortune to throw a baseball.
Poor Britney, Leo. I always thought that performance wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone made it out to be. I guess the Joba weight thing falls in the same category as CC’s opt out thing. As long as they pitch well this season, why worry? Yes, I do believe it’s too much to ask for him to be as dominant as he was in ’07. He’s lost velocity. He had an injury. He’s not the same kid. That said, he can certainly improve and help us out this year.
Exactly! I do think that he has benefited from the home gym and I am looking forward to seeing what kind of effect that Larry Rothschild has on Joba. I know that A.J. Burnett is the “great reclamation project” but I’d really like to see Joba re-establish himself as a force in the pen. Who says that we can’t have a three way bridge consisting of Chamberlain to Soriano to Rivera. I’m fine with 6 inning games!
I’d be thrilled – ecstatic – if Joba did well this year, Scott. Six inning games work just fine for me, especially with our somewhat “challenged” rotation.
I don’t care about Joba’s weight gain either. As you all said, as long as he pitches well, it’s not an issue. So stop bother him with the weight question. And it seems like it’s really more muscle from his workouts. Convenient his new gym at home, I could need one too. Then I also don’t have to ‘get in the car’ to drive to mine. ;) And he said he’s already made some adjustments with his hands plus he feels to be in good shape…best since a long time. Why not believe him? I do. He’s gonna be great out of the bullpen (apparently him being a starter is out of question).
Exactly, Jane. No one ever cared that David Wells showed up as a whale every season! The dude brought his good stuff in all that blubber. LOL
Installing and using are two different things. He might’ve bought a new gym and spent the winter at McDonald’s.
It’s all part of a bigger (pardon the double entiendre) issue that he’s immature in part because the club babied him to the degree they did.
http://paullebowitz.com.previewyoursite.com/blog/?p=376
Yes, Nadine. Being a starter is definitely out of the question. I can’t believe people are still talking about it! He’s a relief pitcher, and that’s that. I read about the adjustment with his hands too, and hope that tip was helpful. It sounds like the guys have a lot of respect for Rothschild, which is good to hear.
And David Wells is in camp this year as a coach, Jeff, so they can compare notes. LOL. Wells used to go nuts when the Yankees tried to weigh him every spring. He told them in no uncertain terms what they could do with their scale.
Oh, Paul. Come on. The Yankees beat writers have all reported that Joba isn’t “fat” – that he doesn’t have a belly, that he’s a big, barrel-chested guy. If I ate at McDonald’s every day, I guarantee you those burgers wouldn’t go to my chest.
Jane – thinking about this makes me think of Babe Ruth and how things are different in 2011 as opposed to 1921. The only difference is the pushing of the fitness-diet-obesity agenda into our current society. Ruth was revered for being big when he sent one over the fence. Joba, as you stated, was screwed over by the Yanks several times over for being big – among other things. If the guy could pitch – let him! If Larry Rothschild is willing to overlook his body type and image to keep Joba on the 25-man roster – then perhaps there is hope that Joba has the clout in the near term to do what Wells did to thwart the imposition of the scale.
Things are very different, Randy. In The Babe’s day, they didn’t have weight rooms and gyms and fitness trainers. Guys just showed up! And how about CC? Everybody calls him “the big man” and they don’t mean it in a derogatory way. Of course, Joba needs to prove he can pitch before everybody will overlook his size. That’s the key and it’s very valid.
Between all the CC talk and Joba’s weight I can honestly say I’m already exhausted. Leave it to Miguel Cabrera to save the day & get a DUI to have everyone shift their focus to Detroit.. And also King Albert, that apparently thinks he’s an actual king.. [I won’t get into this] lol.
All I wanna know is, is Joba’s pitching arm bigger? If so, did he gain speed?
As if he doesn’t have a tough time in NY.. Let’s talk about everything he eats.. I bet ARod gained some weight this offseason [Re: popcorn] lol
Yes, exactly right about Cabrera and Pujols taking attention away from how much Joba and CC weigh, Antonella. Surely, those are bigger stories than the size of our players. Love the popcorn line. LOL is right.
All points taken and well-covered. Remember, I recalled the pitching Reuschel brothers a few days ago… and with references to CC, Boomer & Babe, methinx we’re well-covered. As the old blues tune goes, “I’m built for comfort…some are built for speed…” Now, with Joba, an appropriate helping of both would be jus’ right!
In fact, with San Miguel (that’s a brand of cerveza, senora) and Poo-Holes acting like…well…and since I can’t offer any shrewd beisbol commentary (as if I ever), AND because I can somehow relate to Messr. Chamberlain and his 230 lbs. o’renown, allow me to encourage Young Joba by quoting another tune from a local D.C. favorite, the late great Root Boy Slim & the Sex Change Band:
“Dare to be fat! Dare to be fat!
Havin’ a ball with cholesterol…
Come on, y’all…fat don’t matter at all!!”
I rest my case, honorable She-Fan…
I do remember your anecdote, Dave. Thanks for the latest musical reference!
the media needs something to talk about so everything that goes on is “bloated” into a big story
“Bloated.” Perfect description of this story, Freya!
Does he think this is the 1950’s, when players needed Spring Training to shed pounds? No; today with millions in earnings, you show up in shape….unless you have husky stats as well. But it doesn’t matter anymore. Brian Cashman “broke” him and rendered him useless. If I were Joba, I’d retire tomorrow, hire a lawyer and sue the Yankees next week for “Decimation of Career”.
…..Hi Jane
: D
Hi, Mike. Thanks for your good cheer. How are things in Metsville? Oh, wait…
LOL!
I was listening to Boomer and Carton this morning (well, watching them on TV), and Carton proposed an interesting theory: “Maybe Joba wants some of the CC Sabathia leg power?” Can only hope there is a method to his madness ;)
One word … “oy.” You know how much I love Joba … but his picture on the front page of the (ugh) Daily News is just a little disturbing.
Well … my boy better get in shape and show ’em what he’s got.
“trade bait” Leo????
I dunno …
Interesting theory, Catherine. I’m just stunned that Joba’s weight is the subject of so many stories! Who would have expected it?
I do know how much you love him, Roberta. I guess he’ll have to silence his doubters by pitching well, that’s all. So far Girardi seems pleased with what he sees, but the proof will come soon enough.
Jane,
Are the Yankees being sponsored by yhe New York Post?
Already there have been “underdog” statements, “fat” jokes, and even a daily A-Rod/ Cameron Vblog. Can’t we just let the pinstripes get down to what they do best. Hit the ball, field the ball, pitch the ball….then sometimes it rains.
I know the electronic media has overblown the boudaries at times with privacy or even manners, but why berate a team on their first taste of Spring. Can’t the NYC media save that for April like everyone else?
I don’t mind the underdog statements, Renegade. I was glad that Tex and others have used it. It’ll make them hungrier. As for the other stuff, you know the New York media – talk about hungry. They’re like a pack of wolves!