I'd like to thing that I have a pretty good general understanding of most things in sports. I was absolutely stumped, however, when several articles sprung up and talking heads began spouting about Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain.
"Are his celebrations too excessive? Is there a need for this in sports?" Those kinds of questions rang out. I wondered what he had done. Had he pointed and screamed at someone in defiance? Had he back-flipped his way off the field?
Then I saw the clip of him striking out Indians outfielder David Delucci and immediately became perplexed. Uh, did I miss something here?
I saw nothing but raw emotion; a guy excited about picking up a big out. Nothing wrong with a fist pump and a yell. Hell, Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia practically turns into a lunatic after a huge out, screaming several times on his way to the dugout.
This got such attention that it required an interview with former Yankee great Goose Gossage in which the Goose basically said there was no room in the game for it and that if he had done it as a young kid, the veterans would've sat him down and insured he'd never do it again.
Do what again? Act like a human being with emotions? Sorry Goose, but there isn't anything wrong with showing emotion. God forbid every athlete isn't as mundane as possible.
Let the guy fist pump. Let him yell. It's nothing more than a case of an excited kid. And besides, he could've done faaaaar worse.
Although this will pass, it's just a reminder of how stupid the talking heads of the sports world are. But give them time, I suppose. They'll come up with something even dumber to gripe about.
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2 months ago
Ryan, I couldn't agree more. I LOVE when pitchers show emotion. It's perfectly fine for a player to watch and stare at a homerun but when a pitcher strikes out a hitter in a big situation it is wrong for them to celebrate? NO WAY! I grew up with Joba Chamberlain, played against him in high school, watched him at the University of Nebraska Kearney, and then when he came to the University of Nebraska Lincoln. This kid has some of the nastiest stuff in baseball, could be a number 2 starter for the most prestigious franchise in all of sports, and he is the most humble kid you'll ever meet. Tribute that to his dad, Harlan. I love Joba, all people from Nebraska do. He's making us proud. Everytime someone complains about his fist pump I have to restrain myself from throwing a my television off my balcony.
Joba is the man. Enough said. Talk to me when he picks up a chunk of a bat and throws it at a player (Roger the cheat Clemons). Until then, people need to get off his da** back.
GO BIG RED!
2 months ago
Thanks for writing this article. I am not a Yankee fan but I agree with your point entirely.
The sports media should instead be focusing their attention of the degenerates that make up the bulk of the NBA.
2 months ago
It's just Joba being Joba. He's living his dream, more power to him. Another home-grown Nebraska guy for us to be proud of!
2 months ago
I agree, no one complains when a hitter (ie Manny Ramirez) admires a home run. I am an Indians fan too, but Dellucci was whining because he thought he was shown up. Joba is a young kid.
from 2 months ago
Joba was just excited. I've worked in the Indians visiting clubhouse the last 6 years and have gotten several chances to just talk with Joba (he's my age) and he's a real down to earth, super cool guy so I doubt he was trying to show up Delucci.
2 months ago
Oh I agree, he's a young kid just excited after a bad outing. You gotta get me in the club house (wink wink)
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