Joba Chamberlain's Antics: Pitchers Can Celebrate Too

Paul SalmanMay 10, 2008

There has been a lot of talk this year about pitchers such as Joba Chamberlain celebrating too much on the mound.

We obviously know that things get magnified when they have something to do with the Yankees, but the recent backlash at Joba is uncalled for.

Here is some background.

On Tuesday May 6, David Dellucci hit a three-run home run off of Joba, which resulted in the game's winning runs. Moving on to Thursday May 8, Joba struck out Dellucci on four fastballs and a slider, followed by his usual fist pump and yell.

Here are Dellucci's post game comments.

"If he wants to yell and scream after a strikeout and dance around the mound, that's what gets him going," he said. "My home run was in a much bigger situation, a much more key part of the game, but I didn't dance around and scream. If a hitter did something like that, everybody would say it was bush and that you shouldn't do that," he said. "It's kind of funny how a pitcher can get away with it."

Well first of all, there is not a double standard, because when a batter hits a walk-off hit, there is a whole team waiting for him at the plate. Even if you are the Washington Nationals!

In a walk-off hit, the team has won, and they have every reason to celebrate. For a pitcher, and even more so for a relief pitcher, an inning-ending strike out is a win for him. He did his job and walks off the mound celebrating, which is perfectly fine.

In addition, I am also sure everyone has witnessed some batters standing at the plate with their arms out after a big hit and watching the ball sail out.

I am not saying this is a bad thing. While it is amusing to watch, and we do make comments about it, it is a part of the game. When an athlete performs well, he/she likes to celebrate. Sometimes this celebration is a way to let their energy out and keep them motivated for the next play or next pitch.

Moving on, this backlash against Joba seems unfair because this is not a new fad that he has started. Many pitchers show emotion as they walk off the mound after a big strike out; which is I repeat, is not a bad thing.