The Yankees Rising Star

At only 22 years old, Justin “Joba” Chamberlain is in a position unfamiliar to many his age: he is pitching for the 26-time champions – New York Yankees.

In a little over a year, Chamberlain moved through all four levels of New York’s Minor League system to be signed with the Yankees and pitch his stadium debut on August 14, 2007.

He threw a 99-m.p.h. fastball, drawing collective “oohs” and “aahs” from a crowd that was more than happy to welcome the new prospect. After he struck out two Baltimore Oriole batters, the crowd rose to their feet and began chanting, “Joba! Joba! Joba!” Not a bad welcoming from 54,000 people.

Despite Chamberlain’s hard-throwing ability, he proved that he was actually human while pitching against the Cleveland Indians during the 2007 playoffs when gnats enveloped the players, seemingly taking on the pitcher as their main target.

He began throwing erratically – walking players and even hitting one with a pitch – and proved that having bugs covering your face and neck is quite a distraction.

However, Chamberlain, did not blame the bugs for his performance. He blamed himself.

Coverage about Chamberlain has not only focused on his baseball, but his relationship and upbringing by his polio-stricken father, Harlen.

Contracting the disease when he was only 9-months old, Chamberlain became his father’s arms and legs. Post-polio syndrome, which affects victims later in life, took Harlen off his feet for good, and he now uses a motorized scooter to get around.

When Harlen recently collapsed in his Nebraska home, Chamberlain rushed to be by his side and was placed on the bereavement list.

There was no pressure from Yankee manager Joe Girardi or his teammates to rush back. His place was with his father, making sure he was okay, and that was understood.

Upon his return to the Yankee bullpen last week, amid aches and pains with the young starting pitchers, owner Hank Steinbrenner began talking publicly about the possibility of putting Chamberlain in starting pitching spot.

“I want him as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now,” Steinbrenner told the New York Times last week. “There is no question about it, you don’t have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a set-up guy. You just don’t do that. You have to be an idiot to do that.”

While Chamberlain’s placement in the pitching rotation may be unclear, he is establishing himself as a very clear, fan-favorite in New York.

Chamberlain offers the passion and humbleness that big-league sports have seemed to lose in spite of fame, fortune and ego. His talent is undeniable and his enthusiasm is hard to miss.

His story and talent is not only a good one for Yankee fans, it’s a good one for sports fans.

In a world where baseball has been plagued with the use of steroids, high salaries and arrogance, Joba Chamberlain may be the biggest breath of fresh air.