Imaginary Diamond

The debate can rage on about whether New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain’s post-strikeout celebrations are excessive. He’s made it perfectly clear to Goose Gossage, David Dellucci, and whoever else is listening that he’s not changing for any of them.

To harp on the subject seems like a waste of time, a circular argument that leads to one conclusion: today’s players are different, for better or worse. It is true that today’s players play more for the name on their backs of their jerseys and less for the logo on the front. We are coming to terms with that.

The conclusion is unavoidable, yet discussion will go on and on because it makes for good television, radio and blog material. Players have changed, the game has changed, and there’s not a thing we can do about it.

What I find interesting about all of this is the fact that Joba is getting a taste of his first real New York adversity. Chamberlain isn’t the first to be animated when he gets a positive result, and he sure won’t be the last. But, when he takes the mound for the first time since Gossage’s criticisms, you’d better believe the remarks will be with him.

If Chamberlain does react emotionally to a big strikeout, part of it will be staged as he emphasizes that he will not change for anyone. If he doesn’t react emotionally, he’s found some truth in what others are saying and has thoughtfully put their advice to good use. Whatever the reaction may be, it will be more deliberate than any other celebration of his baseball career.

And there’s where New York media gets to you. If it’s not a big thing they are after, it’s sure going to be a little thing. When Gossage spoke about Chamberlain, his intentions may have been to help him or to help restore the Yankees aura, but the result of his actions will be a media barrage that could alter the career path of a young reliever.

Gossage has christened Joba to real New York pressure, and this is only the beginning. As if it weren’t bad enough that Chamberlain’s every move on the field is fair game to criticism, he’s going to have to deal with questions about celebrations, Gossage and his place in Yankees history for the foreseeable future.

It’s a reality of playing in New York, and one of the reasons why it’s so difficult to succeed there. One comment opens a can of worms, and an entire city of birds comes out looking for a free meal. This one just happens to be at Joba Chamberlain’s expense.

More thoughts …
Corn Nation says the New York media has built Joba up and is looking to tear him down.

Newsday’s Neil Best took a week away from sports radio, in part because of talk about Joba.

My Pinstripes says Gossage should keep his mouth shut.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryDiamond.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.