The big story out of Tampa
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 09, 2011 
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Joba Chamberlain has arrived at the Yankees minor league complex in Tampa, and according to the reporters who are already down there, Chamberlain looks a little bigger than last season.
Of course, bigger isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Chamberlain said he’s added gym to his house and added some muscle to his frame. He’s always been a big guy — he was big when I met him in 2007, and he was big when I covered him in 2010 — and whether a slightly bigger, stronger version will be a better version remains to be seen. Right now all we know is he’s in Tampa, and he’ll be in the Yankees bullpen.
Chamberlain said he “knew the discussion would happen” regarding a move back to the rotation, but he’s confident he’ll be back in the bullpen.
• Russell Martin did some squatting today and seemed to come through it with no problems.
• Speaking of catchers, Francisco Cervelli was in Tampa this morning and said he’s still working toward making himself a starting catcher. People always talk about competition being used as motivation. That certainly seems to be the case with Martin, Cervelli and Jesus Montero. We haven’t heard from Austin Romine yet, but I’m betting he’s also ready to prove himself. It’s an interesting situation.
• Cervelli also took some grounders at third. Yesterday, Martin was taking some infield grounders as well. Not especially unusual.
• For the second day in a row, Dave Robertson was the first on the field. He apparently said he’s tired of fishing and golf. Knowing Robertson, I fully believe this to be a lie.
• Others reportedly at the complex today: Derek Jeter, Colin Curtis and Justin Maxwell. Also, Phil Hughes was back this morning.
Associated Press photo of Chamberlain, and no it’s not from today
A healthy and productive year to you, Joba!
Thatta boy, Jobber.
Amen.
But it’s like finding a budding Arthur Rubenstein & handing him the sheet music for chopsticks.
I love that picture of Joba. lol
And a healthy back to D-Rob!
Its time we stop worrying about what we think Joba should be and instead accept what he is and cheer for him to do well in that role.
(Picture caption) Joba sits during warm-up drills at Yankee Stadium. “I felt like my arm was warmed up, so I just wanted to take a break,” he told press. In response to criticism for the reliever’s gaffe, Joba said, “Are you going to finish those fries?”
I kid, I kid. ‘Atta boy Joba. (Been in a weird mood since handing in my two weeks notice at my current job.)
@ ConcernedCitizen if you don’t mind me asking where did you work?
I can do both, Blake: I can cheer him in his disappointing role & still ponder what could have been.It’s very hard to dismiss a team folding on a 25 yr old with front-end starter stuff when you don’t believe their explanation.& I don’t,and I will continue to express my dismay as I see fit.
@Against All Odds A financial consulting firm. Typical desk job.
for the record chamberlain made 12 starts in ’08 (30 relief appearances) and 31 starts and 1 reliefe appearance in ’09 regular season (with 10 postseason appreaances all in relief).
there seemed to be some confusion about that on the last thread.
when in doubt, go here:http://www.baseball-reference......jo03.shtml
FYI, Piliere chat on top 100 from this afternoon: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/0.....live-chat/
Cervelli has worked at 3rd base before. It never hurts to have versatility on the resume. The same with Martin.
@CC oh ok did you enjoy it? Was it something you had a passion for or just something you did because “a job is a job?”
I remember he came back after the AS Break & was like a new man.then I remember that crazy schedule being put into place & it all going south there after.it’s true by the time the playoffs arrived,he was not inspiring much confidence,& thus the 3-man rotation.never thought that would be a “that’s it,we tried” moment for the yankees.
Glad Pilliere,who actually goes to see Montero,is backing him at catcher.
there seemed to be some confusion about that on the last thread.
–
I think some people were just joking.
J. Alfred,
That’s fine but why don’t you believe their explanantion? I wish he was still starting but if they don’t think he can hold up physically to it then what are you gonna do? Apparently Joba hasn’t made waves about it so either he doesn’t think he can hold up as a starter either or he’s comfortable doing what he’s doing. The Yankees have more information about this than we do….if they had made the decision to not start him.anymore because of his 2009 season then I would question that, but since they are basically saying it’s due to health concerns then ill have to take their word for it.
One cool stat from Joba’s career stats pg:
his 2007 ERA+ was a mind-boggling 1,221.
ConcernedCitizen February 9th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
, Joba said, ?Are you going to finish those fries??
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Did you realize you made a Seinfeld reference?
J. Alfred Prufrock February 9th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Glad Pilliere,who actually goes to see Montero,is backing him at catcher.
Yeah, for those who didn’t read it. Another person who thinks Montero will catch.
Piliere on Montero:
[Comment From Ben Kabak]
How overrated is Montero? He won’t even catch.
3:01
Frankie Piliere: I’ll go with….not overrated. Let’s say for argument’s sake he doesn’t catch. He’s still an elite bat. And, I think he will catch so that’s why he’s up there on the list.
Since this “bigger” is apparently noticeable, when are we going to see pics? I want to see just how noticeable it is.
@AAO – Enjoyed it immensely. It was just time to move on. Didn’t want to get stuck in one place for too long.
# J. Alfred Prufrock February 9th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I remember he came back after the AS Break & was like a new man.then I remember that crazy schedule being put into place & it all going south there after.it’s true by the time the playoffs arrived,he was not inspiring much confidence,& thus the 3-man rotation.never thought that would be a “that’s it,we tried” moment for the yankees.
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Ahhhhhhhh yes those starts after the break. Seems like so long ago now.
@CC I see what you’re saying. Thanks for sharing your experience. Just trying to get a gauge on why ppl take the jobs they do.
I’m job hunting right at the moment.
his 2007 ERA+ was a mind-boggling 1,221.
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True Fact: Swisher’s ERA+ is infinite
Erin February 9th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Did you realize you made a Seinfeld reference?
—
hahaha – touche! “He’s eating the sandwich!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ8HN1lrY3c
Post from previous thread
# Against All Odds February 9th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
# J. Alfred Prufrock February 9th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
That’s what I felt would happen after the injury he sustained in 09. It would take him a couple of yrs to completely strengthen his shoulder. Look at guys like Verlander and Liriano…it took them a while to regain their form.
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Liriano,VErlander,and less established guys like Morrow,Bumgarner.what’s gnawing is I just don’t buy the yankees’ explanation,because it is so preclusive of ANY future at starting.My hunch is they don’t care to spend the time building him back up over time,as per your examples,& that’s just so disappointing of them.
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Yea maybe they don’t even want to go through the whole circus of starting him again. They did take a lot of heat for it and it was something that no one had ever seen before.
It’s funny a couple of yrs back a majority of ppl said pick a role and just stick with it. Now they have picked a role and a even someYankee fans that want him as a reliever question is this the right move?
Joba seems like a great young guy. I hope that the increasing distance from the injury, Rothschild’s presence, and perhaps getting in better shape, will help him return to being a very good pitcher…on the NYY.
hardwired7 February 9th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
One cool stat from Joba’s career stats pg:
his 2007 ERA+ was a mind-boggling 1,221.
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hardwired, i saw that this a.m. and laughed. dont know if thats a comment on how good chamberalin was, how inaccurate era+ is, or just small sample size. probably all 3.
(for comparison, cc had a 134 era+ last season)
Chad, when you get down to ST could you ask Joba about Cash’s comments about his injured shoulder. I know players take the Jeter and deny injuries all the time, but it might be useful to push a little here if you can. I for one would be very interested in any comments he might make, especially anything to do with less velocity or less sharp slider. Touchy areas, of course, but anything which sheds light on this ongoing mystery would be cool.
is Johnny Damon trying out for Jersey shore?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/.....Id=1111042
Joba seems like a great young guy. I hope that the increasing distance from the injury, Rothschild’s presence, and perhaps getting in better shape, will help him return to being a very good pitcher…on the NYY.
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Agree with this 100%
# blake February 9th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
J. Alfred,
That’s fine but why don’t you believe their explanantion? I wish he was still starting but if they don’t think he can hold up physically to it then what are you gonna do? Apparently Joba hasn’t made waves about it so either he doesn’t think he can hold up as a starter either or he’s comfortable doing what he’s doing. The Yankees have more information about this than we do….if they had made the decision to not start him.anymore because of his 2009 season then I would question that, but since they are basically saying it’s due to health concerns then ill have to take their word for it.
————————————————-
I’ve heard ppl suggest Joba doesn’t want to start anymore and that’s one reason why the Yankees are so dead set on keeping him in the pen. Who knows for sure because we fans will never know if he did or didn’t. Plus Joba will never make waves about starting or reliving because he knows the uproar it would cause. I can see the headline now JOBA DEMANDS TO START..lol
I think ppl question their explanation because when it comes to evaluating pitching the Yankees need to improve on it.
tampayank February 9th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
is Johnny Damon trying out for Jersey shore?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/…..Id=1111042
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Fear the hair!
>tampayank February 9th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
is Johnny Damon trying out for Jersey shore?
===============
Not with that physique, he’s not.
blake February 9th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
J. Alfred,
That’s fine but why don’t you believe their explanantion? I wish he was still starting but if they don’t think he can hold up physically to it then what are you gonna do? Apparently Joba hasn’t made waves about it so either he doesn’t think he can hold up as a starter either or he’s comfortable doing what he’s doing. The Yankees have more information about this than we do….if they had made the decision to not start him.anymore because of his 2009 season then I would question that, but since they are basically saying it’s due to health concerns then ill have to take their word for it.
///
Because there are no convincing outward signs that demonstrate an invincible truth that he can “never” start again,which has been their rhetoric.Why was this guy,with a “problem”, in the mix for a starting job in ST 2010? What happened between then & a season of relieving, in which his arm seemed to really respond? We just discussed cases like Verlander,Brandon Morrow,Bumgarner & there are countless others.Chamberlain also did not appear the same pitcher in 2010 he was in 2009,& I dont think role has that much to do with it.He seemed to have found something that let him finish off his heater where he was cutting himself off in ’09.He was throwing with greater power and more movement.There were signs of an arm getting healthier.I can’t see how the book is just closed on this.Literally,I can’t “see” it,so I’m inclined to not believe it.I think they just don’t care to invest the time it might take to school a thorny mechanical pitcher with otherwise great stuff.(I think in their factory-like manner,they want to put in place what yields the most immediate results).I’m not at peace with this decision of theirs,& it’s a heartache as a fan who saw him live many times on what I thought was going to be a special career.If the Yankees have traded on that career to take an easier way out,that just makes me lack respect for the way they do things.We’re not talking about Tyler Clippard.this was an arm to be reckoned with.I keep hoping the new PC will get him on track & then they’ll awaken to the idea that they may have been a tad premature.
the “jersey shore” ppl are a bunch of loser jerks. i have contact with them semi-regularly from my job. i’ve never seen the show, but those people seem to think the world owes them something.
This Year February 9th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Chad, when you get down to ST could you ask Joba about Cash’s comments about his injured shoulder. I know players take the Jeter and deny injuries all the time, but it might be useful to push a little here if you can. I for one would be very interested in any comments he might make, especially anything to do with less velocity or less sharp slider. Touchy areas, of course, but anything which sheds light on this ongoing mystery would be cool.
///
This takes the cake for weird,them announcing he’s damaged goods.Joba never says anything in interviews,but I can’t imagine the writers NOT asking him about this.we’re probably going to hear the company line,I would guess.
Asd
Was it you who was asking about things to do in Tampa that are Yankee related when you come down for Spring Training?
have a good one,guys.
cashman to my knowlege, never called him ‘damaged goods’. he stated what everybody else in and around baseball already knew, that since his injury he hasn’t quite been the same.
big difference.
hardwired, i saw that this a.m. and laughed. dont know if thats a comment on how good chamberalin was, how inaccurate era+ is, or just small sample size. probably all 3.
–
Joba had a 0.38 ERA. ERA+ is not inaccurate, but its not useful for relievers since they pitch so few innings (as ERA is not useful, a metric based on ERA is not going to be very useful). Based on stadium and league, ERA+ looks to show how much better than average a pitcher was.
So if the league’s average ERA is 4.00(ERA+ 100) and your pitcher puts up a 4 ERA, but in a hitters park, their ERA+ will be higher.
Joba had a 0.38 ERA and the league’s ERA was over 4, so he was roughly 1 billion times better than the average pitcher. Too bad he only did it in 24 innings.
Mariano Rivera is the career ERA+ leader (for pitchers with 1000+ IP)
Remember “Jersey Shore Joba” ?
I wonder if he’s put on weight as well.
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/.....alJoba.jpg
thanks for the explanation of era+ but i stand by my accusation of inaccuracy in that stat. if im understanding your explanation, then joba was 85 times better than mo in 2007…
if im understanding your explanation, then joba was 85 times better than mo in 2007
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Rivera had a 3.15 ERA and Joba had a 0.38 ERA?????
Uh yea, dude was better than Mariano Rivera over 24 IP.
>tyanksfan36 February 9th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Asd
Was it you who was asking about things to do in Tampa that are Yankee related when you come down for Spring Training?
===================
It was, to be sure.
J. Alfred Prufrock February 9th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
This Year February 9th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Chad, when you get down to ST could you ask Joba about Cash’s comments about his injured shoulder. I know players take the Jeter and deny injuries all the time, but it might be useful to push a little here if you can. I for one would be very interested in any comments he might make, especially anything to do with less velocity or less sharp slider. Touchy areas, of course, but anything which sheds light on this ongoing mystery would be cool.
///
This takes the cake for weird,them announcing he’s damaged goods.Joba never says anything in interviews,but I can’t imagine the writers NOT asking him about this.we’re probably going to hear the company line,I would guess.
___
Well, agree. Why would you announce for all the world to hear that your pitcher has a shoulder issue and what you believe is an irrevocable drop in velocity? Why say anything damaging about a pitcher you are going to war with? Just to get the fans off your back about 2007 Joba or Joba going back to the SP. Kind of weird, indeed.
also from what i hear about ‘jersey shore’ it pretty much reinforces every bad stereotype of new jersey people. as a person who lives half the time in nj, i resent that.
Bronx Jeers February 9th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Remember ?Jersey Shore Joba? ?
I wonder if he?s put on weight as well.
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/…..alJoba.jpg
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Ys Guy February 9th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
also from what i hear about ‘jersey shore’ it pretty much reinforces every bad stereotype of new jersey people. as a person who lives half the time in nj, i resent that.
This used to bother me. Especially when I went to college in New England, and had to defend NJ over and over again. However, my current thought is let people who have the wrong idea about NJ believe their myth while we enjoy the best kept secret in the country.
tyanksfan36 February 9th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Asd
Was it you who was asking about things to do in Tampa that are Yankee related when you come down for Spring
______
What no pics or news to report?
tampayank February 9th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
is Johnny Damon trying out for Jersey shore?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/…..Id=1111042
**************
He had the mohawk last season.
And I still ;hearts& him
Crap- lets try that again.
I still ♥ him
# Ys Guy February 9th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
cashman to my knowlege, never called him ‘damaged goods’. he stated what everybody else in and around baseball already knew, that since his injury he hasn’t quite been the same.
big difference.
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Cashman never called him “damaged goods” but that’s how he’s being perceived at the moment. With them not even considering him an option to start perception is reality, No?
Post from previous thread from Abe Peterham:
# Abe Peterham February 9th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Dumb question……
how can you be ‘Conditioned ” to pitch, yet fat?
Seriously…..
CC was Big or Fat last year? he looked fat to me….yet pitched great…
now he lost weight,,,why if he was conditioned?
Joba can be fatter looking, but is conditioned to pitch people say?
Dont both conditioning and good weight go together?
So why did CC lose weight?
———————————
Does anyone want to take a stab at that
>However, my current thought is let people who have the wrong idea about NJ believe their myth while we enjoy the best kept secret in the country.
===============
THAT’S the best kept secret in the country? I could’ve sworn it was the fact that Joba is staying in the bullpen… due to how many people consistently insistent on asking about if he’s moving to the rotation.
Mo also has the 2nd best e.r.a. in the modern era (min 1,000 IP).
Ed Cicotte 2.20
Mo 2.23
fwiw, I wasn’t trying to make any kind of statement w/Joba’s 2007 ERA+…just pointing out how preposterous it seems (SSS was obvious since he only had 19 appearances.)
Thought I was over Pettitte’s retirement until I read this in my USA Today Sports Weekly:
Pettitte was 18-10 against the Boston Red Sox, 16-6 against the Tampa Bay Rays, 21-12 against Toronto Blue Jays and a ridiculous 27-6 against the Baltimore Orioles.
ASD
Not sure if you would be interested but if you come down for the last part of spring training, March 19-April 2, The Yankees Minor League teams will also be holding their Spring Training at the Minor League Complex on Himes. Those games all start at 1pm and are free to the public. I have included the link to the page which explains the schedule. Some days, two of the minor league teams will be playing so you will be able to see double the action and double the prospects for no money.
http://springtrainingonline.co.....kees-5.htm
YankeeFem
I had planned on going down there today but when I got to the gas station next to my intern school and realized I had left my wallet at home, I figured it best to just head home. From my Twitter feed, it seems that if I had gone up there then it would have been too late anyway. I think they are only up there until noon and I got out of internship at 12:45. I am planning on making it up to GMS field on Tuesday for the Pitchers and Catchers 1st workout day. Hopefully they are either out there early, or stay out later since I have a class from 12-2 that ill have to schedule around. Darn responsibilities
In case you haven’t seen this – its pretty funny..cashman lovers please view with caution
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/bl.....mlb-319053
Harold Reynolds: I don’t see anyone in the Yankee farm system that I say let me get him back in a trade for King Felix.
Is there a facepalm smiley.
tyanksfan36 February 9th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
I am planning on making it up to GMS field on Tuesday for the Pitchers and Catchers 1st workout day.
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ty-I am so jealous-that’s awesome!
BTW, if you get a picture of Robbie for me when he shows up, I’ll be your BFF.
3. On the subject of the bullpen, the Yankees were quietly excited about agreeing with Luis Vizcaino on a minor-league contract. Vizcaino wore down in 2007 under heavy usage by Joe Torre and did not pitch at all in the majors last year as his arm continued to be problematic. But in Winter Ball the Yankees had the righty throwing consistently in the mid-90s and saw him as a viable candidate to force his way onto the big-league roster.
But late in the Winter Ball season, Vizcaino blew out his Achilles. He is now likely to not pitch this year. And, due to the injury, the Yankees got out of their deal with Vizcaino.
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/.....69OY8dK3kK
The Yankees are under no obligation to reveal the organization’s decision-making process regarding Joba or any of their players.
We’re can certainly be curious but they don’t have to tell us everything that has transpired from the day he was brought up in 2007 through the present.
aao, what cashman said has been common knowlege since the injury occurred. and just like the socks did with pappelbon, they are being cautious with an arm they still think can be exceptional.
i’d like to think joba can start again someday, but i dont blame them for just keeping him where he is so he can work on alot of things.
i think phil’s stint in the BP was very good for his develpment, i think it helps to just face a few guys at a time to really figure out how to get guys out. i said at the time that i thought phil would be a much better starter in ’10 because he worked out of the pen in ’09.
still i dont think chamberlain has shown as much progess in getting guys out in the pen as hughes did, and i dont thing at this point it would be good for chamberlain to get switched again. it might be better for the team in the short run, but not for chamberlain, so its good that he’s in the pen now, imo.
i’ll worry about next year next year.
and again, cashman didnt say anything that hasnt been said by dozens of other guys about joba post-injury.
“# Ys Guy February 9th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
the “jersey shore” ppl are a bunch of loser jerks. i have contact with them semi-regularly from my job. i’ve never seen the show, but those people seem to think the world owes them something.
”
yeah the one kid Vinnie seems to be only one w/ half a brain
and I hope Joba’s weight gain is more muscle vs fat…kind of feel bad w/ the back and forth he’s had w/ his role
I am off to the bank. Have fun!
Erin
From what Ive been told is that on workout days leading up to ST, they open the stadium and all the fields so that the public can come and watch the workouts. The first full workout day is a Sunday, Feb 20 which means I am not in school nor do I work so I will be up there as soon as the gates open. Pray for no rain. Ill def get a pic of Robbie for you. The day before, on the 19th is Rays fanfest so im hoping Johnny is there. Im going to wear my 2009 WS champs shirt and tell him thanks for the double steal! The only thing I worry about on Workout Day is that they wont be in uniform and I wont know who I am looking at lol.
# Ys Guy February 9th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
aao, what cashman said has been common knowlege since the injury occurred. and just like the socks did with pappelbon, they are being cautious with an arm they still think can be exceptional.
i’d like to think joba can start again someday, but i dont blame them for just keeping him where he is so he can work on alot of things.
i think phil’s stint in the BP was very good for his develpment, i think it helps to just face a few guys at a time to really figure out how to get guys out. i said at the time that i thought phil would be a much better starter in ’10 because he worked out of the pen in ’09.
still i dont think chamberlain has shown as much progess in getting guys out in the pen as hughes did, and i dont thing at this point it would be good for chamberlain to get switched again. it might be better for the team in the short run, but not for chamberlain, so its good that he’s in the pen now, imo.
i’ll worry about next year next year.
and again, cashman didnt say anything that hasnt been said by dozens of other guys about joba post-injury.
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It wasn’t common knowledge but unfortunately that’s how he is being viewed at the moment due to the comments he made. He felt the need more than once to clarify Jeter moving to center-field so if Joba is being viewed unfairly why not come out and clear it up.
I thought being in the bullpen last yr would do him well just like it did Hughes. I believed they still had designs on him being a starter but now of course we see that his role on the team is mop up guy/middle reliever.
Hopefully he’s able to take steps forward this yr and put a good season together. I doubt this will be the last time I’m apart of this conversation
I really am disappointed with the medai for reporting Joba appears to look bigger upon arrival today.
Why not post a photo along with the report?
Is that such a difficult task for a reporter to do these days?
If no photo op was available, then it might have been a good idea to not report Joba’s size
to the Yankee fans today.
Obviously there is not much news to report, so the media via Twitter has resorted to
tabloid reporting!
tyanksfan36 February 9th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Erin
From what Ive been told is that on workout days leading up to ST, they open the stadium and all the fields so that the public can come and watch the workouts. The first full workout day is a Sunday, Feb 20 which means I am not in school nor do I work so I will be up there as soon as the gates open. Pray for no rain. Ill def get a pic of Robbie for you
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Awesome. A million thank-yous in advance!!
Perhaps if everyone else is showing up to camp 10, 20 and 30 lbs less and in the best shape of their lives, Joba looking bigger is really just an optical illusion?
“So why did CC lose weight?”
Any time you have lower body joint surgery they recommend you lose some weight to minimize wear and tear on it.
Take care guys enjoy the rest of the day
aao, i saw gammons on baseball tonight talking about joba’s diminished state post-injury more than a year ago. it has been discussed ad-nauseum here and i’ve heard it discussed in detail on the mlb channel. if there is anyone in mlb who wasnt aware of joba’s diminished velocity post injury, they probably work for the madoffs, uh, sorry, the mets…
can i just say that among all the really stupid things about ST that go on annually, the pronunciations of who’s ‘in-shape’, out-of-shape’ and ‘big as a house’ is the most overrated of them all.
at least 90 % of all players who had a down year last year are going to pronounce themselves to be ‘in the best shape of my life’. approximatly half those guys will be released before the season ends.