Friday, September 11, 2009

Baseball Hot Corner: Joba's Regression

The New York Yankees are enjoying a special season. The best record in baseball isn't a fluke. Success is the story. Lost in the shadows of jubilant walk-off-wins, nightly heroes and prodigious production is the stark regression of Joba Chamberlain. The Golden Child has transitioned from dominant stopper to bullpen draining enigma.

For an objective, expert opinion lets hear from former elite hurler, pitching coach and current ESPN analyst Orel Hershiser:

"There is nothing electric going on here."
"He is still a two pitch pitcher."
"I've always wanted to see him in the bullpen."
" The extra three miles per hour is where the outs are."
You won't hear any of that on the YES network.

Joba's body language tells a story. The adrenaline amped, stalking strikeout machine who powered his way to the Great Rivera has been replaced by a rumpled riddle. The next Clemens is no where in sight. Top of rotation starters take time to develop, frustration enters the mix because progress isn't palpable. Joba has followed a myriad of rules to the brink of nowhere. Time for a new plan.



*This post was written by Mark Serio of Baseball Hot Corner*

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