JOBA CHAMBERLAIN: IN DETROIT & BETTER THAN EVER!

I’ve lived in Central New Jersey for just about 11 years now and one of the attractions of the area is Arm and Hammer Park- Home of the Trenton Thunder, the Double A Affiliate of the New York Yankees.  When my son was old enough to play Little League, he got to stand on the field during the National Anthem, paired with a Thunder player.  I remember watching Joba Chamberlain pitch and growing up, my son, wore a shirt that said Joba Knows.

He was mesmerized with him and he was our guy, the guy, who we watched make it to the big leagues.  He made us Trenton proud bringing to fruition the vintage saying “Trenton Makes, the World Takes.”  But then, things got rough for #62 in the big leagues. 

University of Colorado Professor Richard Rogers co-authored a study “which provides an intriguing look inside the height, weight and body mass of Major League Baseball players as it relates to public trends.”  Rogers explains, “There is great national concern about the growing obesity epidemic. Most evidence of the increasing risk of obesity over time is based on a few selected sources of data and is relatively recent. We were intrigued to find that, similar to the general population, there is a long-term trend among MLB players toward increasing height, but also increasing weight and body mass.”

Joba was one of those guys but things have changed drastically since he became a Detroit Tiger.

According to NBC Sports Hardball, “Joba Chamberlain has lost weight (15 pounds) to get in better shape, and seems to have kind of personality fans are going to like. By the way, to lose the weight, the right-handed reliever became a fish eater after having fish “maybe three times in my life” before his new nutrition program began.”  I say good for you, Joba!  As a runner who is conscientious about her fitness and food intake, getting healthy is a great way to increase your energy, face your stress and add years to your career and life.  Look at Derek Jeter, a lean 175 pounds for his 6’3” physique.  As he enters his 40s this season, Derek continues to be the model player, regimented, disciplined and in great shape.

So, Joba may be in the best shape of his life at 28, and why not, no better time than the present.  With February approaching, statistics say that most people have abandoned their New Year’s resolutions.  Let’s hope that guys like Joba, CC, and other players who could stand to shed a few pounds, stay with it.  Nothing better than being in the best shape of your life, no matter how old you are. 

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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