JOBA, MARIANO & RESPECT

I have respect for others, and it’s important that people have respect for me.  If they do, then I smile, the system about respect and human decency is working the way it should.  If they don’t, I will come at you with a line of questioning that will turn you into mush. I'll attack, not physically, but my tone changes, I become argumentative. No one is better than you and you are no better than anyone else when it comes to 2 people chatting it up.  Sorry, I just don’t believe in disrespect, no one should. We’re all human beings here, let's figure it out.

Whatever the real story is behind the Joba Chamberlain, Mariano Rivera shouting match, it’s clear that their friendship has now re-bonded and it’s over for them and for the Yankees. You can read about them burying the hatch HERE.  But to the fans who read and watched this fishbowl fight take place or reported about, well, they will form a perception of who was right and who was wrong, regardless of getting all the facts.  Unfortunately for Joba, 90% will side with Mariano Rivera on this one. Is that fair? Probably not, but reputation is a pretty big thing and Joba has a few shots against him.  Mariano does not. Again, not fair, but it's about reputation and perception.

Now I get Joba’s thinking in this situation, but even if I didn’t, you could also easily chalk it up as "Joba having a bad day."  Joba Chamberlain isn’t a bad person.  But neither is Mariano.  The timing was wrong, that's it.  Mariano, who has been iconic since the day he took over the closing role was doing what he does best…chatting it up with the media so they could do their job.  If you ask any of these sports writers, they will all say the same thing…if you need a soundbite… go to Mariano, go to Derek Jeter, go to Andy Pettitte and you’ll get what you need. Mo knows this, he’s been there many, many times. He’s formed relationships with these writers. So, he was doing his duty. 

On the other side, Joba was “with family” at the same time. OK, I get it. Joba’s talking, laughing, having a good time. Meanwhile, Mariano was all business at that moment and kindly asked Joba to tone it down.  Joba didn’t want to and came back at the veteran.  Eventually it resulted in Mariano telling Joba to “shush.”  Now… I love Mariano, he’s the man. I've met him. He's gentle, he looks you in the eye, he's soft spoken, but I'm going to keep this real;  If someone tells me the “shush”, it’s game on.  At that point my mouth detaches from my brain and who the hell knows what I’m saying to Mariano at that point.  Is that wrong? Sure it is.  Was it a public embarrassment? Absolutely, but it goes back to respect for each other.

Now, like I said earlier, this incident between the 2 of them if behind them, they have apologized, but it’s what will happen next that will determine if Joba Chamberlain tapped the final nail into his Bronx Coffin.  No matter how it is reported, Joba Chamberlain is at fault here. Again... not fair, but it's about reputation and perception.  I’m here to tell you that Mariano was at fault too.  That’s no shot at Mo, he’d admit it. But for the fans, the timing of this fight, the whole 9 yards, Joba has sealed his fate. Whether that's right or wrong is for another post.

There are too many antics surrounding Joba that make this spectacle his last.  The Yankees will not tolerate any of this anymore, especially in a season of lousy ticket sales and the "Mariano Rivera Tour."  They want this season to be perfect, and with the recent rejuvenation of guys like Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay and Travis Hafner, they want to keep it positive right now. This extra unneeded aggravation, is getting listed on Joba’s record, especially with the trade deadline coming.

So what happens? While the incident is over, the story is just beginning.  We’ve seen the building blocks stacked in Joba-land for a few years now.  It starts with the bugs in Cleveland, goes to the "Joba Rules", the trampoline incident to the snapping at the great Mariano Rivera.  Tack on the recent rumors involving Texas Rangers scouts looking at Joba performances and add in the Yankees looking at Rangers prospects, there doesn’t seem to be much time left for Joba.  Is it all fair? Some are legitimate beefs against Joba... some of the criticism is totally unfair.  But one thing is clear, Joba could be one of the nicest teammates out there for all we know, but this incident may have cost him his pinstripes.

Finally, let me say this.  Joba Chamberlain is one of those guys we’ve watched grow up.  No one ever said it’s easy being a New York Yankee and he’s had a lot of issues over the years. That being said, I like him and I want him here.  But he unfortunately messed with the great Mariano Rivera. Mo is like “the Don” of the Yankees.  Whether or not Mariano took it personally is irrelevant.  There are plenty in the family that want him gone.  I don’t… but it’s seems crystal clear to me that the end is near for Joba… I just don’t see it any other way at this point...

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