Joba Chamberlain is a brave man. While making it clear that he is preparing to be a starter in the New York Yankees rotation, Chamberlain said he is willing to be the guy who follows the great Mariano Rivera as the Yankees closer if that's what the team ultimately decides.
"There is going to have to be somebody who comes behind him that replaces the legacy that is Mariano," Chamberlain said. "If that opportunity comes, great. If we sit down and they say that, then we'll get after it."
Joba has had a front-row seat to watch Rivera's greatness over the last few years. The fact that he is not intimidated by the possibility of following Mo underscores why people argue that he should be his set-up guy and the closer when Mo decides to retire (hopefully in the very distant future). Joba has the mindset and toughness needed to be a great closer.
"There is going to have to be somebody who comes behind him that replaces the legacy that is Mariano," Chamberlain said. "If that opportunity comes, great. If we sit down and they say that, then we'll get after it."
Joba has had a front-row seat to watch Rivera's greatness over the last few years. The fact that he is not intimidated by the possibility of following Mo underscores why people argue that he should be his set-up guy and the closer when Mo decides to retire (hopefully in the very distant future). Joba has the mindset and toughness needed to be a great closer.
I personally wouldn't want to be the guy that follows Mo. But I think someone like Joba, who has played baseball in New York for several years and is well liked by Yankee fans, would have an easier time assuming the job than some free-agent hot shot. I think the Yankees will eventually give him that chance.
Thanks to Giant27 via Wikipedia for the photo.
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