Joba Understands Importance of Relief Pitchers

Joba Chamberlain is a kid with his head on straight. After signing autographs for students at Modell’s in Times Square (Gnopple — did you go to see him?), Joba told reporters that whether it’s starting or relieving next year, it’s a “win-win.” The Yankees have indicated that Joba will start, but it’s clear that he just wants to help the Yanks reclaim their place as baseball’s best:

“Whether I pitch 200 innings or 90, I think the jobs are equal. I’m starting another life. I hope I can help them any way.”

Joba is one of the reasons why — despite Boston’s purported rise to being the best in baseball — it’s fun to be a Yankees fan again. And, apropos to this blog, Joba is the most exciting reliever out there. Unfortunately for us, it looks like he’s exiting Loogy Land, leaving us up to our ears in Scott Linebrink, etc.