Joba Chamberlain Reflects on His Career and Kevin Youkilis
It’s been nearly ten years since Joba Chamberlain last took the mound, but the former Yankees pitcher has still kept his competitive spirit. Recently, during an appearance on “The Eddy Mata Show,” he was asked about his least favorite player from his decade-long career.
Without missing a beat, Chamberlain named Kevin Youkilis.
Now 40, Chamberlain made a splash in the league back in 2007 with the Yankees, showcasing his thunderous fastball and impressive stats.
That season was marked by some memorable—and controversial—moments, especially his encounters with Youkilis. On August 30, 2007, Chamberlain threw two fastballs over Youkilis’ head, resulting in his ejection, a $1,000 fine, and a two-game suspension for what was termed “inappropriate conduct.”
Chamberlain and Yankees captain Joe Torre insisted there was no intent to hit Youkilis, saying he had merely “slipped.” However, the tensions didn’t end there; in the following year, an incident at home plate between the two players fueled further drama.
A few weeks later, Chamberlain sent another fastball near Youkilis’ head, and while some might say he wasn’t actually hitting him, the pattern seemed to emerge. Yankees announcer Michael Kay remarked on the unusual frequency of these close calls.
Chamberlain later admitted, “I just didn’t like him,” mentioning that their rivalry began when Youkilis was with the Red Sox, and suggesting he felt ignored at times.
Throughout their encounters, Youkilis hit Chamberlain well, boasting a .333 batting average with a home run and four RBIs in just 23 at-bats. Eventually, due to an injury to Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees signed Youkilis as a free agent before the 2013 season.
Initially, Chamberlain tried to downplay their past confrontations, emphasizing that any conflict had been exaggerated. He stated, “There’s nothing between us. I’m glad he’s on my side.”
However, despite their professional front, Chamberlain noted that Youkilis’s silence after joining the team felt off. He recounted trying to reach out, only to be ignored before spring training. It seems the relationship was complicated, to say the least.
Sadly, Youkilis’s time with the Yankees was brief due to a recurring back injury, limiting him to only 28 games that season, during which he struggled at the plate.
Reflecting on it all, Chamberlain remarked, “Then he can go fly a kite,” indicating that, while they had shared a field, the tension remained unresolved.
