KANSAS CITY — Joba Chamberlain was smiling. The former major-league pitcher wore a shirt with “Retired” across the chest. His beard was long and specked with gray and he blended in with the fans before Game 4 of the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Except Chamberlain had bling nobody else could claim. On his right hand, he wore the World Series ring he earned with the Yankees. On his left hand was the ring he got with the Royals in 2015.
“(Batting practice) gave me goosebumps,” he said.
Chamberlain, 39, said he decided on a whim to make the three-hour drive from his home in Lincoln, Neb. to attend Thursday’s game with several friends. Chamberlain had seats not far behind the Yankees’ dugout. He signed autographs for several fans who recognized him.
Which team was he rooting for? He didn’t say, but he raised the hand with the Yankees title ring. Chamberlain still says “we” when referring to the Yankees.
“I’m so grateful and honored that I was able to wear these uniforms and be able to win,” he said. “But it’s also like the greatest joy for me to watch them.”
But he added that he hoped the best-of-five series — of which the Yankees were up, 2-1 — would go the distance.
“I want to see Game 5,” he said. “I want more baseball. That’s it. I love the game. I love everything about it.”
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Joba Chamberlain returned to Kauffman Stadium for Game 4 of the ALDS. (Brendan Kuty / The Athletic)
The former top Yankees prospect-turned-reliever who started 31 games for the 2009 team said he was thrilled by the emergence of one particular Yankees player: Luke Weaver.
Chamberlain could relate to Weaver in that Weaver also was a highly-regarded starting pitching prospect who eventually found success in the bullpen. For the Yankees, Weaver has become a lockdown closer since all but inheriting the job when the team demoted Clay Holmes in September to lower-leverage spots.
“What Weaver has done is incredible,” Chamberlain said. To take the bull by the horns, just the mentality of like, ‘OK,’ now this is mine. Knowing the struggles the bullpen has had off and on throughout the year.”
Chamberlain added that he was glad to see Giancarlo Stanton play hero with his go-ahead solo home run in the Yankees’ Game 3 win on Wednesday night.
“Yeah, he may not outrun the cattle truck outside,” Chamberlain said. “But he’s going to change the game.”
Chamberlain spent seven seasons with the Yankees and made six appearances with Kansas City in 2015. He pitched his last major-league game in 2016.
Before the game, Chamberlain chatted with Mike Harkey, who was the Yankees’ bullpen coach in 2009 and holds the same job now. Chamberlain said he saw several familiar faces still with the team, but so many had gone elsewhere.
He said he recently dropped off his son, 18-year-old Karter, at Hutchinson Community College in Nebraska and that he felt like he had no reason Thursday not to attend the playoff game.
Chamberlain said it didn’t feel like it had been 15 years since the Yankees had won their last World Series ring. At the time, Chamberlain was 23 years old.
“You’re making me feel even older than I am,” he said.
Chamberlain said he planned to enjoy the game in the stands and even buy a plastic helmet with ice cream in it.
“I’m going to be a fan,” he said. “I’m not sitting on my couch and watching it on TV. I’m actually here getting to watch it. It’s just an absolute honor to be a part, obviously, of the Yankees organization and Kansas City for the little bit that I was and to be able to be here and watch two great baseball teams battle it out.”
(Photo of Joba Chamberlain from 2013: Elsa / Getty Images)