Chamberlain's father was born on a reservation for the Winnebago American Indian Tribe, but had to leave to be treated for polio. Harlan spent his childhood in hospitals and foster homes and now uses a motor scooter to get around. Now retired from the state penitentiary, he works as a substitute teacher and takes tickets at Cornhuskers' games. Chamberlain still has family living on American Indian reservations.
Joba's niece was unable to pronounce the name Justin correctly, pronouncing it as Joba instead and he grew to prefer this name. He eventually had his name legally changed to Joba.
Chamberlain played for the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers, leading the team in ERA (2.23), opponents batting average (.250), strikeouts (49), and complete games (4), before transferring to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He helped the Cornhuskers reach the 2005 College World Series and helped Nebraska with the team's first-ever CWS win, going 10-2 with a 2.81 ERA for the year; his 2005 stats included 5 double-digit strikeout games. Triceps tendinitis limited his 2006 season but he still pitched in 14 games, posting a 6-5 record, a 3.93 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 89.1 innings.
On August 7, 2007, the Yankees purchased Chamberlain's contract, elevating him to the major leagues for the first time in his career. To make room on their roster, the Yankees designated Miguel Cairo for assignment, and sent down Brian Bruney (coinciding with the activation of Jason Giambi)[1][2] In his debut, a Yankees victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, Chamberlain struck out the first batter he faced and went on to pitch two scoreless innings, striking out two. The television and stadium radar guns clocked his fastest pitch at 100 and 99 miles per hour, respectively, with his slider consistently registering at 87.
On August 30, 2007, Chamberlain threw two pitches over the head of Boston's Kevin Youkilis. Chamberlain was subsequently ejected for the first time in his baseball career. The next day, he was suspended for two games and fined $1,000 for the incident.
Joba wears the number 62 in honor of his best friend and childhood teammate who wore the number 8 and died from brain cancer. Throughout his minor league career, he has always worn a number in which the digits added up to eight (e.g. 62: 6 + 2 = 8) even when he hasn't asked for it.
When Chamberlain takes the mound, he begins with a private prayer ritual which he began doing in Little League. Dating back to the August 30th game (in which he was ejected) against the Red Sox, the Yankee Stadium scoreboard staff began playing Mötley Crüe's "Shout at the Devil" whenever Chamberlain enters a game.
Joba had an extraordinary experience when he was "bugged" in game 2 of the 2007 ALDS against the Cleveland Indians. The game took place at Jacobs Field (in Cleveland) on October 5. With the Yankees leading 1-0, Joba was pitching in the bottom of the eighth when a host of small insects swarmed the field.[3] Joba was repeatedly sprayed down with insecticide, which had no apparent deterrent effect on the midges. The midges distracted him and apparently led him to throw a wild pitch, permitting Grady Sizemore to advance from first to second base. After a sacrifice bunt, Sizemore moved up to third base and, after another wild pitch by Joba, Sizemore scored the tying run. The Indians went on to win the game 2-1.
On October 14, Hank Steinbrenner announced that Joba Chamberlain would begin 2008 Spring Training as a starting pitcher but will limit his innings.
--Wikipedia
UNITED STATES