Sports and alcohol have had a tragic history together, ruining many careers and lives along the way. The relationship between drug and sports has been no better. Sports stars often try to push the laws on DUI , only to end up finding out the cost of a DUI. That cost is sometimes fatality, jail time, the end of their career or at the very least public humiliation.

Here, at Electro-Mech, we not only offer electronic baseball scoreboards but also the latest baseball news. Check out our other articles concerning all things baseball. For now, we’ll focus on Chamberlain’s (not so) best move yet.

The Joba Chamberlain fastball was not what attracted the attention of the Nebraska police officer, it was his erratic driving. Moments later Chamberlain was arrested for violating the laws on DUI for speeding, having an open container, and speeding. After delaying his arraignment four different times, Chamberlain plead guilty in April 2009. Even worse for Chamberlain, the video of the arrest was leaked on to the internet recently so fans were able to see the inebriated antics of their pitcher on Youtube. Among complaints about the rudeness of New York drivers, he made an unfortunate comments about Yogi Berra’s stature.

This is another chapter in the rocky start of the Joba Chamberlain fastball era in New York. After pitching lights out in 10 innings at the end of the 2007 season, the 23-year-old went 100 innings with a solid 2.60 ERA but a so-so 4-3 win loss record. At the end of the season he was hurt and diagnosed with tendinitis in his rotator cuff, which basically ended the season for him. This season was supposed to be the year that he makes an impact on the Yankees’ starting rotation. The indirect cost of a DUI on a Tennessee night might be that this is not his year. So far he has pitched two games with no decision and though he has fanned nine batters he also has given up a 5.46 ERA so far.

Chamberlain is trying to make the best of a bad experience. The plea deal with the Tennessee court was that he serve probation, which he is doing by checking in routinely with his assigned officer. However, he has also tried to right himself in the eye of the public. On his own volition, he has spoken at many schools and adult programs discussing the hazards of drunk driving. Obviously since he ran afoul of the laws on DUI he has authority and he also has the audience’s attention since he is on their beloved Yankees. He is trying to make up for what Chamberlain says will be his only transgression in his career.

As a pitcher, Chamberlain has the tools to make an impact as a starter in the Yankees rotation. Originally sought for his consistently mid-90s MPH fastball (clocked at over 99 MPH on occasion), he also has a 70-rated slider (out of 80) that keeps batters guessing and a curve that rises from the middle to high and travels in the 70 MPH range. The New York Post recently nicknamed him affectionately “Joba the Hot” since Joba is pronounced JAHBAH.