Chamberlain leaves team to be with family
Yankees rookie Joba Chamberlain released the following statement Monday after returning to Lincoln to be with his ailing father:
"As many of you know, my family is dealing with a serious, personal medical condition involving my father Harlan,” Chamberlain said. “We cannot express how much we appreciate the enormous amount of love and compassion that has been shown to my family by so many.”
Harlan Chamberlain was in critical but stable condition at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, the statement said.
Joba Chamberlain was at the hospital on Monday, as was Nebraska baseball coach Mike Anderson. Chamberlain played for the Huskers in 2005 and 2006.
Chamberlain has been placed on the major league bereavement list and would be away from the team for as long as necessary, but at a minimum of three days.
There is no limit on the time a player can remain on the bereavement list.
"I want to thank my teammates and my manager for giving me so much support when I have needed it most,” Chamberlain said in the statement. “Their actions are the reason I was able to reach my father's side as quickly as I did. I ask that you please afford my family the privacy that it needs to deal with my father's condition appropriately. In turn, I will provide updates through the Yankees as they become available to me."
Family members told the Journal Star that Chamberlain was undergoing tests at the hospital on Monday after collapsing at his Lincoln home on Friday evening.
Joba Chamberlain learned of the news after the Yankees’ loss at Boston on Sunday evening.
A team official told the New York Daily News that Chamberlain's sister called the Yankees during the eighth inning of New York's 8-5 loss.
The Daily News said the reliever spoke with his sister after the game and broke into tears, and manager Joe Girardi tried to console him.
The Yankees flew on to Tampa, where they were set to begin a series with the Rays on Monday night. Chamberlain flew from Tampa to Lincoln on Monday.
Harlan Chamberlain, a familiar face to most Husker fans, has suffered from polio since he was 9 months old, and uses a motorized scooter.
He attended New York's season opener earlier this month, and was at last week's series in Kansas City.
Prior to the Royals’ home opener, Joba Chamberlain said that his father’s on-going health issues have had a profound impact on him over the years.
“I’ll never take anything for granted,” Chamberlain said. “I have to play this game and take care of my family, but I know it can all be taken away in one day.
“I learned real quick that life’s too short to take anything for granted.”
Stay with the online edition for updates.
"As many of you know, my family is dealing with a serious, personal medical condition involving my father Harlan,” Chamberlain said. “We cannot express how much we appreciate the enormous amount of love and compassion that has been shown to my family by so many.”
Harlan Chamberlain was in critical but stable condition at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, the statement said.
Joba Chamberlain was at the hospital on Monday, as was Nebraska baseball coach Mike Anderson. Chamberlain played for the Huskers in 2005 and 2006.
Chamberlain has been placed on the major league bereavement list and would be away from the team for as long as necessary, but at a minimum of three days.
There is no limit on the time a player can remain on the bereavement list.
"I want to thank my teammates and my manager for giving me so much support when I have needed it most,” Chamberlain said in the statement. “Their actions are the reason I was able to reach my father's side as quickly as I did. I ask that you please afford my family the privacy that it needs to deal with my father's condition appropriately. In turn, I will provide updates through the Yankees as they become available to me."
Family members told the Journal Star that Chamberlain was undergoing tests at the hospital on Monday after collapsing at his Lincoln home on Friday evening.
Joba Chamberlain learned of the news after the Yankees’ loss at Boston on Sunday evening.
A team official told the New York Daily News that Chamberlain's sister called the Yankees during the eighth inning of New York's 8-5 loss.
The Daily News said the reliever spoke with his sister after the game and broke into tears, and manager Joe Girardi tried to console him.
The Yankees flew on to Tampa, where they were set to begin a series with the Rays on Monday night. Chamberlain flew from Tampa to Lincoln on Monday.
Harlan Chamberlain, a familiar face to most Husker fans, has suffered from polio since he was 9 months old, and uses a motorized scooter.
He attended New York's season opener earlier this month, and was at last week's series in Kansas City.
Prior to the Royals’ home opener, Joba Chamberlain said that his father’s on-going health issues have had a profound impact on him over the years.
“I’ll never take anything for granted,” Chamberlain said. “I have to play this game and take care of my family, but I know it can all be taken away in one day.
“I learned real quick that life’s too short to take anything for granted.”
Stay with the online edition for updates.
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