Joba Chamberlain's Long-Lost Mother Found

Since his rise to fame last year, Joba Chamberlain's personal story is something of minor legend. Raised largely by his father, who suffered through polio and a variety of other obstacles, Joba's tale is one of the power of fathers and sons to thrive under adversity. Thanks to his fastball, Joba's famous and soon-to-be-rich, and Gary Smith, Sports Illustrated's legendary profile-writer, chronicled the whole thing last year.

Missing in that story is what happened to Joba's mother. Colleen Kenney of the Lincoln Journal Star found Jackie Standley -- a former drug and alcohol addict -- and the resulting story is pretty unsettling:

The reporter Googles "Joba Chamberlain," and they figure out together that what she'd read online was a Wikipedia entry, one that got other facts wrong, too. But then they read other profiles of him from major newspaper sites, and most of them repeat the story that Harlan raised Joba alone. "My heart is pounding in my chest, dude. I don't need it. This is worse than drugs. This is going to give me a heart attack. No. I wasn't the greatest mother. But in the bad choices I made, I in turn made good choices. And one was for them to be with their dad a lot."

She wants them to give her yet another chance.

The end result is a portrait of a woman who seems both loving (she has a shrine to her son with both clippings and personal artifacts) and deeply disturbed (she furiously dials reporters to correct errors on Wikipedia, for example). It seems clear why Joba probably doesn't want much to do with her. But it's sad all the same.

Joba Chamberlain Photos

New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain throws a pitch to the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning of the second game their MLB American League baseball doubleheader at Yankee Stadium in New York, September 13, 2008. Chamberlain just returned from the injured list. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 2: Relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain #62 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field September 2, 2008 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joba Chamberlain

Getty Images

New York Yankees' pitcher Joba Chamberlain works from the mound during the seventh inning of their American League baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES

Reuters

New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain works from the mound during the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

NEW YORK - JULY 30: Joba Chamberlain #62 of the New York Yankees deals a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium July 30, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joba Chamberlain

Getty Images

NEW YORK - JULY 30: Joba Chamberlain #62 of the New York Yankees throws to first base for an out against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium July 30, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joba Chamberlain

Getty Images

NEW YORK - JULY 30: Joba Chamberlain #62 of the New York Yankees deals a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles on July 30, 2008 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joba Chamberlain

Getty Images

NEW YORK - JULY 30: Joba Chamberlain #62 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles on July 30, 2008 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joba Chamberlain

Getty Images

BOSTON - JULY 25: Joba Chamberlain #62 of the New York Yankees throws against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on July 25, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joba Chamberlain

Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

9-15-2008 @ 11:03PM

Bob said...

I know one thing. This young man has to deal with this in his own time in his own way. Hopefully no one will try to tell him how he should handle the situation or lay guilt trips on him. I nobody's business but his and if he wants advice he'll seek it from people he trusts. Everyone else should butt out. I watched my mother go through this with her own mother and it's very difficult, I wish him the best.

9-16-2008 @ 10:09AM

Lia said...

There's something sad about the love of a mother that lost direction and purpose in life, to focus on something other than the children. Joba missed out, but look how well he has done, what he has accomplished in spite of all the adversity. I understand his reluctance to be hurt again. And I understand his mother wanting to reach out one more time. My heart goes out to all of them. And I wish them the best. Thanks for your positive comments, Bob, it gives me hope for the human race.

9-15-2008 @ 11:11PM

Jane said...

I have to wonder if she wanted her son to give her a second chance before or after he bacame famous.

9-15-2008 @ 11:18PM

TruthTeller said...

What's sad is that this no name never accomplished anything pitcher is getting blogs like this by Yankee fans with no lives.

Joba the fat pig does not matter and he has done nothing in his career. Nothing

9-15-2008 @ 11:28PM

Carolina said...

TruthTeller, how can you honestly sit there and say he has accomplished nothing in his career? Look up some stats sometime instead of running your mouth, and making a fool of yourself.

9-16-2008 @ 12:31AM

Victor said...

People like you are the reason other people get hurt, talk about no life it sounds like you are the one with no life.What have you ever accomplished probably nothing like your stupid comments,you are an _____hole!

9-16-2008 @ 12:28AM

Tom said...

Hey Truth Teller,
You sound like every other sad Red Sox fan I've ever known...you know the heartbreak and frustration is just around the corner. You don't hate Joba, just the Yankee organization for all the misery the Red Sox have had at the hands of the Yankees. The ride is almost over...the only thing you have to look forward to is when the reign of the Sox ends (very soon) and they go back to the laughing stock of baseball for the next hundred years !! The Yanks are down for 5 to 8 years, normal for any ther organization, while the Sox go down for 2 generations !! I'd pity you but you and Beantown deserve it.

9-16-2008 @ 1:36AM

KathieM said...

What is wrong with you? A good counselor may be in order.

9-16-2008 @ 6:57AM

DQ said...

I'm a Red Sox fan, therefore Yankee Hater by nature but Joba is a great pitcher and I'm sure he will be in the big leagues for a long time. My only wish is that the Yankees trade him so we don't have to face him throughout the year. Go Sox!...but much respect to Joba. Mom probably just wants a piece of the pie so she can buy some crack.

9-16-2008 @ 7:18AM

Connecticut said...

My sympathy to you ...You must be a very unhappy person. Attacking someone personally just because he wears a Yankee Uniform. How SAD.

9-16-2008 @ 7:28AM

ru said...

really truthteller - and what have you accomplished ??? what makes you a judge on this mans life and career ?? have you ever even actually touched a baseball ???

9-17-2008 @ 2:00PM

BANKER said...

YOU ARE MOST LIKELY A RED SUCKS FAN...

9-16-2008 @ 1:58PM

Kamen said...

How can you say he has not accomplished anything?
Obviously you dont play any sports!
He is a PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE! That in itself is an accomplishment that millions have failed to accomplish. He acomplished this with a physically sick father and NO MOTHER YOU INGRATE!
This is not a story about awards, this is a story about survival. If you had been paying attention with your brain you might have been able to figure this out.

9-16-2008 @ 8:41AM

JobaRules said...

You must be one of those dick head Red Sox Fans that cant handly knowing that they will never get as many championships as the Yankees!!!!!!

9-16-2008 @ 9:04AM

Blues 17 said...

Who the H--l are you? This kid is 22 years old. He has done nothing but run right through the minor league system and into the pro's in 1 year. When is the last time someone did that? You don't know what your talking about. And should keep your stupid comments to yourself...!

9-16-2008 @ 9:33AM

P said...

yOU AND IDIOD.."TRUTH TELLER" EVEN YOUR NAME IS A JOKE. Like caroline said look at the stats looser !! You must be Red Sox fan only they are so stupid

9-16-2008 @ 2:30PM

Family Love said...

I have a question for you, how can you say all that stuff when you don't know any real facts? You only know what the paper tells you and that is not all facts it is just opinion and/or how the other person interprets how things went with the writers spin on words intertwined in the whole mess. I know everyone has a right to speech but you should also have all the facts before they open their mouths b/c you don't truly know the impact of your words whether they are fact or fiction. Anyone who knows my family knows the truth and there is no reason to comment further. Joba will know his true fans through this whole mess and all the "TruthTeller's" can just keep on talking. Rock on Joba fans!!!!!

9-15-2008 @ 11:21PM

Marc said...

Don't believe anything that comes out of Yankeeland. Let's not forget the conjob about El Duque and the 'raft.' The raft was a yacht, he actually promised the captain a piece of his earnings -- the Captain had to sue to get anything. El Dugue came with his then 16 year old girlfriend and left his common law wife and children behind. The Yankees spin stories (I'm sure others do to o), let's check on Joba again in a year or two, let's really hear his mothers side of it.

Honestly, there is no need for this article. Joba Chamberlain's family issues should stay within the family. Not be reported about on the internet. Dont you think its hard enough to deal with in real life? This is really sad, that reporters are writing about this, get a life!!!!