There was speculation that former Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis would be hesitant to join the Yankees considering the feud he had with Joba Chamberlain. The Yankees hurler was suspended two games in his rookie season of 2007 for firing a fastball over Youkilis' head, and in 2008 Youkilis started to charge the mound but was stopped after another near-beaning. Chamberlain hit Youkilis with a pitch last season after the infielder had moved on to the White Sox.
After Youkilis accepted New York's one-year, $12 million offer on Monday, Chamberlain did his part to show there were no hard feelings, leaving a voice message for his new teammate Wednesday morning. It's not clear if the two have since connected.
Chamberlain's agent, Jim Murray, offered an assurance that Chamberlain will let bygones be bygones.
"Joba has zero ill will toward him," Murray insisted.
In other news from the Bronx, legendary reliever Mariano Rivera said he plans to be ready for Opening Day after missing most of last season with a knee injury that required surgery in May. Speaking at the team's annual food drive at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, Rivera indicated he's on schedule to be ready for the April 1 opener in New York against the Red Sox.
"I don't see why not," said the 43-year-old, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal (a $5 million pay cut). "We have three to four months to that point. I will be ready."
Read more about that story and others, plus check out videos, trivia and more, at Thursday's Morning Mashup [1].
Links:
[1] http://leeinks.weei.com/sports/2012/12/13/thursdays-morning-mashup-joba-chamberlain-reaches-out-to-new-yankees-teammate-kevin-youkilis
[2] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/general