Cashman And Girardi Defend Joba's Fist Pump

I really can't believe people are making such a big deal about this, and that it's still being talked about. Does anyone say a word when Johnathan Papelbon goes nuts on the mound, or when K-Rod does his little dance? Or how about the many other pitchers who show the same type of excitement on the mound, does anyone complain?

I remember a game against the Tigers in '06 or maybe it was last year when every single guy out of the pen pumped their fist all the way into the dugout. Two weeks ago against in Cleveland C. C. Sabathia struck out A-Rod and Shelley Duncan and cursed his way into the dugout, haven't heard a word about it since.

It seems that every team outside of New York is allowed to show some emotion, but not New York teams, Yanks or Mets - remember all the nonsense about Reyes showing too much emotion last year? Well Reyes hasn't been the same player since. And let's not do the same thing to Joba.

Anyway, here's what Cashman and Girardi had to say about it to The Record's Pete Caldera:

"It's part of his DNA. ... I have no problem with it. And if anybody else has a problem with it, sorry," Cashman said Friday, when asked about the 22-year-old's penchant for shouting, fist pumping and twirling after registering a significant strikeout.

"I wouldn't take away Shelley Duncan's elbow bashing, and I wouldn't take away Joba's fist pump," Cashman said by phone from his office.

"I can understand [those who oppose Chamberlain's fist pump] if you don't know a player's heart," Girardi said. "I don't think Joba's ever showing anyone up. That's his emotion."

"I know he's been talked to," Cashman said of clubhouse veterans addressing Chamberlain's exuberance, as happened with Duncan during spring training. "I respect everybody's opinion on the matter."

In his final analysis, "I say, 'Energize the franchise,' " Cashman said, citing the crowd's excitement in a late-game moment. "Whatever energizes the franchise is a good thing."

OK, I'm down talking about this fist pump nonsense. . . Well, at least until the next idiot complains about it.