Rivera, Chamberlain have little spat
New York Yankees pitchers Mariano Rivera and Joba Chamberlain created a small media stir on Saturday with a less-than-cordial exchange in the dugout before a game against the Royals in Kansas City.
While Rivera, baseball's career saves leader, was conducting an interview in the dugout after meeting some local families that had endured hard times, Chamberlain was signing autographs in front of the dugout communicating rather loudly with family members in the stands in order to be heard over the public-address system.
Rivera didn't like it and gestured to Chamberlain to lower his voice. According to The New York Times, Chamberlain went up to Rivera after the interview and said, "Don't shush me." Rivera thought his teammate was kidding, but Chamberlain persisted, telling him "I'm serious. Don't ever shush me."
Rivera brushed off the exchange and pitched in Saturday's game, posting his 14th save of the season in 14 opportunities. The 43-year-old veteran said he would handle the matter internally with Chamberlain.
Chamberlain, who is on the disabled list with an oblique injury, said before Sunday's game against the Royals that there was no need to apologize to Rivera.
"For what? It's over with. It's done," Chamberlain said. "It's really not an issue in the first place."
