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Joba Chamberlain Says He'll Start for Yankees This Season

By DNAinfo Staff on February 3, 2010 3:47pm  | Updated on February 3, 2010 3:45pm

Joba Chamberlain was honored for his work in the community Tuesday night at the 30th annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner.
Joba Chamberlain was honored for his work in the community Tuesday night at the 30th annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner.
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Flickr user Kevin Hutchinson

By Nina Mandell

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain said he plans on reporting to spring training as a starting pitcher while talking to reporters at the annual Thurman Monson dinner in Midtown Tuesday night.

Chamberlain spent the 2009 season as a starter, but was moved back to the bullpen for the playoffs. He said he has every intention on staying the team's starting rotation this season.

“I hope they’re ready because I’ve worked my tail off,” he said.

Chamberlain was honored at the dinner for working with numerous non-profits and hospitals, including Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and ACORN camps for disabled kids.

At a press conference beforehnad, he bantered with reporters about everything from Johnny Damon's non-existant contract with the Yankees to Nick Swisher's appearance on 'How I Met Your Mother.'

Chamberlain said he hadn’t spoken to Damon and was saddened he wouldn’t be in Yankee stripes next year.

“Last time I saw him was on Monday Night Raw,” he joked. "It’s one of those things that you understand that’s that the game of baseball. It’s sad to see him go.”

Teammate Nick Swisher's television debut on ‘How I Met Your Mother’, drew a chuckle from Chamberlain.

“I saw the previews. I didn’t watch the whole thing," he said. "Basketball was on.”

Later, he turned to a reporter and asked, “Did he have a mullet?”

When answered yes, he laughed, “That’s a shocker.”

The annual Thurman Monson dinner honors the former Yankees catcher and team captain and raises money for the AHRC New York City Foundation. The foundation, run by Munson’s widow, Diana, has raised nearly $9 million to assist children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.