Our previous interviews with celebrities playing video games exceeded our expectations, so when I got the call for a side session with Joba Chamberlain playing Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, I dashed through Broadway traffic to do the interview. Sponsored by Microsoft and Xbox 360, Joba was taking on other Live gamers in their latest Game With Fame event and as it turned out, I had walked in on the hurler facing someone in "Dream On"... on hard! Check the full interview after the break!
You'd think someone responsible for holding down the New York Yankees rotation wouldn't have time for such trivial pursuits, but to my surprise, Joba was looking at home tickling the plastic fretboard.
"Not the first time you've played this, eh?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I've played before," he said with a grin. He then pulled the Xbox headset closer to his mouth and asked, "Helllooo? Anybody wanna play? Is anybody home?"
I guess this is when I talk to him, I thought.
Me: I know if people interrupted me playing Guitar Hero, I'd just be like, "Get the hell out of here!" Thanks for your time. So, um, what brings you to New York? Crap, no, that's not the right question. How was the All-Star Game?
Joba: Oh, It was good. You know, going to the All-Star game is fun and relaxing a bit. It was great to be there.
Did you watch it from inside the stadium?
Yeah, I was there.
Have you ever been to an All-Star Game?
No, this was my first one. AHA, WE GOT SOME ACTION HERE! (He turns to the TV set and scrolls down to accept a game invite.)
Before you were a Yankee, had you been to Yankee Stadium before?
Umm, you know what, I've never been to Yankee Stadium till last year. Yesterday was something special. To get everyone together on one field—it was unbelievable just to be there and see those guys.
Do you sometimes just like pinch yourself to see if everything is real? A couple years ago you were in the minor leagues and now you're a starter in the New York Yankees rotation.
I feel like I am very blessed with the situation I am in. It's reall about being in the right place at the right time.
Well, it's also good that you could throw 100 mph, no?
Well, yeah, that's not bad. Hold on let me say goodbye to this guy. (Just losing to his latest opponent 94 to 80 percent, he pulls the Xbox Live headset closer to his mouth and says, "You know what man, it was good talking to you, but I'm just gonna play here for a while."
*Pauses*
"Yeah, sounds good man. I'll be there, come find me. I will remember your gamertag if I can later and I'll add you. Alright buddy, take care.")
I see you're playing Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. What's your favorite Aerosmith song?
"Walk This Way" probably.
Which of their songs do you think most guys have gotten laid to?
That is probably a question you can't even answer. They've made so many songs and have been around forever.
I see your point, lots of guys who've gotten laid during an Aerosmith song are dead already. So, having fun on Live?
Yeah, it's fun and it's a cool way to keep up with your friends because you can sit here and talk trash to each other.
Does anyone else on the team play?
A lot of the younger guys do. AH, WE'RE ABOUT TO GO PLAY SOMEBODY.
Like Melky?
No, I don't think he plays. I think [Phil] Hughes and all of them play.
How often do you play?
I haven't played lately. I gotta get back to playing so I can get in my groove.
Does Joe Girardi know that you play?
I mean, he probably knows. I am only 22 so he probably has an idea that I do.
Do you ever think he is going to come to you the night before a start and say something like, "No Guitar Hero for you today!"
We'll see. I am pretty smart about it though.
What are your favorite songs to play, the kind that come up and you're all like, "Lets go!"?
Oh man, I like all different kinds of music. You can hear something and play something different. [Guitar Hero] is fun if you're a music person 'cause you get to enjoy playing it.
What's on your iPod right now?
I like all kinds of music to be honest with you. (He turns to Microsoft's PR person who was fishing for another game for Joba to play.) YEAH, BUT THEY GOTTA BE PLAYING THE GAME.
Looks like you know your way around Xbox Live. What are some of your favorite games?
As soon as I got into [Guitar Hero], it was addicting. (He turns his headset and says, "What's up, bro?" *Pauses* "Nothing. Hold on a second, I'm finishing an interview. I'll talk to you in a second. Okay, later.") Yeah, you know what, everyone played it and I was hurt last year and they would sit here and play Guitar Hero. I was like, "How do you play this for so long? It can't be that addictive." Then they would go to lunch and I would pick it up. They would make fun of me 'cause I would still be playing it when they got back.
I hear you. I played so much my first time on Guitar Hero, my hand got stuck in the claw position.
This one is the most fun for me 'cause you can play against other people. It's been awesome to just sit here and play guys online.
Okay, now that we've established that you're an Xbox All-Star, can we expect you starting for the AL in next year's All-Star game?
That's your goal—to go out and play. More importantly, it's your goal because you get the opportunity.
Are you happier now that you are in the Yankees' rotation?
I am happy just to be pitching. Just to have the opportunity to pitch and help this team win, I am very fortunate.
You guys are chasing the Rays and the Red Sox. Are you surprised that Tampa Bay is up there?
(I get no answer. Joba has found his next opponent and has lost all consciousness of anyone but the butt turd he's playing against.
"Turn the TV down, turn the TV down. Turn the TV down, mom," he mocks his opponent. "Wow, what am I doing? I am not even focused right now," he tells himself as he misses a few notes. "Stop laughing! Tell your mom to turn the TV back up. Mom, turn the TV back up. Mom turn it back up," he continues.
"What did she say? Yeah, this is real mom," he answers seemingly to his opponent's mother's question of whether it was really Joba Chamberlain playing on Xbox.
*The lights to the event space flickers off*
"YES! See, your mom turned the lights off! It is game time! What's your mom's name?"
*Pauses*
"Sharie? Sharie, relax, mom, it's real. Bye, mom.")