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Good Times, Bad Times
Jim Chamblee has had his share during a decade in pro baseball.

Dan Hickling
Minor League News

08.09.04 - Jim Chamblee is accustomed to the streaks. For the past 10 years, Jim's hot streaks have provided his baseball career with enough fuel to get him past the cold streaks. There was the week back in 2000, while he was with the Pawtucket Red Sox, when he smacked five homers in the space of five days, including three in one game. Or how about the time in 2002, when his career was in rear gear and he landed back in Double-A. Chamblee proceeded to rip off an impressive hit skein (17-of-18), and knocked in 18 RBI.

Then there was last year, when he yo-yoed between Louisville (AAA) and Chattanooga (AA). The very week he was recalled to Louisville, Chamblee went out hit a torrid .556 with six RBI.

It was good enough to earn him IL Player of the Week honors, but not good enough to keep him in Louisville. A few weeks later, Chamblee was headed back to the netherworld.

"Hitting is streaky sometimes," said Chamblee, who has certainly has seen his share of ups and downs.

The lanky, 6-foot 4-inch Chamblee came up through the Red Sox organization as a power hitter who could play almost any position.

Although he was originally an unheralded 12th round draft choice, he worked his way into being considered a top Sox prospect.

In 1999 with Pawtucket (AAA), Chamblee spent much of his time at second base, and whacked out 24 home runs and 88 RBI (both career highs).

Then came the wall.

Chamblee's numbers declined as did his stock, and before the 2001 season was over, he was shipped to St. Louis in a minor league trade.

The next year brought more disappointment. The Cards sent him down to Double-A New Haven, where he spent most of the season.

Jim was subsequently released and picked up by Cincinnati before last season. Unfortunately, he would have to sell himself to yet another dugout full of skeptics.

"It's tough going from team to team," said Chamblee, who spends most of his time playing third base these days. "It seems like when you change teams, you're always having to prove yourself all over again."

Complicating the situation was the mid-season elevation of Bats manager Dave Miley to the top job in Cincinnati.

That meant that Chamblee had to start from square one with a new skipper, Rick Burleson.

"This year I feel like the Reds know what I can do," he said. "It's just a matter of going out and being consistent."

Still, no matter who is filling up the lineup card one thing remains; you have to be reliable.

"You've just to try to keep doing what you're doing, and have good at bats," Chamblee said. "You want to ride it as long as it will go, because streaks don't happen that often."

Such is the wisdom gleaned from a decade's worth of roller coaster rides.

"As you get older, you mature as a player," he said. "You know more what to do, and how to prepare better. My whole approach is different from a couple years back. (With time) you learn more and more how to play this game."