Athletes are in the precarious position of having one singular moment define their entire career. While that one instant can become an albatross for a lifetime, other times it can be a blessing from above. Just ask Chris Chambliss.
In his third season as the YankeesΓÇÖ batting coach, Chambliss will forever be linked to the home run that began a Pinstripe run of glory. The first basemanΓÇÖs blast in the ninth inning of Game Five of the 1976 American League Championship Series catapulted the Bronx Bombers into the World Series and Chambliss into Yankee lore.
Defining the hitting coachΓÇÖs career by one at-bat would short-change his contributions to the game as a player and coach. The consummate teacher, Chambliss teaches with a quiet demeanor, yet his words carry the weight of a thundering home run. His 16-years in the majors and 185-career homers give him much credibility.
The 49-year-old is enjoying his second stint as a Yankee coach. His first season was in 1988. Chambliss also worked as the St. Louis CardinalsΓÇÖ hitting instructor from 1993-95 under then-manager Joe Torre.
ChamblissΓÇÖ home run may have been a blast from the past, but Yankee fans are glad to have him in the here and now.
