Ryan Ward Guilty of Impersonating Yankee Joba Chamberlain

by Jon Azpiri | February 12, 2009 at 10:14 am

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Ryan Ward of New Jersey pleaded guilty to impersonating New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain. The 30-year-old Ward was fined $2,518 and was placed on two years' probation for disorderly conduct.

Ward, who New York media dubbed "Joba the Not" claims that he was constantly being mistaken for Chamberlain. He decided to take advantage of the coincidence by asking local bars and restaurants for free food and drinks. He also admitted to signing more than 100 autographs and dating several women who all thought he was Joba Chamberlain.

Ward's downfall came after an August 1 incident at a bagel shop. Ward walked in and asked staff "Do you know who I am?" and received free bagels and a bottle of water.

He spent a day and a half in the county jail and faced a charge of criminal simulation, an indictable offense. The charge was later reduced to theft by deception. Ward was ultimately put on probation after he agreed to enter treatment for alcohol addiction.