Jump to content

CC Sabathia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from C. C. Sabathia)

CC Sabathia
Sabathia with the New York Yankees in 2016
Pitcher
Born: (1980-07-21) July 21, 1980 (age 44)
Vallejo, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 8, 2001, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
September 24, 2019, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Win–loss record251–161
Earned run average3.74
Strikeouts3,093
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr. (born July 21, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees. Sabathia batted and threw left-handed.

Sabathia made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2001 and placed second in the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year voting behind 2001 AL MVP Ichiro Suzuki. Sabathia played the first seven and a half seasons of his career with the Indians, with whom he won the 2007 Cy Young Award. He led the Indians to the 2007 AL Central Division title and their first postseason berth since his rookie year. Following a trade, Sabathia played the second half of the 2008 MLB season with the Milwaukee Brewers, helping them make the playoffs for the first time in 26 years.

In the 2008 offseason, Sabathia signed with the New York Yankees for seven years and $161 million; at the time, this was the largest contract ever signed by a pitcher. With the Yankees, Sabathia led all of Major League Baseball in wins in both 2009 and 2010 and won a World Series ring in 2009. He was also voted the 2009 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player. After mid-career struggles attributed to lost fastball velocity, chronic knee injuries, and alcoholism, Sabathia again found success in the late 2010s after reinventing himself as a control pitcher. In February 2019, he announced that 2019 would be his final season as a professional baseball player.

During his career, Sabathia was named an All-Star six times and won the Warren Spahn Award three times in a row (2007–09). In August 2017, Sabathia became the all-time American League leader in strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher. On April 30, 2019, he became the seventeenth pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts. When he retired following the end of the 2019 season, he led all active Major League players in career wins, career innings pitched, and career strikeouts. With 251 career victories, Sabathia is tied with Bob Gibson for the second-most wins by a Black pitcher in major league history (behind Ferguson Jenkins); he was the first pitcher to debut in the 21st century and post at least 250 career wins in regular-season play.

Early life

[edit]

Sabathia was born in Vallejo, California and attended Vallejo High School, where he excelled in baseball, basketball, and football. As a teenager, Sabathia played summer baseball in the Major League Baseball youth program, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI).[1] In baseball, he compiled a win–loss record of 6–0 with an 0.77 earned run average (ERA) and 82 strikeouts in 45+2⁄3 innings pitched during his senior season. He was the top high school prospect in Northern California according to Baseball America.[2] In football, he was an all-conference tight end. He received scholarship offers to play college football, including one from the University of California, Los Angeles; he signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and to play baseball and football for the Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors.[2][3] Sabathia graduated from Vallejo High School in 1998[4] and went directly from high school to minor league baseball.[5]

Professional career

[edit]

Draft and minors

[edit]

The Cleveland Indians selected Sabathia in the first round, with the 20th overall selection, of the 1998 MLB draft.[6] He signed for a $1.3 million signing bonus[7] and pitched in the Indians' minor league system for three seasons.[8]

In 2000, Sabathia was selected for the 28-man United States Olympic Team roster. He appeared in one pre-Olympic tournament game in Sydney, Australia, but was not on the official 24-man, Gold Medal-winning roster because he was called up by the Cleveland Indians. He was named the Indians' 2000 Minor League Player of the Year (receiving the "Lou Boudreau Award").[9][10]

Cleveland Indians (2001–2008)

[edit]

In 2001, at age 20, Sabathia began his rookie season as the youngest player in the Major Leagues.[11] He made his major league debut on April 8, 2001 against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing three earned runs on three hits while walking two and striking out three in 5+2⁄3 innings. Sabathia would take a no-decision in Cleveland's 4–3 win.[12] He ended the season with a 17–5 record and a 4.39 ERA in 33 starts, finishing second in the AL voting for Rookie of the Year behind future Yankees teammate Ichiro Suzuki.[13][14] Sabathia also made his first postseason appearance in 2001, pitching Game 3 of the 2001 American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners. He earned the win, pitching six innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out five in a 17–2 rout.[15][16] At 21 years, 85 days of age, Sabathia became the second-youngest pitcher to win a Division Series game, after Fernando Valenzuela in 1981.[16] The Indians went on to lose the series to the Mariners in five games.[17]

On February 23, 2002, Sabathia signed a four-year, $9.5 million contract with the Indians that contained a club option for 2006.[18] For the 2002 season, he finished 13–11 with a 4.37 ERA in 33 starts.[13] Sabathia ranked tenth in the AL in strikeouts, with 149 in 210 innings.[19] In 2003, Sabathia was 13–9 in 30 starts, and had the tenth-best ERA in the AL (3.60).[13][20] He was also named to the American League All-Star team for the first time. Sabathia made his second All-Star selection in a row as he finished the 2004 season by going 11–10 with a 4.12 ERA in 30 starts, striking out 139 batters in 188 innings.[13]

Sabathia with the Indians in 2006

The Indians picked up Sabathia's $7 million club option for 2006 on April 27, 2005, and he subsequently signed a two-year, $17.75 million deal.[21] In 2005, Sabathia posted a 15–10 record with a 4.03 ERA in 31 starts.[13] He was fourth in the AL in strikeouts/9 IP (7.37), seventh in strikeouts (161) and eighth in wins.[22] He threw the fastest fastball in the AL in 2005, averaging 94.7 miles per hour.[23]

In 2006, Sabathia made 28 starts, going 12–11 with a 3.22 ERA.[13] led the major leagues with six complete games. He also led the AL in shutouts (2) and was third in ERA and eighth in strikeouts (172).[13]

Sabathia "burst onto the national scene" in 2007, "when he won the AL Cy Young after recording a 19–7 record, a 3.21 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, 209 strikeouts, and a major league-leading 241 innings pitched and 5.56 strikeout-to-walk ratio".[24] He collected his 1,000th career strikeout on May 21, 2007, fanning the player who beat him out for Rookie of the Year honors: Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners.[15] He was also named to the American League All-Star team for the third time. On September 28, he became the youngest pitcher to record 100 career wins since Greg Maddux in 1993.[15] On October 23, Sabathia won the Players Choice Award for Outstanding AL Pitcher.[25] His pitching performance led Cleveland to its first American League Central Division Championship since 2001, his rookie season. For his performance, he won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award, joining Gaylord Perry as one of only two Cleveland Indians pitchers to ever win it. (Cliff Lee, Corey Kluber, and Shane Bieber have since also won, with Kluber winning twice.)[26] Sabathia also won the Warren Spahn Award given to the best left-handed pitcher in the Majors.[27] Despite his strong regular season, Sabathia did not perform well against the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. In two starts, he went 0–2 with a 10.45 ERA.[28]

Sabathia began the 2008 season 6–8 with a 3.83 ERA in 18 starts.[13] With the Indians out of playoff contention, and with Sabathia an impending free agent, the Indians traded him.[29][30]

On July 30, 2008, Sabathia took out a large $12,870 ad in the sports section of Cleveland's daily newspaper, The Plain Dealer. The ad, signed by Sabathia, his wife Amber, and his family read:

Thank you for 10 great years ... You've touched our lives with your kindness, love and generosity. We are forever grateful! It's been a privilege and an honor![31]

Sabathia with the Indians in 2007, his Cy Young year

Sabathia finished his tenure with the Indians with 106 wins against 71 losses in 237 starts, a 3.83 ERA and 1.265 WHIP, and 1,265 strikeouts in 1,528+2⁄3 innings.[13]

Milwaukee Brewers (2008)

[edit]

On July 7, 2008, Cleveland traded Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers for Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson.[32] In October, Michael Brantley was added as a player to be named later; unusually, under the trade provisions the Indians were able to select the player themselves because the Brewers went on to make the playoffs.[33] During his press conference, Sabathia told the assembled members of the media that he would prefer his name to be spelled "CC" rather than "C. C."[34]

On September 28, 2008, Sabathia pitched a complete-game four-hitter against the Cubs in the final game of the regular season; the Brewers won, 3–1, and clinching the wild card when the New York Mets lost later that evening.[35] The team's 2008 postseason appearance was its first since 1982.[36] Sabathia started Game 2 of the 2008 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies; it was his fourth consecutive start in which he pitched on three days' rest. Sabathia surrendered five runs in 32⁄3 innings, walking pitcher Brett Myers and giving up a grand slam to Shane Victorino.[37] The Phillies would go on to win the World Series.[38]

For the season, Sabathia was 17–10 overall with a 2.70 ERA in 35 starts[39] and struck out 251 batters in a major-league leading 253 innings, posting 10 complete games (five shutouts).[13][40] Sabathia was sixth in the voting for the 2008 NL MVP award.[41] Sabathia was particularly dominant during his tenure with Milwaukee, going 11–2 across 17 starts with a 1.65 ERA and a 1.003 WHIP, striking out 128 batters against just 25 walks in 130+2⁄3 innings, and throwing seven complete games (three shutouts).[13] Despite only spending half the season in the National League, he finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting and sixth in the NL MVP vote (finishing as the highest-ranking pitcher). He was also awarded the Warren Spahn Award for the second year in a row.[42]

New York Yankees (2009–2019)

[edit]

2009: Major league wins leader, ALCS MVP, World Series champion

[edit]
CC Sabathia in 2009

On December 18, 2008, Sabathia signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the New York Yankees. It was the largest contract for a pitcher in MLB history at the time.[43][44] On March 26, 2009, manager Joe Girardi announced that Sabathia would be the Opening Day starter and the starter for the home opener at the new Yankee Stadium.[45] Sabathia finished the season 19–8 with a 3.37 ERA (the fourth-best in the American League) and 1.15 WHIP across 34 starts. He struck out 197 batters in 230 innings against 67 walks, gave up 197 hits and just 18 home runs, held opponents to a .232 batting average, and threw two complete games (one shutout).[13][46] His 19 wins were tied for the most in the major leagues that year alongside Félix Hernández, Justin Verlander, and Adam Wainwright.[47] He was also awarded the August 2009 AL Pitcher of the Month Award, posting a 5–0 record in six starts with a 2.64 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 44+1⁄3 innings.[48] Sabathia was particularly dominant after the All-Star break, going 11–2 in 15 starts, striking out 102 batters in 101+2⁄3 innings and posting a 2.74 ERA.[49] The Yankees finished the regular season with a 103–59 record, the best in the Major Leagues.[47]

Sabathia earned his first career postseason victory with the Yankees in the first game of the 2009 ALDS against the Minnesota Twins. He gave up two runs (one earned) in 6+2⁄3 innings with eight strikeouts as the Yankees swept the series in three games, their first postseason series win since 2004.[50] Sabathia also won the American League Championship Series (ALCS) Most Valuable Player Award;[51] in two starts against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, he went 2–0 with a 1.13 ERA in 16 innings, throwing eight innings of one-run ball in both of his starts.[52] The Yankees beat the Angels in six games to advance to their first World Series since 2003.[53]

Despite failing to pick up a win in either of his World Series starts, Sabathia was effective, posting a 3.29 ERA in 13+2⁄3 innings to help lead the Yankees to a series win over the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies in six games.[13] The World Series championship was the Yankees' 27th, their first in the new Yankee Stadium,[54] their first since 2000, and the first of Sabathia's career. In five postseason starts, Sabathia went 3–1 with a 1.98 ERA in 36+1⁄3 innings.[13] Sabathia finished fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting behind Zack Greinke, Hernández, and Justin Verlander and 21st in the MVP voting (being one of six Yankees players to receive MVP votes).[13] He also received the Warren Spahn Award for the third year in a row, becoming the first Yankees pitcher to win it since Andy Pettitte in 2003.[55]

2010–2012: Continued dominance

[edit]

On July 4, 2010, Sabathia earned his fourth All-Star selection, and his first as a Yankee. At the time of the All-Star break, Sabathia was 12–3 with a 3.09 ERA in 131 innings (19 starts).[56] On August 22, Sabathia recorded his 16th consecutive start of at least six innings allowing three earned runs or less, breaking a tie with Ron Guidry (from his Cy Young Award-winning 1978 season) for the longest streak in franchise history.[57] His streak was snapped in his next start on August 28, where he allowed five earned runs in seven innings to the Chicago White Sox.[58] The 2010 season was the first in Sabathia's career in which he won 20 games.[59] He ended the season with 21 wins, the most in the major leagues, against just 7 losses. In 237+2⁄3 innings pitched, Sabathia posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, gave up 209 hits, struck out 197 batters against 74 walks, threw two complete games, and held opponents to a .239 batting average. 26 of his 34 starts were quality starts, a career-high.[13][60] The Yankees won the AL Wild Card after finishing second in the AL East to the Tampa Bay Rays with a 95–67 record. Despite posting a 2–0 record in three playoff starts that year, Sabathia posted a 5.63 ERA across 16 innings as the Yankees were defeated in the ALCS by the Texas Rangers in six games. He finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting behind Félix Hernández and David Price, as well as 13th in the MVP voting.[13]

During the offseason, Sabathia was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee, requiring arthroscopic surgery performed by Dr. Christopher Ahmad to repair. Sabathia began therapy immediately after the surgery and began his regular routine in preparation for spring training after three to six weeks.[61][62] He lost weight in an effort to prevent future problems with his knee.[63]

In 2011, Sabathia was the Opening Day starter for the Yankees for the third year in a row. Sabathia was named to his fifth career All-Star Game, replacing James Shields on the roster; however, he elected to pitch the Sunday before the All-Star Game and his spot on the active roster was given to Alexi Ogando. In his final start before the All-Star break, Sabathia threw a complete game, four-hit shutout against the Rays at Yankees Stadium, his first at home since he joined the Yankees. He struck out nine and walked one, outdueling Shields as the Yankees beat the Rays 1–0.[64] He became the first Yankee pitcher to have 13 wins by the All-Star break since Andy Pettitte in 1996, and his 2.72 ERA was the lowest ERA by a Yankee starter in the first half of the season since David Cone in 1999. On July 26, 2011, Sabathia took a perfect game through 6+1⁄3 innings against the Seattle Mariners, retiring the first 19 batters he faced in a game interrupted twice due to rain. He ended up striking out 14 batters through seven innings (setting a career high), and pitching a combined one-hitter.[65] For his performance in July 2011 (a 4–1 record in five starts with a 0.92 ERA, just one home run allowed, 50 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched, and a .140 batting average against), Sabathia was named the AL Pitcher of the Month, his fifth career Pitcher of the Month award and second with the Yankees.[66] Sabathia recorded his 2,000th career strikeout on September 10, 2011, against Torii Hunter of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a 6–0 Yankees loss.[67]

Across 33 starts in 2011, Sabathia had a 19–8 record, a 3.00 ERA, and a 1.23 WHIP. Across 237+1⁄3 innings, he struck out 230 batters against 61 walks (good for 8.72 K/9 and 3.72 K/BB ratios), held batters to a .255 batting average, threw three complete games (one shutout), posted 22 quality starts, and gave up just 17 home runs for a career-low rate of 0.64 home runs per nine innings.[13] His 230 strikeouts marked the third-highest number of strikeouts in a single season in franchise history, the most since Ron Guidry's franchise record 248 strikeouts in 1978, and the second-most in the American League behind Justin Verlander's 250 strikeouts. Sabathia also became the first Yankee pitcher to strike out more than 200 batters in a single season since Randy Johnson in 2005, as well as the first Yankee pitcher to finish in the top two in the American League in strikeouts since Johnson did so that same year. The Yankees won the AL East once again with a 97–65 record, however, Sabathia struggled in the ALDS, posting a 6.23 ERA in 8+2⁄3 innings in three appearances (two starts) as the Yankees were defeated by the Detroit Tigers in five games.[13] Sabathia once again finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting, placing behind Verlander (who won the Cy Young, Triple Crown, and MVP awards), Jered Weaver, and Shields, as well as 14th in the MVP ballot.[68]

Though his contract with the Yankees allowed him to opt out and become a free agent after the 2011 season, Sabathia said he had no intention of opting out of his contract.[69][70] On October 31, 2011, Sabathia announced that he had signed a contract extension with the Yankees. The contract extension added one season (2016) to Sabathia's contract and called for him to be paid $25 million that season. In addition, the extension provided for a vesting option in which Sabathia would be paid $25 million for the 2017 season unless the Yankees exercised a $5 million buyout due to issues with Sabathia's left shoulder.[71]

Sabathia began the 2012 season poorly, allowing a grand slam by Carlos Peña in his first inning of work on Opening Day against the Tampa Bay Rays.[72] He recovered, however, going 9–3 with a 3.45 ERA in his first 15 starts before the All-Star break.[73] He threw a complete game against the Atlanta Braves on June 18, allowing two runs and one walk while striking out ten. It was Sabathia's 34th career complete game and eighth as a Yankee.[74] Sabathia was named an All-Star for the third season in a row and sixth time in his career; however, he was unable to participate as he was placed on the disabled list on June 27 with a strained adductor muscle.[75] Sabathia was placed on the disabled list again on August 11 with soreness in his left elbow,[76] but returned on August 24 against the Cleveland Indians, tossing 7+1⁄3 strong innings in a 3–1 win.[77] He finished the year strongly after returning from injury, post a 2.93 ERA across his final eight starts (despite an average record of 3–3), striking out 57 in 58+1⁄3 innings against nine walks and limiting opponents to a batting average of .215. Despite only making 28 starts in the 2012 season, Sabathia reached the 200+ innings pitched tier for the sixth consecutive year (and seventh overall). Alongside a 15–6 record with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, Sabathia gave up 184 hits in exactly 200 innings, struck out 197 batters against just 44 walks (his 4.48 strikeout-to-walk ratio was the best among all American League starters and his 1.98 BB/9 rate was his lowest since his Cy Young-winning season in 2007), threw two complete games, and held batters to a .238 average.[13] Of his 28 starts, 19 were quality starts. The Yankees won the AL East for the third time in four years with a 95–67 record, the best in the American League.

Sabathia pitching in Game 5 of the 2012 AL Division Series

In the 2012 American League Division Series, Sabathia dominated, winning both the first and fifth (deciding) games against the Baltimore Orioles. After throwing 8+2⁄3 innings and giving up just two earned runs in a win at Camden Yards in Game 1, Sabathia threw his first career postseason complete game in Game 5, allowing one run, four hits, two walks and striking out nine as the Yankees defeated the Orioles in five games.[78] However, Sabathia lost Game 4 of the 2012 ALCS (pitching on an extra day's rest), allowing six runs (five earned) in 3+2⁄3 innings to the Detroit Tigers, as the Yankees, who had already lost Derek Jeter for the rest of the postseason in Game 1 due to a fractured ankle, were swept in four games.[78] On October 25, 2012, Sabathia underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow to remove a bone spur which had been affecting him since his tenure with Cleveland.[79] Despite dealing with the bone spur, Sabathia's overall record in his first four years with Yankees were stellar, posting a 74–29 record with a 3.22 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, throwing 905 innings over 129 starts (88 of which were quality), nine complete games, striking out 821 batters against 246 walks, and giving up just 820 hits and 77 home runs (thereby equating to a seasonal average of 32 starts (22 quality), 18 wins, 226 innings pitched, allowing 205 hits and 62 walks, notching 205 strikeouts, giving up 19 home runs, and posting rates of 0.77 HR/9, 2.45 BB/9, 8.16 K/9, 3.34 K/BB and a .241 opponent batting average).

2013–2015: Seasons of struggle

[edit]

On April 1, 2013, Sabathia made his eighth consecutive Opening Day start (and fifth for the Yankees), allowing four earned runs in five innings in an 8–2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.[80] On July 3, Sabathia collected his 200th career win against the Minnesota Twins.[81] His season ended early due to a strained hamstring. He finished with a 14–13 record and a then-career-worst 4.78 ERA in 211 innings across 32 starts.[13][82]

Sabathia in July 2014 during a minor-league rehabilitation appearance

Sabathia lost 40 pounds (18 kg) in 2013 and arrived at spring training in 2014 weighing 275 pounds (125 kg). He admitted to crash dieting after a cousin of his died of heart disease in December 2012.[83][84] His season was plagued by right knee difficulties. On July 16, it was announced that his season had ended. In only eight starts, Sabathia went 3–4 with a 5.28 ERA.[13] He underwent knee surgery on July 23.[85]

In 2015, Sabathia reported to spring training weighing 305 pounds (138 kg), as he believed his decreased weight had contributed to his poor and injury-shortened 2014 season.[86] During a game against the Angels on June 7, 2015, Sabathia recorded his 2,500th career strikeout, becoming the 31st pitcher in MLB history to reach that milestone.[87]

Sabathia went on the disabled list on August 23, 2015, with right knee soreness. He had a 4–9 record with a 5.27 ERA in 24 games started to that point.[88] He returned to the Yankees on September 9 wearing a knee brace.[89] He pitched to a 2.17 ERA in five starts after returning, including winning the game that clinched the Yankees a playoff berth in the 2015 American League Wild Card Game.[90] However, he missed that game[91] after checking himself into an alcohol rehabilitation facility;[92] the Yankees would go on to lose to the Houston Astros.[91] Sabathia finished the season with a 6–10 record in 29 starts with a 4.73 ERA in 167+1⁄3 innings.[13]

2016–2019: Late-career resurgence

[edit]

The 2016 season was a season of improvement for Sabathia.[93] On April 9, 2016, Sabathia picked up the win in his season debut after limiting the Detroit Tigers to three earned runs in six innings.[94] On May 6, Sabathia was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a left groin strain.[95] On May 20, Sabathia recorded his 100th win as a Yankee in an 8–3 victory over the Oakland Athletics, going six innings, allowing one run and striking out eight.[96] Making 30 starts in 2016, Sabathia finished 9–12 with a 3.91 ERA in 179+2⁄3 innings (16 quality starts) with 152 strikeouts and a 1.32 WHIP.[13] Sabathia's 2016 improvement was credited, in part, to his continued use of an effective knee brace.[97] On October 11, Sabathia underwent a routine surgery on his right knee.[98] The Yankees did not appear in the 2016 postseason.[99]

Sabathia in 2017

Sabathia experienced a career renaissance in 2017,[100] transitioning successfully from being a pitcher who relied on power and velocity to one who relied on command and pinpoint control.[101] On June 13, Sabathia injured his left hamstring; he was placed on the disabled list two days later.[102] He returned on July 4, starting against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.[103] On August 1, Sabathia made his 500th career start in a losing effort against the Detroit Tigers.[104] On August 8, he was taken out of a game after the third inning after experiencing pain in his surgically repaired right knee;[105][106] he later landed on the 10-day disabled list.[107] After returning from the disabled list on August 19, he went 5–0 over his last eight starts as he helped the Yankees clinch a wild card spot. Sabathia finished the 2017 season 14–5 with a 3.69 ERA, 120 strikeouts and a 1.27 WHIP in 148+2⁄3 innings (27 starts).[13]

In the 2017 playoffs, Sabathia started Games 2 and 5 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians. In Game 2, he gave up two earned runs in 5+1⁄3 innings of a Yankees loss. In Game 5, he struck out nine in 4+1⁄3 innings, and the Yankees won, advancing to the ALCS for the first time since 2012.[108][109] Sabathia started Game 3 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros, earning the win after throwing six shutout innings and allowing only three hits.[110] Sabathia also started Game 7 of the ALCS; he took the loss as the Astros defeated the Yankees, 4–0, to win the series in seven games.[111] The Astros went on to win the 2017 World Series.[112]

Sabathia in July 2018

On December 26, 2017, Sabathia re-signed with the Yankees on a one-year contract for $10 million for the 2018 season.[113] On June 12, 2018, Sabathia recorded his 1,500th strikeout as a Yankee in a 3–0 win over the Washington Nationals, joining Andy Pettitte, Whitey Ford, Ron Guidry and Red Ruffing on the list of pitchers with 1,500 strikeouts as Yankees.[114] On August 13, Sabathia went back on the disabled list due to right knee inflammation.[115] Sabathia was ejected on September 27, 2018, for intentionally hitting Rays catcher Jesús Sucre with a pitch; the Rays' Andrew Kittredge had previously thrown at Yankee Austin Romine's head in retaliation for Sabathia having hit the Rays' Jake Bauers on the arm earlier in the game.[116] Sabathia received a five-game suspension for throwing at Sucre, to be served in 2019.[117] He finished the season with a 9–7 record and a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts.[13][118]

The Yankees defeated the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 American League Wild Card Game to advance to the 2018 American League Division Series against the rival Boston Red Sox.[119] Sabathia started Game 4 of the ALDS and took the loss, giving up three runs in three innings. The Red Sox won the game, 4–3, to defeat the Yankees three games to one.[120] The Red Sox went on to win the 2018 World Series.[121]

On November 7, 2018, Sabathia re-signed with the Yankees on a one-year contract for $8 million.[122] Sabathia was cleared to begin working out in January 2019 following a December 2018 procedure to insert a stent into his heart.[123] On February 16, 2019, he announced that 2019 would be his final season.[124][125][126]

2019: Final season

[edit]

Sabathia began the 2019 season on the 10-day injured list as he continued to recover from heart surgery.[127] He made his first start of the season on April 13, pitching five innings of one-hit baseball in a 4–0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.[128] On April 30, 2019, he recorded his 3,000th strikeout against John Ryan Murphy of the Arizona Diamondbacks, becoming only the third left-handed pitcher to record 3,000 strikeouts.[129] Sabathia was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 23 due to right knee inflammation. He received a cortisone shot to treat the pain, and was informed that he would need knee replacement surgery after his baseball career ended.[130] On June 19, he recorded his 250th career win in a 12–1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Sabathia pitched six innings, struck out seven, and surrendered one run.[131] Sabathia accepted an invitation to appear in the 2019 MLB All-Star Game in Cleveland to throw the ceremonial first pitch; during the game, he made a mound visit to Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.[132] On July 28, Sabathia again went on the 10-day injured list due to the same knee injury.[133] On August 31, Sabathia was placed on the 10-day injured list for the third time in 2019.[134] On September 18, he made his last Yankee Stadium regular-season pitching appearance, receiving a standing ovation from the home crowd.[135] He finished the season with a 5–8 record and a 4.95 ERA in 23 games (22 starts).[13]

Sabathia was not named to the Yankees' 25-man roster for the 2019 American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins.[136] However, he was later activated on the Yankees' roster for the 2019 American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, as a reliever.[137] Sabathia pitched in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. He threw 20 pitches, retired two batters with a line-out, hit batsman, and flyout, but could not finish the inning due to discomfort. The Yankees removed Sabathia from their roster the next day with a subluxated left shoulder, and replaced him with Ben Heller.[138] This move rendered Sabathia ineligible to pitch in the World Series had the Yankees advanced.[139] Sabathia told the media that his exit from the game in his announced final season was "kind of fitting. I threw until I couldn't anymore."[138]

On October 21, 2019, Sabathia officially announced his retirement from baseball with the following Twitter message: "It all started in Vallejo, CA, in my grandma's backyard throwing grapefruits at a folding chair. I could have never imagined how much this game has meant to me since. Through the ups and downs, baseball has always been my home. From Cleveland, to Milwaukee, New York, and everywhere in between, I'm so thankful to have experienced this journey with every teammate past and present. All I ever wanted was to be a great teammate and win. I'm so proud of this year's team, we fought 'til the end. Love you guys! I'm going to miss going out there on the mound and competing, but it's time to say farewell. Thank you, Baseball."[140] Sabathia finished his eleven-year tenure with the Yankees with a 134–88 record (a .604 winning percentage) in 307 games (306 starts), a 3.81 ERA and 1.272 WHIP, and 1,700 strikeouts in 1,918 innings pitched.[13][135]

Post-playing career

[edit]

On April 6, 2022, Sabathia was hired by Major League Baseball to serve as a special assistant to commissioner Rob Manfred.[141]

Awards and highlights

[edit]

Player profile

[edit]
CC Sabathia (left) and Mark Teixeira during the 2009 World Series parade

In August 2017, Sabathia became the all-time American League leader in strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher.[144] At the time of his retirement following the 2019 season, he led all active Major League players in career wins, career innings pitched and career strikeouts.[145] During his peak from 2005 to 2012, Sabathia was the winningest pitcher in major league baseball.[146] He posted a cumulative record of 137–67 (.672) with a 3.24 ERA (including five straight seasons of 17+ wins from 2007 to 2011), threw 1,788+1⁄3 innings and struck out 1,614 batters (averaging more than 220 innings pitched and 200 strikeouts per season), started 257 games and posted 173 quality starts, finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting five times, received four All Star berths, and recorded a 3.26 FIP, 135 ERA+, 40.8 bWAR, and 43.6 fWAR.[13] Sabathia was one of the most dominant pitchers in the vicennial (twenty year) period of 2000 to 2020; posting more wins, games started, innings pitched, and strikeouts than any other major league pitcher during that time period.[147][148]

Although he pitches and bats left-handed, Sabathia is actually right-handed.[149] He states that he started throwing a ball with his left hand at the age of two with the help and advice of his father.[150]

As a hitter, Sabathia acquired 25 hits in 121 at-bats (127 plate appearances) for a .207 batting average.[151] On June 21, 2008, Sabathia hit a 440-foot home run off of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park.[152] On July 13, 2008, in his second game with the Brewers, Sabathia hit his second home run of the season off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey, becoming the third pitcher in history to homer in both leagues in the same season and the first since Earl Wilson did it in 1970 with Detroit and San Diego.[153]

Sabathia's reputation of pitching a high number of effective innings each season led to sports broadcasters often referring to him as a workhorse; discounting his injury-shortened 2014 campaign Sabathia averaged over 200 innings a season in his career (he reached the benchmark eight times, including seven consecutive seasons of at least 200 innings pitched from 2007 to 2013).[154]

Personal life

[edit]
Sabathia with his wife in 2019

Sabathia and his wife, Amber, have four children: a son Carsten Charles III (born 2003), a daughter Jaeden Arie (born 2005), a daughter, Cyia (born 2008), and a son Carter (born 2010). The family lived in Fairfield, California outside his hometown of Vallejo near San Francisco until he signed with the Yankees. Then the family moved to Alpine, New Jersey.[155] Nevertheless, Sabathia remains connected to his hometown. In January 2012, Vallejo High School honored Sabathia by declaring "CC Sabathia Day" and renaming the school's baseball field in his honor; Sabathia's PitCCh In Foundation had helped to renovate the field.[156] The PitCCh In Foundation is a charity that supports inner city children. In 2014, the foundation supported a team of runners in the 2014 New York City Marathon.[157]

On October 5, 2015, Sabathia announced that he was checking himself into Silver Hill Hospital,[158] an alcohol treatment center.[159] During the previous weekend, Sabathia had been binge drinking in the hotel while the Yankees were on the road in Baltimore; he had also been drinking in the clubhouse after a game that had been cancelled due to rain.[160][161] "'I love baseball and I love my teammates like brothers,' said Sabathia in a statement, 'and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series. It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. I want to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player.'"[162] In March 2016, Sabathia opened up about his battle with alcoholism in an essay for The Players' Tribune.[163][164]

In July 2017, Sabathia started the R2C2 podcast with co-host Ryan Ruocco as part of The Players' Tribune.[165] In May 2018, the podcast moved to the UNINTERRUPTED podcast network.[166]

In December 2018, after developing shortness of breath and other symptoms, Sabathia underwent a cardiac catheterization and was found to have a blockage of a coronary artery. A stent was placed to open the blockage.[167]

After his heart scare, Sabathia undertook a major exercise and diet program, losing 60 pounds from his peak weight.

In 2021, Sabathia's original team, the Cleveland Indians, dedicated a Cleveland baseball field in his honor, named "CC Sabathia Field at Luke Easter Park" (Easter himself also being a former Indian).[168]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities MLB Web Site". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "CC Sabathia Biography". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
  3. ^ McCarron, Anthony (December 11, 2008). "The real CC: New Yank an ace off field". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  4. ^ Cunningham, Sean (September 7, 2018). "Yankees star CC Sabathia gives back to hometown Vallejo". KXTV. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  5. ^ DaSilva, Alex (May 11, 2018). "Yankees: Is CC Sabathia's career coming to an end?". Yanks Go Yard. FanSided. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  6. ^ "1st Round of the 1998 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  7. ^ McCarron, Anthony (June 7, 2016). "Memory of MLB draft still vivid for CC Sabathia — 'I was in art class, third period'". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  8. ^ Lapointe, Joe (March 3, 2008). "For Sabathia, Big Plans and Yet an Uncertain Future". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  9. ^ "Minor League Player of the Year by Team". The Baseball Cube. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  10. ^ Murr, Chuck (November 28, 2007). "Cabrera, Laffey Receive '07 Honors". Scout.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  11. ^ Brown, Tim (December 16, 2017). "Sources: CC Sabathia returning to the Yankees". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  12. ^ "Baltimore Orioles vs Cleveland Indians Box Score: April 8, 2001". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "CC Sabathia Stats". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  14. ^ Wells, Adam (February 16, 2019). "Yankees News: CC Sabathia Announces He Will Retire After 2019 MLB Season". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  15. ^ a b c McCarron, Anthony (December 10, 2008). "Through the Years: Newest Yankees ace CC Sabathia". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  16. ^ a b Muskat, Carrie (October 14, 2001). "Indians roll over Mariners". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on February 2, 2002. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  17. ^ "2001 AL Division Series - Seattle Mariners over Cleveland Indians (3-2)". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  18. ^ "Indians Sign Sabathia To 4-Year Deal". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 24, 2002. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
  19. ^ "2002 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  20. ^ "2003 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  21. ^ "Sabathia to make $24.75 million next three years". ESPN. Associated Press. April 27, 2005. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  22. ^ "2005 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2005 » Pitchers » Pitch Type Statistics". FanGraphs. Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  24. ^ Clary, Heath (June 8, 2015). "Rough 3-Year Stretch Shouldn't Overshadow CC Sabathia's Outstanding Career". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  25. ^ "Outstanding Pitcher of the Year Award on Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  26. ^ Beck, Jason (November 13, 2007). "Sabathia takes home AL Cy Young". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on May 26, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
  27. ^ "Oklahoma Sports Museum – Warren Spahn Award". Oklahoma Sports Museum. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
  28. ^ Linneweber, Colin (October 21, 2009). "CC Sabathia's The Greatest Free-Agent Pitcher The Yanks Have Ever Signed". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  29. ^ "Brewers let go of four prospects to acquire Sabathia". ESPN. July 8, 2008. Archived from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  30. ^ Rosen, Adam (September 16, 2010). "Mr. Clutch: CC Sabathia and the Top 10 Pennant-Race Performances Ever". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  31. ^ "Sabathia takes out ad in paper thanking Cleveland fans". ESPN. July 30, 2008. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
  32. ^ "Brewers acquire CC Sabathia". Milwaukee Brewers (Press release). MLB.com. July 7, 2008. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
  33. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (October 3, 2008). "Brantley completes deal for Tribe". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
  34. ^ "Punctuation purge: New Brewers P Sabathia ditches dots in 'CC'". Sports Illustrated. CNN. July 7, 2008. Archived from the original on July 12, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008 – via Associated Press.
  35. ^ "Brewers beat Cubs 3–1, clinch playoff spot". Quad-City Times. Associated Press. September 28, 2008. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  36. ^ Borzi, Pat (September 28, 2008). "Brewers Earn First Playoff Berth Since 1982". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  37. ^ "CC, Brewers stumble and fall into 0–2 hole". Deseret News. October 3, 2008. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  38. ^ Kepner, Tyler (October 29, 2008). "For Phillies and City, Title Is Worth the Wait". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  39. ^ Hoch, Bryan (December 7, 2017). "CC Sabathia deal key at Yankees' 2008 Meetings". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  40. ^ "Fantasy spring training: Bringing the heat". New York Post. March 15, 2010. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  41. ^ Leach, Matthew (November 17, 2008). "Crowning achievement: Pujols NL MVP". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
  42. ^ "C.C. Sabathia repeats as Spahn Award winner". The Oklahoman. Associated Press. December 5, 2008. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  43. ^ "New York Yankees sign left-handed pitcher CC Sabathia". New York Yankees. MLB.com. December 18, 2008. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  44. ^ "Yankees finalize deals for Sabathia, Burnett". San Diego Union-Tribune. December 18, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  45. ^ Feinsand, Mark (March 26, 2009). "Joe Girardi tabs CC Sabathia to start Opening Day & new Stadium opener". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  46. ^ Schwartz, Jordan (November 25, 2009). "Grading the New York Yankees: Pitchers". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  47. ^ a b Z, Jeffrey (October 3, 2009). "New York Yankees: The New Kids In The Bronx". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  48. ^ "MLB Major League Baseball Pitchers of the Month". Baseball Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  49. ^ "CC Sabathia 2009 Pitching Splits". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  50. ^ "2009 AL Division Series – New York Yankees over Minnesota Twins (3–0)". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  51. ^ "New York Yankees' CC Sabathia named ALCS MVP after playoff rebirth". ESPN. Associated Press. October 26, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  52. ^ "2009 ALCS – New York Yankees over Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (4–2)". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  53. ^ Kepner, Tyler (October 26, 2009). "After Six Years, Center Stage Again". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  54. ^ Hoch, Bryan (May 7, 2018). "CC Sabathia will retire if Yankees win it all". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  55. ^ Patterson, Matt (October 26, 2009). "Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia wins Warren Spahn Award". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  56. ^ "CC Sabathia 2010 Pitching Splits". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  57. ^ Axisa, Mike (August 22, 2010). "Sabathia makes Yankee history". River Ave Blues. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  58. ^ "New York Yankees vs Chicago White Sox Box Score: August 28, 2010". Baseball Reference. August 28, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  59. ^ Kaplan, Thomas (September 18, 2010). "Sabathia Reaches 20 Wins for the First Time". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  60. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (February 13, 2019). "CC Sabathia's chances at the Hall of Fame". New York Yankees. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  61. ^ Costa, Brian (October 28, 2010). "Yankees' CC Sabathia Having Knee Surgery". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
  62. ^ McCarron, Anthony (October 29, 2010). "CC has surgery (updated!)". New York Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on November 1, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
  63. ^ Hale, Mark (February 12, 2011). "Weight loss should help Yankees' Sabathia with knee". New York Post. Archived from the original on February 14, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  64. ^ Freeman, Rick (July 10, 2011). "Sabathia's complete game shutout lifts Yankees over Rays". New York Post. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  65. ^ "Seattle Mariners vs New York Yankees Box Score: July 26, 2011". Baseball Reference. July 26, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  66. ^ "Yankees' Sabathia named AL Pitcher of the Month for July — Baseball Wires". Miami Herald. August 3, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2011. [permanent dead link‍]
  67. ^ "Angels' Dan Haren K's 7 in 4-hit shutout of Yankees". ESPN. Associated Press. September 10, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  68. ^ "2011 Awards Voting". Baseball Reference. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  69. ^ Hale, Mark (August 23, 2010). "Sabathia blanks Mariners, says he's staying in The Bronx". New York Post. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  70. ^ King III, George A. (December 8, 2010). "Sabathia won't opt out if Yankees pay Lee more". New York Post. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  71. ^ "Yanks, Sabathia reach five-year, $122M deal". ESPN. October 31, 2011. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  72. ^ McCarron, Anthony (April 7, 2012). "Girardi's first-inning plan is not so grand". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  73. ^ "CC Sabathia 2012 Pitching Splits". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  74. ^ McCarron, Anthony (June 19, 2012). "Yankees' CC Sabathia dominates in complete-game victory, which could be start of something big for lefty". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  75. ^ Brennan, Sean (June 27, 2012). "Yankees place ace CC Sabathia on 15-day disabled list with strained muscle, Joe Girardi only expects him to miss two starts". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  76. ^ "Yanks put Sabathia back on DL". Times Herald-Record. Associated Press. August 12, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  77. ^ "Sabathia stops Yanks' streak, beats Indians 3-1". New York Post. August 24, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  78. ^ a b "CC Sabathia Postseason Pitching Game Logs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  79. ^ Marchand, Andrew (October 26, 2012). "CC Sabathia has elbow surgery". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  80. ^ "Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees Box Score: April 1, 2013". Baseball Reference. April 1, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  81. ^ "CC Sabathia gets 200th career win as Yankees edge Twins". USA Today. Associated Press. July 4, 2013. Archived from the original on July 7, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  82. ^ Kerber, Fred (September 21, 2013). "Sabathia: 'I'll be back to myself' for Yankees in 2014". New York Post. Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  83. ^ Harper, John (February 14, 2014). "Slimmed-down CC Sabathia focused on being ace of Yankees staff again". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  84. ^ Justice, Richard (February 14, 2014). "Richard Justice: Slimmed-down CC Sabathia ready to succeed". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  85. ^ Hoch, Bryan (July 18, 2014). "CC to have season-ending surgery". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  86. ^ Matthews, Wallace (February 21, 2015). "Sabathia weighs in at 305 lbs., on purpose". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  87. ^ Woods, Alden (June 7, 2015). "Sabathia records 2,500th strikeout, but then gets ejected as Yanks complete sweep over Angels". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on June 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  88. ^ King III, George A. (August 25, 2015). "CC Sabathia rules out surgery, stays open to bullpen role". New York Post. Archived from the original on October 10, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  89. ^ Kerber, Fred (September 10, 2015). "Why CC Sabathia is so hopeful after first start in knee brace". New York Post. Archived from the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  90. ^ Kerber, Fred (October 2, 2015). "Worst fears to clincher: CC Sabathia comes full circle in a month". New York Post. Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  91. ^ a b Martin, Dan (October 1, 2017). "If this was CC Sabathia's last Yankees start, he made it count". New York Post. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  92. ^ "CC Sabathia re-signing with Yankees; agent says pitcher has 'unfinished business'". WABC-TV. ESPN. December 16, 2017. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  93. ^ Herrmann, A.J. (September 29, 2016). "CC Sabathia: 'I want to pitch after next year'". YES Network. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  94. ^ "Yankees win in Sabathia's return, 8-4 over Tigers". ESPN. Associated Press. April 9, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  95. ^ Suss, Nick (May 6, 2016). "CC placed on DL; Nova slides into rotation". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  96. ^ Matthews, Wallace (May 20, 2016). "C.C. Sabathia earns 100th win as a Yankee in first start off the DL". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 24, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  97. ^ "Yankees notes: CC Sabathia due for knee procedure". North Jersey Media Group. October 6, 2016. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  98. ^ "Yankees' CC Sabathia Has Surgery On Troublesome Right Knee". CBS New York. October 11, 2016. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  99. ^ Axisa, Mike (September 30, 2016). "Why the Yankees had a good year in 2016 despite falling short of the playoffs". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  100. ^ Botte, Peter (October 6, 2017). "CC Sabathia's renaissance of a season leads him back to where his career began". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  101. ^ Schwartz, Jon (October 3, 2018). "Yankees Magazine: The Take And The Give". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on May 16, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  102. ^ Simon, Alex (June 15, 2017). "Yanks place CC Sabathia (hamstring) on DL". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  103. ^ Miller, Randy (July 4, 2017). "CC Sabathia flops in return, Yankees dumped by Blue Jays | Rapid reaction". NJ.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  104. ^ Kramer, Ari (August 2, 2017). "Sabathia makes 500th career start". Newsday. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  105. ^ Hoch, Bryan; Chisholm, Gregor (August 9, 2017). "Donaldson's 2 HRs lead Blue Jays over Yanks". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  106. ^ "MRI shows no new CC Sabathia knee damage; status for Sunday unclear". ESPN. Associated Press. August 9, 2017. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  107. ^ "Yankees' CC Sabathia hits 10-day DL with right knee inflammation". SNY. August 13, 2018. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  108. ^ Clair, Michael (October 6, 2017). "CC Sabathia was back in Cleveland for Game 2 and his slider was on point". MLB.com. Cut4. Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  109. ^ Ghiroli, Brittany (October 11, 2017). "CC Sabathia exits in 5th inning of ALDS Game 5". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  110. ^ Herrmann, Mark (October 17, 2017). "Sabathia again at his best after a Yankees loss". Newsday. Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  111. ^ "Astros beat Yankees 4-0 in Game 7, reach World Series". ESPN. Associated Press. October 22, 2017. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  112. ^ Martin, Jill (November 2, 2017). "World Series 2017: Houston Astros win first title". CNN. Archived from the original on May 7, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  113. ^ "CC Sabathia's $10M deal finalized by Yanks; payroll up to $178M". ESPN. Associated Press. December 26, 2017. Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  114. ^ Rieber, Anthony (June 12, 2018). "CC Sabathia has become the Yankees stopper". Newsday. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  115. ^ Bell, Mandy (August 13, 2018). "CC Sabathia to DL with right knee inflammation". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  116. ^ Hoch, Bryan (September 27, 2018). "CC Sabathia ejected for HBP, two innings shy of $500,000 bonus". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  117. ^ Hoch, Bryan (September 29, 2018). "MLB announces discipline for CC, Kittredge". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  118. ^ Caldera, Pete (November 6, 2018). "CC Sabathia returning to New York Yankees on one-year deal". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  119. ^ Witz, Billy (October 4, 2018). "Yankees Blast Away Nerves, and the A's, for a Wild-Card Win". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  120. ^ Ehalt, Matt (October 9, 2018). "CC Sabathia suffers loss in what could be final start with Yankees". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  121. ^ Berg, Ted (October 28, 2018). "World Series: Red Sox beat Dodgers to win fourth title in 15 years". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  122. ^ Hoch, Bryan (November 6, 2018). "Yankees sign CC to one-year deal". New York Yankees. MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  123. ^ "New York Yankees' CC Sabathia cleared baseball activities after stent blocked artery". ESPN. Associated Press. January 8, 2019. Archived from the original on April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  124. ^ "MLB notebook: Sabathia retiring after 2019 season". Reuters. February 17, 2019. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  125. ^ "MLB notebook: Sabathia retiring after 2019 season". Yahoo! Sports. Reuters. February 17, 2019. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  126. ^ Zencka, TC (February 16, 2019). "CC Sabathia Officially Announces Retirement After 2019 Season". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  127. ^ Boland, Erik (March 7, 2019). "CC Sabathia OK with starting season on injured list for Yankees". Newsday. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  128. ^ Caldera, Pete (April 13, 2019). "New York Yankees losing streak over: CC Sabathia did everything right". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  129. ^ Sanchez, Jesse (May 1, 2019). "CC reaches one of MLB's most iconic milestones". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  130. ^ Ackert, Kristie (June 1, 2019). "CC Sabathia's knee will just have to get him through the rest of this season". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  131. ^ Newport, Kyle (June 19, 2019). "Yankees News: CC Sabathia Becomes 14th Pitcher to Get 250 Wins and 3K Strikeouts". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  132. ^ Davidoff, Ken (July 9, 2019). "Why Yankees' CC Sabathia accepted late All-Star Game invite". New York Post. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  133. ^ "Sabathia put on IL again by Yankees with knee inflammation". WTIC-TV. Associated Press. July 28, 2019. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  134. ^ Joyce, Greg (August 31, 2019). "Yankees send CC Sabathia to IL with future in doubt". New York Post. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  135. ^ a b Smith, Alex (September 18, 2019). "CC Sabathia reflects on his 'emotional' final regular season start at Yankee Stadium". SNY. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  136. ^ Martin, Dan (October 3, 2019). "CC Sabathia not on Yankees' ALDS roster vs. Twins". New York Post. Archived from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  137. ^ Rivera, Marly (October 12, 2019). "Yankees include Aaron Hicks, CC Sabathia on ALCS roster". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  138. ^ a b Axisa, Mike (October 18, 2019). "CC Sabathia's 19-season MLB career ends with ALCS shoulder injury: 'I threw until I couldn't anymore'". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  139. ^ Hoch, Bryan (October 18, 2019). "CC taken off Yanks roster, ending storied career". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  140. ^ Dorsey, Russell (October 21, 2019). "CC says farewell to baseball with heartfelt note". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  141. ^ "C.C. Sabathia hired as special assistant to Major League Baseball". NBC Sports. April 6, 2022. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  142. ^ Tylt, The (February 18, 2019). "Is Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia a first-ballot Hall of Famer?". NJ.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  143. ^ "New York Yankees' CC Sabathia wins Warren Spahn Award". ESPN. Associated Press. December 8, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  144. ^ Hoch, Bryan (August 19, 2017). "Yankees' CC Sabathia AL lefty strikeout leader". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  145. ^ "MLB notebook: Sabathia retiring after 2019 season". Yahoo! Sports. Reuters. February 17, 2019. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  146. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2012 » Pitchers » Dashboard". FanGraphs. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  147. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2020 » Pitchers » Dashboard". FanGraphs. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  148. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2020 » Pitchers » Standard Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". FanGraphs. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  149. ^ Brennan, Sean; McCarron, Anthony; Feinsand, Mark (August 12, 2011). "New York Yankees lefthanded throwing ace CC Sabathia says his dominant hand is actually his right". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  150. ^ "For NY Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, the right choice was going left". You're Killin' Me, Smalls. August 12, 2011. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  151. ^ "CC Sabathia » Statistics » Batting – FanGraphs Baseball". FanGraphs. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  152. ^ "Sabathia's long solo homer". MLB.com. June 21, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  153. ^ Witrado, Anthony (July 13, 2008). "Sizzle and Pop". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 17, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
  154. ^ "Yankees' CC Sabathia plans to remain a workhorse". St. Petersburg Times. February 21, 2010. Archived from the original on April 5, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  155. ^ Karni, Annie; Cohen, Stefanie (August 16, 2009). "Secrets of the Yank Wives Club". New York Post. Archived from the original on August 18, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  156. ^ "Vallejo baseball field renamed for Yankees pitcher, native son". Vallejo Times Herald. January 28, 2012. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  157. ^ Coffey, Wayne (October 27, 2014). "CC Sabathia's wife Amber gears up for NYC Marathon". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  158. ^ King III, George A. (November 6, 2015). "CC Sabathia bares soul on his 3-year spiral of alcoholism". New York Post. Archived from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  159. ^ "CC Sabathia of New York Yankees checking into alcohol rehabilitation center". ESPN. October 5, 2015. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  160. ^ Smith, Emily; Fears, Danika; Rosario, Frank (October 6, 2015). "The weekend-long bender behind CC Sabathia's rehab stay". New York Post. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  161. ^ Matthews, Wallace (October 6, 2015). "Subtle warning signs seen in Baltimore for New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  162. ^ Axisa, Mike (November 5, 2015). "CC Sabathia on alcohol rehab: 'There was no other option for me'". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  163. ^ Sabathia, CC (March 8, 2016). "My Toughest Out". The Players' Tribune. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  164. ^ "CC Sabathia opens up about alcoholism battle in powerful essay". Fox Sports. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  165. ^ "The Players' Tribune: R2C2 Episodes". Podchaser. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  166. ^ "R2C2 is UNINTERRUPTED Episodes". Podchaser. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  167. ^ "CC Sabathia of New York Yankees had heart surgery, to be ready for spring training". ESPN. December 21, 2018. Archived from the original on April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  168. ^ Axelrod, Ben (August 20, 2021). "Cleveland Indians dedicate Luke Easter Park Field to CC Sabathia". WKYC. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to CC Sabathia.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by American League Pitcher of the Month
May 2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Johan Santana
 Players Choice AL Outstanding Pitcher
2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by National League Pitcher of the Month
July 2008, August 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Pepsi MLB Clutch Performer of the Year
2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by AL hits per nine innings
2001 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CC_Sabathia&oldid=1258797046"