As the New York Yankees head into the postseason many have speculated if CC Sabathia would be rostered. Look no further than David Cone for your answer.
When the New York Yankees signed CC Sabathia prior to the 2009 MLB season, they did so for one reason: to bring home the team’s 27th world title. Now, as the southpaw’s illustrious career comes to a close, many are questioning whether the team should roster him in their quest for the team’s 28th championship.
2019 has been a rough season for the veteran lefty. After announcing that this would be his final MLB season, Sabathia went on to have arguably the worst year of his career. In 22 starts this, CC has posted the worst FIP (5.73) and WHIP (1.420) of his career.
Similarly to another Yankees pitcher, David Cone, who helped the team win three titles between 1996-1999, the team struggled with the decision to roster the veteran for the 2000 postseason after a more than sub-par performance during the regular season.
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That year, in 29 starts, Cone pitched to a 4-14 record and a 6.91 ERA. It was by far the worst season of his career.
However, seeing the value in rostering an aging pitcher with postseason experience, the team opted to give Cone a spot in the 2000 postseason… and it paid off in a big way.
That postseason, coming in in relief in two games, Cone faced four batters and sat them all down. Most impressively, in game four of the World Series against the New York Mets, Cone got the ball from Joe Torre to face Mike Piazza in the 5th inning of a game the Yankees led 3-2.
Piazza, having had arguably the best season of his career presented as the best chance for the Mets to tie the game. However, this is where David Cone’s veteran presence and experience, despite his atrocious regular season, came into play.
”Mike traditionally takes a strike, usually,” Cone recalled. ”I was a little careful with the first pitch, up and in. Then I threw a fastball away for a strike he took, then I threw two straight sliders. One he missed and one he fouled off.”
On the next pitch, Piazza popped up to Luis Sojo and the team retained their lead. The Mets would go on to lose the game 4-2.
It’s not every pitcher who has the presence of mind to go after who would go on to finish third in the NL MVP voting that season. However, it is the reason why a veteran pitcher with tough postseason experience brings value to a team, even when his regular season stats don’t necessarily say so.
At this point in his career, CC Sabathia won’t sneak fastballs past elite hitters. He, like Cone, however, could have the presence of mind to know how to attack his opponent and perhaps even get an important out in an important series.