Call to the pen
Fansided

Yankees: Thanks For The Memories CC, Next Stop Cooperstown

By Thomas Conroy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: Head athletic trainer Steve Donohue walks CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees off the field during the eighth inning of game four of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on October 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: Head athletic trainer Steve Donohue walks CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees off the field during the eighth inning of game four of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on October 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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CC Sabathia
(Photo by Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

Sabathia Was Special Since His Major League Debut

People who watched Sabathia since his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians knew he was going to become a special talent. 2001 was his rookie season and the 20-year old went on to record a 17-5 mark with a 4.39 ERA. Sabathia finished second to Ichiro in the American League Rookie of the Year Award vote. His next career milestone came in 2007 as Sabathia won the Cy Young Award by going 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA and led the Indians to a postseason appearance.

However, October baseball was nothing more than a struggle for him. In three starts, Sabathia was dismal as he failed to attack the strike zone and got hit pretty hard. His worst performance in the 2007 playoffs was in Game 1 of the ALCS. Sabathia gave up eight runs to the Boston Red Sox in 4.1 innings and didn’t seem ready for the moment.

This misfortune was a valuable lesson in his preparation for becoming an ace of a starting rotation. Skeptics never questioned Sabathia’s ability to win a big game again, especially after leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 2008 playoff berth. Sabathia was near perfect after being acquired from the Indians near the trade deadline. He went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts.

Sabathia came to New York after signing the largest free agent (7-years/$161 million) contract ever given to a starting pitcher and he was worth every dollar. It was a perfect partnership as both sides needed to rid themselves of past October failures. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman knew the condition of his locker room was fractured and Sabathia was the perfect addition to unite a group of high-priced stars. Quickly, Sabathia earned his pinstripes, especially when the Yankees needed to end a lengthily losing streak, he was the choice to start that game. Plus, come postseason time, he took the ball on short rest with no questions asked. Sabathia’s ability to play under the bright lights of New York is what legends are made of.

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