Last Call for Yankee Pitcher C.C. Sabathia
After having heart surgery most people will settle down their lifestyle but not for Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia.
It has been 18 years since his debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2001. Sabathia has had a respectable pitching career, to end a baseball career with one of the oldest baseball franchises is something that is worth noting. This left handed pitcher’s success did not just happen overnight.
Carsten Charles Sabathia was born in the Bay Area town of Vallejo, California. This is where he was introduced to the diamond baseball field at age four. From his t-ball years, Sabathia knew that he wanted to be a power pitcher in the major league. Like all kids with big dreams he become his own worst critic even saying he would cry on the mound if he didn't strike out the batter.
“I didn’t ever think I should give up hits or runs,” Sabathia said. “That was always battle with me and my parents…me crying out on the mound and stuff like that.”
With having a mindset of such perseverance the hard worked from his youth paid off. The 6'6' and 300lb athlete was selected in 1998 draft in the first round to the Cleveland Indians. This started off a career that baseball has followed for the past 19 years. In his debut game in 2001, Sabathia pitched 5.2 innings. This was a start to him exceeded rookie status standards.
In true baseball fashion, once you have reached a peak it's more than likely time for a trade. Sabathia was than traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, half way through the 2008 season. This trade was beneficial to the Bucks since Sabathia lead them to the Wild Card, which happened to be the first time the team has been to the playoffs in 26 years.
Although Sabathia was able to lead the team to the playoffs, it was shortly lived. Sabathia became a free agent to where he was picked up by the New York Yankees. From this pick up alone, Sabathia’s career has seen great success even within the first year of being on the team. He lead the Yankees to the World Series in 2009 and finishing the series with a ring.
Overall, Sabathia has pitched 3243 games, 2788 strikeouts, and 230 wins throughout his career. After having knee surgery in 2016 with a follow up in 2018, time was starting to run out for the Yankee Pitcher. After having heart surgery in December 2019, the Vallejo Native announced in February that this will be his final season.
But, as Sabathia continues to make his final tour of the 2019 baseball season; he is not going into full retirement soon. ESPN announced that Sabathia is going to be a baseball analyst throughout the season. He will be appearing on a number of shows for the network as well as having his own podcast “R2C2.” Even with taken on studio time Sabathia has noted that his first priority is getting his fellow Yankees to the World Series.
