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CC Sabathia

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CC Sabathia
Sabathia pitching for the Yankees.
New York Yankees – No. 52
Starting pitcher
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
debut
April 8, 2001, for the Cleveland Indians
Career statistics
(through August 12, 2010)
Win–Loss151–86
Earned run average3.58
Strikeouts1,724
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Carsten Charles "CC" Sabathia (born July 21, 1980, in Vallejo, California) is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the New York Yankees. His contract with the Yankees is the most lucrative contract for a pitcher in the history of baseball.

Sabathia played the first seven plus seasons of his career with the Cleveland Indians, where he won the 2007 AL Cy Young Award. He played the second half of the 2008 MLB season with the Milwaukee Brewers, leading them to the NL Wild Card, their first playoff appearance in 26 years. At 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) and 290 pounds (130 kg), Sabathia is one of the largest pitchers in MLB.

High school career

Sabathia attended Vallejo High School, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. As a teenager, Sabathia played summer baseball in the Major League Baseball youth program Rebuilding Baseball in Inner cities (RBI). [1] In baseball, he compiled a mark of 6–0 with an 0.77 ERA (46.2 IP, 14 H, 82 K) during his senior season. Coming out of the draft he was the top high school prospect in Northern California according to Baseball America.

In football, he was an all-conference tight end. He received scholarship offers to play college football, including one from UCLA, and actually signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Hawaiʻi.[2]

Professional baseball career

Cleveland Indians (2001-2008)

Sabathia was drafted in the first round (20th overall) by the Indians in the 1998 MLB Draft. He signed for a $1.3 million bonus.

In 2000, he 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.

In 2001, he was the youngest player in the Major Leagues. Sabathia led the league in hits per 9 innings pitched (7.44), was third in the league in win–loss percentage (17–5, .773), fourth in strikeouts per 9 innings pitched (8.53), sixth in wins, and seventh in strikeouts (171). He finished second in the AL voting for Rookie of the Year, behind only Ichiro Suzuki. For his performance, Sabathia was rewarded with a four-year $9.5 million contract, with a club option for 2006, on February 23, 2002.[3] In the 2002 season, he was tenth in the AL in strikeouts, with 149.

In 2003, he had the tenth-best ERA in the AL (3.60). He threw the fastest fastball in the AL in 2003, averaging 93.9 miles per hour.[1] He was also named to the American League All-Star team for the first time, with a repeat appearance in 2004.

The Indians picked up their $7 million club option for 2006 on April 27, 2005 and Sabathia signed a two-year, $17.75 million deal. [4] In 2005, he was fourth in the AL in strikeouts/9 IP (7.37), seventh in strikeouts (161) and eighth in wins (15). This marked his fifth straight season of double digit wins to open a career. He threw the fastest fastball in the AL in 2005, averaging 94.7 miles per hour.[2] He also hit his first career home run as a batter in interleague play off of Elizardo Ramirez in May. The Indians went 20–11 in his starts. In 2006, he led the major leagues with 6 complete games. He also led the AL in shutouts (2), was third in ERA (3.22), sixth in strikeouts per 9 IP (8.03) and eighth in strikeouts (172). He became the first left-handed pitcher to start his career with six consecutive seasons of double digit wins.[5]

Sabathia with the Indians on May 6, 2007.

Sabathia collected his 1,000th career strikeout on May 21, fanning the player who beat him out for Rookie of the Year honors: Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners. He was also named to the American League All-Star team for the third time. On September 28, he became the youngest pitcher (27 years, 69 days) to record 100 career wins since Greg Maddux in 1993. On October 23, Sabathia won the Players Choice Award for Outstanding AL Pitcher.[6] His pitching performance led the Cleveland Indians to their first American League Central Division Championship since 2001, his rookie season. For his performance, he was awarded the 2007 American League Cy Young Award joining Gaylord Perry as the only two Cleveland Indians pitchers to ever win the award. (Cliff Lee became the third the following season.) [7] Sabathia also won the coveted Warren Spahn Award given to the best left-handed pitcher in the Majors.[8] 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.

Sabathia began the 2008 season with a 6–8 record and a 3.83 ERA in 18 starts. He was leading the American League in strikeouts (123) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (9.0) while ranking second in innings pitched (122.1) and tied for second in complete games (3). However, with the Indians out of playoff contention, and with Sabathia an impending free agent, the Indians sought to trade Sabathia.

Milwaukee Brewers (2008)

On July 7, 2008, Sabathia was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielders Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley, along with pitchers Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson.[9][10] During his press conference, Sabathia made it known to the assembled members of the media that he would prefer his name to be spelled "CC" rather than "C.C."[11] He recorded his first win with the Brewers on July 8, 2008 against the Colorado Rockies. Sabathia was 17–10 overall (11–2 with Milwaukee) with a 2.70 ERA and was second in the majors (behind Tim Lincecum) with 251 strikeouts. Sabathia pitched three complete games in his first four starts with the Brewers, winning all four.

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![12]

On August 31, 2008, Sabathia threw what was ruled as a one-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates in PNC Park. The one hit for the Pirates came off of a check swing by Andy LaRoche in the fifth inning that rolled fair and was bobbled by Sabathia on an attempted bare-handed pickup. The team sent in an appeal to Major League Baseball to try to get the hit ruled as an error, but were unsuccessful.[13] Sabathia struck out eleven in the Brewers' 7–0 win over the Pirates, making Sabathia's ninth complete game in the 2008 season. On Sept. 28, 2008, Sabathia pitched a 4-hitter against the Cubs to win 3–1 in the final game of the season, sending the Brewers to their first playoffs for the first time as a National League club and the first time since losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1982 World Series. It was Sabathia's 10th complete game of the year, the most complete games by any pitcher in a single season since Randy Johnson threw 12 in 1999. In 2008 Sabathia had the most effective slider among major league starting pitchers.[3] When batters swung at his pitches, they failed to make any contact 28% of the time, the highest percentage among major league starting pitchers.[4]

Sabathia started game 2 of the NLDS. The Brewers were heavily favored to win behind Sabathia, but Sabathia faltered, surrendering 5 runs in 3.2 innings, including a walk to the pitcher Brett Myers and a grand slam to Shane Victorino.

Sabathia was sixth in the voting for the 2008 NL MVP award, behind Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Ryan Braun, Manny Ramirez, and Lance Berkman.[14]

New York Yankees (2009-present)

CC Sabathia in 2009.

On December 18, 2008, Sabathia signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the New York Yankees. It is the largest contract for a pitcher in MLB history.[15][16] 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. In the Yankees' season opener and his first game as a Yankee, Sabathia had a sub-par day against the Baltimore Orioles. He was pulled after 4.1 innings with eight hits, six runs, five walks, and zero strikeouts. It was Sabathia's first loss to the Orioles. Sabathia's best performance as a Yankee came on May 8, 2009 against the Orioles, as he pitched a four hit, eight strikeout complete game shutout at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, earning him his second complete game of the year.

Sabathia won his first championship ring with the Yankees, finishing 19–8 with a 3.37 ERA. Sabathia also won the American League Championship Series (ALCS) Most Valuable Player Award for his performance in the 2009 ALCS. Sabathia finished fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting behind Zack Greinke, Felix Hernandez, and Justin Verlander.

On April 10, 2010, Sabathia took a no-hitter into the 8th inning. With two out in the inning, former teammate Kelly Shoppach ripped a single to left field, ending the no-no bid. Manager Joe Girardi promptly removed Sabathia from the game.

On July 4, he earned his fourth All-Star selection, and his first as a Yankee.

Player profile

CC Sabathia (left) during the 2009 World Series parade.

Sabathia has three plus pitches: fastball, slurve, and changeup. His best pitch is the slurve, which diagonally slides down.He also exhibits good command of his pitches, posting a 5.65 K/BB ratio in 2007.[17]

Sabathia holds a lifetime postseason record of 5 wins and 4 losses in 10 games. He has pitched a total of 61.1 postseason innings, giving up 61 hits, 25 walks and 30 earned runs resulting in a 4.40 ERA. He also struck out 56 batters.[18] In the 2007 ALCS he beaned 3 batters.

In interleague play as a player in the American League, Sabathia had a career batting average of .300 with three home runs and seven RBIs in 40 ABs, including a 440-foot home run on June 21, 2008, off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park. [19] 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.[20]

Personal

Sabathia and his wife, Amber, have two sons, Carsten Charles III (born September 15, 2003) and Carter Charles (born August 5, 2010) and two daughters; Jaeden Arie (born September 20, 2005) and Cyia Cathleen (born October 11, 2008). The family resides in Fairfield, CA outside his hometown of Vallejo, CA in the San Francisco Bay Area. When Sabathia signed with the Yankees, the family moved to a residence in Alpine, New Jersey.[21]

Stance on black players in MLB

On March 14, 2007, Sabathia addressed ESPN, criticizing Major League Baseball for not doing more to make sure there are more African Americans in the game and that it was an on-going crisis.[22] Sabathia has urged Bud Selig to help endorse Little League Baseball in urban areas in an effort similar to that implemented by National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern.

Battlefield Bad Company 2 Video

Sabathia also appeared on a promotional video for Battlefield Bad Company 2 against "Random Grenade Throws" which showed him doing a public service announcement about Random grenade throws which is spoofing the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 public service announcement with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels.

See also

References

  1. ^ Reving Baseball in Inner Cities MLB Web Site
  2. ^ "CC Sabathia Biography". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  3. ^ "Indians Sign Sabathia To 4-Year Deal". The New York Times. 2002-02-24. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  4. ^ Associated Press (2005-04-27). "Sabathia to make $24.75 million next three years". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  5. ^ "Player Information: 2006". Milwaukee Brewers. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  6. ^ "MLB - awards - Yahoo! Sports". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  7. ^ "MLB - awards - Yahoo! Sports". Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  8. ^ "Oklahoma Sports Museum". Retrieved 2008-07-10. {{cite web}}: Text "Warren Spahn Award" ignored (help)
  9. ^ "Brewers acquire CC Sabathia". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  10. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (2008-10-03). "Brantley completes deal for Tribe". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  11. ^ "Punctuation purge: New Brewers P Sabathia ditches dots in 'CC'". SI.com. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  12. ^ "Sabathia takes out ad in paper thanking Cleveland fans". ESPN.com. 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  13. ^ "Sabathia loses appeal on no-hitter ruling". Associated Press. NBC Sports. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  14. ^ Matthew, Leach (2008-11-17). "Crowning achievement: Pujols NL MVP Cards star becomes first Dominican player to win two such awards". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
  15. ^ "New York Yankees sign left-handed pitcher CC Sabathia". New York Yankees. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  16. ^ Yankees finalize deals for Sabathia, Burnett
  17. ^ "The Official Site of Major League Baseball: Stats: Individual Player Stats". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  18. ^ Sabathia's Postseason and All-Star Stats MLB.com
  19. ^ "Baseball Video Highlights & Clips Sabathia's long solo homer". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  20. ^ Witrado, Anthony (2008-07-13). "Sizzle and Pop". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  21. ^ New York Post (2009-08-16). "SECRETS OF THE YANK WIVES CLUB". NY Post. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  22. ^ Associated Press (2007-03-14). "Sabathia pitches for more African-Americans in game". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
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 American League Cy Young Award
2007 		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 ALCS MVP
2009 		Succeeded by
TBD

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