By Gianluca Colageo Milea
NEW YORK- Throughout their long history, the Yankees have had their fair share of big name starting pitchers. Most recently, Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina, just to name a few. However, to all of the Yankee greats, CC Sabathia sits 2nd to none.
Sabathia has been the ultimate professional and while he has not been a Yankee his entire career, he will be remembered and appreciated by many of the Yankee faithful.
CC proved over and over again his importance to the Yankees, most notably in 2009 when he led the charge to a World Series Championship. Sabathia ended the regular season 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA. In the postseason, he was named ALCS MVP when he posted a 1.13 ERA with 16 innings pitched and gave the Yankees 2 big wins against a pesky Angels squad.
Without CC the Yankees would not have experienced a title in almost 20 years.
After such an illustrious and incredibly successful career, CC still remains humble and ultimately understands that the team’s success comes before his farewell tour, “I want to win a World Series more than anybody here, I think. If that means I’m off the [postseason] roster, I don’t mind that at all.”
Sabathia continued, “I don’t think it’s about really me. This team has the chance to do something special. We’ve been doing special things all year. I’ve been a part of that. I don’t think me being on or off the playoff roster will change what I’ve been or done or meant around here. I’ll be just as excited, especially if we win.”
CC has held that he will support manager, Aaron Boone’s decision, no matter his fate.
With the postseason approaching rapidly, Sabathia may have taken the mound Wednesday for the final time in the Bronx as a starting pitcher.
Aaron Boone announced late Friday afternoon that CC would be used out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season, without any indication of what his plans were for October. While it is almost certain that he will not be starting, it is not completely out of the question that we see Sabathia in a playoff series, given his incredible resume and experience in big games.
Should he make the postseason roster, do not think of it as a courtesy, CC can definitely still contribute and help this team make a World Series push.
He has been able to reinvent himself and overcome the difficulties of lost velocity due to Father Time and nagging injuries. Through all of this, CC Sabathia has been a constant force in the Yankees’ starting rotation for 10 years now. His retirement does not mark the end of his legacy, rather a new chapter.
His great moments will live on in the hearts and minds of so many Yankee fans and he will almost certainly have a spot reserved in Cooperstown, when that time ultimately comes.
For now, thank you CC, thank you for what you have done and for what you will continue to do for this City. You will be missed.
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