CC Sabathia

Large is a way of life for the New York Yankees star pitcher .  The 6’7” 290 pound lefthander is among the largest pitchers in the game and possesses the biggest contract ever offered to a major league pitcher.  His statistics are also among the largest in the league.  CC Sabathia is large and for the Yankees to enjoy a successful 2010 playoff season, CC will have to come up very large indeed.

On a team with multiple superstars and big salaries, excellence is demanded.  The 2010 season has been an injury nightmare for the Yankee pitching staff.  Veteran Andy Pettite has been on the disabled list while mainstays AJ Burnett and Javier Vasquez have had subpar years.  Fortunately, Phil Hughes has joined CC with a career year.  Manager Joe Girardi desperately needs help for Sabathia and Hughes if the team is to advance.

Carsten Charles Sabathia was born July 21, 1980 in Vallejo California. Sabathia is a product of the Major League Baseball youth program called Rebuilding Baseball in Inner Cities.  After starring in high school, CC was selected 20th by Cleveland in the first round of the 1998 draft and received a $1.3 million bonus.

In his rookie year, 2001, CC led American League pitchers in hits per nine innings, was third in won-lost percentage (17-5), fourth in strikeouts per nine innings, sixth in wins and seventh in strikeouts.  He finished second in Rookie of The Year voting.  Sabathia was rewarded with a $9.5 million contract for four years with an option for 2006.  The Indians exercised their option and signed CC to a two year contract worth $17.75 million.

His 19 wins and 3.21 ERA earned Sabathia the coveted Cy Young Award in 2007.  He also received the Warren Spahn Award given annually to the game’s best premier southpaw.

On December 18, 2008, CC made the move to the game’s largest stage.  The Yankees signed their new ace for $161 million.  The big lefty has fit in well with the pressure of being a Yankee.  He uses a heavy fastball, a vicious slider and a heart stopping changeup to tame the opposition.  He goes deep into ballgames and is an intimidating force when on the mound.  As talented as he is, the four time All Star’s best attribute may well be his competitive spirit.

CC SABATHIA CAREER STATS