SABATHIA: THE MAKING OF A MONSTER

CC Sabathia was never this good, but with the Yankees, he as seasoned as some of the greats, Whitey Ford, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax. That’s right, I put the guy in that category because who else can either be so incredibly dominant on his best day, on on his worst day, grind out and reinvent himself to scratch out a win, or at least go down trying. Gamer? I’d say so.

Not sure if you know why I refer to CC as CC Monster but my explanation is simple. To me, the guy is a monster. He stands on that pound in that big frame, larger than life and just chucks it in as if to say “Just try and hit it.” You’d want your entire rotation to be that confident. Message to AJ, this is your teammate, ask questions and learn how to get some balls out there. So, yeah, CC is a monster but there’s another reason. My 2 little guys watch Sesame Street religiously. Cookie Monster is one of their favorites, so between the 2, one of my older sons starting toying with the idea of putting CC and Cookie Monster together… a mashup if you will and I started to like it. I have a 9 year old brain, what do you want from me? I’m running with it and maybe it’ll catch on.

When CC came on the scene back with the Indians I never thought he was anything special. A work horse, yes. Someone who could eventually be dominant? Yes, but damn did we get lucky. It seems that CC really came into his own right around his Milwaukee stint and when he came to the Yankees, the guy just was all sorts of awesome.

As a Yankee fan, I look forward to every time CC is out there. Like I’ve said, when he’s not dominant, it’s brilliantly masked with the invention of pitches and grinds better than anyone. He never gives up. I was listening to the radio the other night. Someone asked Johnny Damon out of every pitcher in the American League, if you needed to have 1 guy out there for your team in a Game 7 of the World Series, who would it be. Now remember, this is a former teammate of CC’s on the 2009 Yankees and now on the rivalry Tampa Bay Rays. Johnny Damon paused like he does… then he said “It’s got to be CC.” How the hell don’t you proud at that moment hearing that?

Check out the past 3 seasons with the Yankees:

2009: 19-8, 3.37 ERA, 230 IP, 197 K, 67 BB, WHIP 1.148

2010: 21-7, 3.18 ERA, 237.2 IP, 197 K, 74 BB, WHIP 1.191

2011: 19-8, 3.00 ERA, 237.1 IP, 230 K, 61 BB, WHIP 1.226

CC will not get his 20^th win this season. The plan is to rest him and get him to do a bullpen session or simulated game today and prepare him to start game 1 of the ALDS. Read about it HERE. CC was close to getting 20, but 19-8 is great for the big guy and huge for the Yankees.

One more thing about CC. He was nominated for the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award. This award is given to players who make efforts to improve their communities. CC Sabathia leads the charge with his terrific Foundation called PitCCh in Foundation he runs with his wife. CC is a stand up guy and gives back. Take a moment, vote for CC for the Roberto Clemente Award HERE and check out PitCCh in HERE.

(Shoutout to Topps Cards who let me borrow the image of Roberto Clemente's 1955 card image.)

The playoffs are coming Ladies and Gentlemen and we have one of the best starting pitchers in the AL right now. CC is on a mission once again and with the help of the Yankees, hopefully there will be a strong following by the rest of our starters and we will reach our goal in our Quest for 28. After all, without CC Monster, let’s face it, we’d be just another ball club. That’s a fact.

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