LEADERSHIP IS CC SABATHIA!

There's no one better in a baseball clubhouse than CC Sabathia.  He's simply the best.

I got to know the guy briefly in the infancy of Bleeding Yankee Blue. His family is wonderful. Amber is the greatest and of course when you combine the 2 of them, that power couple can do no wrong. Values and strength run through that household.

Great article this morning in NJ.com about CC Sabathia and how he not only developed into a brand new pitcher, but he's truly a leader when it comes to the New York Yankees. But he had to learn about it first. It started with the Indians believe it or not. And in the end... it came down to respect for one another.  Check this out...

NJ.com writes: "'I came in after the first inning … and I was kind of flustered,' Sabathia recalled Friday before the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Indians. 'Robbie (Alomar) could see that I was flustered and he was like, ‘Hey, don’t shake off the rest of the game. I’m calling the pitches from second base. Just go out and do your thing.’ It worked out.' Sure did, and this Alomar-to-Sabathia encounter also was a lesson on leadership...

'I was on an older team coming up that first year,' Sabathia said. 'They all treated me like a little brother … 

Sabathia didn’t just appreciate being treated with respect as a young player. He filed that away and made sure that he did the same once he became a veteran who was looked up to by younger teammates."

And that the essence of a baseball clubhouse.  In the end, you all want to win. But you teach the youngsters, and lead by example.  That was a long time ago for Sabathia, but he carried that with him.

Now, fast forward to the Yankee clubhouse today. CC is surrounded by many youngsters.  All with concerns, mistakes under their belt, questions for our fearless leader. And you know what? He's developed into a mentor... and a leader helping them find their successes, but helping this team win as well.

I can't say enough good things about this dude. If the Yankees can win it all this season, so much of it has to do with CC. He may not be 22-3 at the end of the year, but he will be there every step of the way to make sure these kids aren't losing their path to greatness.

Respect. It goes a long way.  But CC is the guy that can keep it organized, revved up and structured.
I am proud of him as a person, and love him as a New York Yankee.

Bravo, my friend... keep leading.