Source: CBS Sports
When CC Sabathia took the loss for Game 7 in the 2017 World Series, he just chalked it up to "it is what it is." But when all of the allegations of cheating surfaced, Sabathia shook his head. 2017 could have been Sabathia's last trip to the World Series, something he longed for, even staying on through injuries the next two seasons for a chance to play in baseball's fall classic. So, when Sabathia was asked about the Houston cheating scandal after he accepted his March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year award, his words were clear, "It’s one thing to get signs from second base, but a monitor downstairs and all that stuff is coming out," reported the New York Post.
Source: NY Post
"Reporting by The Athletic last week revealed that whenever the Astros were at bat during home games in 2017, a team employee sat at that table, staring at that screen—and would signal the news that an off-speed pitch was coming by having at that garbage can with a bat, loud enough that the hitter could hear it and change his approach accordingly. Baseball is still very difficult, and this bit of foreknowledge makes it only a little bit easier. But a pitch that would once have been a third strike might instead be fouled off. It’s a small advantage, but a real one—another chance not to strike out, at the very least," reported the New Republic. This is the sort of thing Sabathia found surreal. "Damn, that is a lot.’ It’s tough, I don’t know. It’s a tricky thing," reported the Post.
Although Sabathia had not heard the garbage can banging, he inadvertently heard the whistles that signaled to the players what pitch was coming next. It is one thing to get better as a hitter as the season progresses, it is another thing to cheat. And this is the thing Sabathia just can't swallow. As he heads to retirement after 19-years, it is clear the game has changed tremendously. Technology is one thing, it has enhanced the game in many positive ways; This is more than technology- this is outright cheating. Inexcusable.
Source: SNY
The Yankees were one game away from the Series in 2017. One game. It hurt. It hurt a lot. And for Sabathia, maybe a little bit more than anyone else. He pitched his heart out, as he always tried to do. Despite the pain physically and mentally. He didn't deserve to be duped. None of the Yankees deserved it. And I know we all believe they should be punished. Not sure the Astros will get what they deserve at the end of the day. But Sabathia has to live with what happened and live with the fact that he would not win another World Series. And that just is not fair.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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