Everyone counted him out. Everyone wrote him off. No one believed he could compete at this level anymore – myself included. CC Sabathia has made all of us look stupid so far in 2016, and he deserves a lot more praise than he’s been getting.
For the first four years of his Yankee career, Sabathia was worth every single penny he was owed. Maybe more. From 2009-2012, he went a combined 74-29 with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.178 WHIP.
The back end of his contract hasn’t seen the same type of production. From ’13-’15, Sabathia had a record of 23-27 with a 4.81 ERA and a 1.402 WHIP. Those years included several knee injuries and revelations of alcohol abuse problems which resulted in a month-long stay in a Connecticut rehab facility last October.
Add all of that to the fact that he tops out at 91-92 mph most nights, and many thought the Yankees were insane to run him out every fifth day. Well, he’s proven to be one of the team’s most reliable pitchers.
On one hand you have Luis Severino and Michael Pineda, two pitchers with nasty stuff who have a world of potential and talent. 97 mph fastballs. Devastating sliders. But to paraphrase a line from the classic Bull Durham, they’ve got million dollar arms and 10-cent heads. Severino is now in the minor leagues after going 0-7 with a 7.46 ERA. Pineda and his 6.92 ERA may join him soon.
On the other hand, you have Sabathia. The big fella. He’ll outsmart you and he’ll out-work you. It seems as if he’s finally adjusted to his diminished velocity, much like Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina did later in their careers.
Backdoor sliders, inside cutters, and changeups that fall off the table. It’s quietly lead Sabathia to a 3-3 record with a 2.83 ERA this season. He’s given up 36 hits in 41.1 innings while striking out 36. In his last three starts, Sabathia has held hitters to an average of .157, and has allowed just one earned run in 20 innings – good for a 0.45 ERA.
Sabathia starts tonight against the Blue Jays, and I don’t feel like it’s an automatic loss, which is how I’ve viewed his starts over the last few years. I get that feeling I had from ’09-’12. He’ll keep the team in the game and give them a chance to win, and that’s all you can ask for.
Could it be his newfound brace, which provides stability and comfort to his surgically repaired knee? Maybe. Could it be that his demons are finally behind him, and he’s able to pitch with a clear head for the first time in a long time? Sure. Has he finally learned how to pitch, often times attacking hitters like his good friend Andy did? I think so. But whatever the reasons, big CC deserves more praise.
He was counted out and forgotten about, but he’s determined to silence his critics. So far, so good this season.
