Happy Birthday, CC Sabathia!

The guys and gals at Bronx Pinstripes would like to wish CC Sabathia a very happy birthday today!  The Yankees pitcher turns 36 today. Sabathia has been pitching in Major League Baseball for 16 seasons.  He has pitched for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, and is currently in his eighth season with the New York Yankees. Over the course of his career, Sabathia is 219-136 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.251 WHIP, and 2,648 strikeouts.  He is a six-time All-Star (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010-2012), AL Cy Young Award winner (2007), ALCS MVP (2009), World Series champion (2009), and is a two-time MLB wins leader (2009, 2010). In nearly eight complete seasons in pinstripes, Sabathia is 102-63 with a 3.96 ERA in 214 starts. CC was an integral part of the Yankees' 2009 World Series championship season, going 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA during the regular season in his first season in the Bronx.  During the Yankees' postseason run, he went 3-1, earning ALCS MVP honors following two wins against the Los Angeles Angels.

CC is determined to continue his career, indicating he "could do this a couple more years."  In a recent sit-down interview with Sports Illustrated Now, he stated the following: “I’mma make them tear the jersey off my back," he said.  "I want to play as long as I can.  As long as I am healthy and I can do my job well I'm going to go out there and do it.” He has recently powered through injuries, alcohol issues and has become a viable starter in MLB again this season.  Through May and the first half of June, CC was pitching like it was the good 'ole days.  Lights out. In May, he was 2-2 with a 1.04 ERA. In June, 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA.  Unfortunately, since June 22, a lack of run support/defense and some tough luck have made his starts appear much worse than they have been. On the season, he is 5-7 with a 3.94 ERA, 74 strikeouts, and has only allowed seven home-runs.  CC has pitched well.  All the best to him moving forward this season and beyond. Happy birthday, CC!