Ode to CC Sabathia

Once upon a time, in a land of beer and cheese, there came a man. A man like none had seen in said land for quite some time. He brought a big personality, bigger arm, and enough energy to light up a city.

The Milwaukee Brewers had begun to turn their season around after a June broom show in Boston. The bats started hitting, and even starting pitchers like Dave Bush were throwing gems. The Brewers, however, just didn’t feel like a playoff time. It would become a joyous time in the greater Wisconsin area, despite a huge scandal involving Brett “Take my first born child” Favre because an equally great superstar arrived.

CC Sabathia took the first flight to Milwaukee and arrived here with the huge smile we would all come to love. The first press conference seemed to be scripted by the fine people of SNL. Our general manager, Doug Melvin, pronounced his name “Sabaethia” like the Canuk that he is. CC made it clear to one reporter that his “slider” is officially called a “cutter,” despite it clearly being a slider.

There was the half-kidding (maybe) reporter who asked whether there were periods in “CC” to which CC responded “I don’t care.” There was an easy feeling to the press conference, like nothing could go wrong anymore.

Somehow, there was another lingering feeling at the press conference. It was shock. I couldn’t help but stare in awe as CC was introduced as a Brewer. Did we really frickin get him? He’s frickin huge!? Two frickin aces? Are you frickin kidding me?

All questions were answered on that fine Tuesday evening in July. The game was sold out, as many other games would soon be. Milwaukee was bumping that night. The crowd was cheering on every two-strike count and numerous “CC” chants electrified the building.

Even on TV it was an amazing experience, and he didn’t even pitch that well. It didn’t matter because everyone watching that game instantly fell in love with CC. The way he threw his best pitches when he was in a jam, and how even his 92 MPH fastball would blow hitters away, or how his “cutter” would absolutely fool even right-handed hitters. I knew, during this game, that CC was going to carry us to the playoffs.

“Carry” is a huge understatement for what CC did for the Brewers. He won 11 games for us in about two months time with only two losses thanks to inconsistent hitting. He was a man among boys with a 1.65 ERA. CC provided so many great moments this season: The should have been a no-hitter against the Pirates, the complete game after complete game after complete game, when he made Pujols look like a little leaguer to end the sweep in St. Lou, and in his second start he hit a homer. Not just any homer, but a bomb to right field. 

Speaking of hitting, I cannot emphasize how much I love Sabathia’s batting stance. He stands there, all 6’7” 250 lbs of him, completely still, seemingly staring into the pitchers soul. Then, as the ball arrives he winds up for one the biggest swings baseball has seen. No ball was out of his reach, and any pitch could be ripped for a hit.

I specifically remember a team trying to pitch out to him and instead he sliced the ball down the left-field line that was a sure double if not for a great diving catch by the left fielder. No one else could possibly hit a pitch out (no matter how hard Fielder tries).

The best part about watching CC pitch every five days (or every three) was that I finally realized the importance of a true ace pitcher. He was a skid ender and a rally starter. He brought so much energy to the mound with him and backed up the energy with amazing pitches. No other pitcher could have sparked the Brewers and the entire city of Milwaukee...make that the entire state of Wisconsin...the way CC Sabathia did.

“CC you in October” may have been one of the worst puns ever used so often, but damn was it right.

I now can say that I know what a great pitcher is. A leader in the clubhouse, amazing on the mound, supportive in the dugout, and critical of himself when necessary; there is virtually no flaw in the person and the pitcher.

We all remember the Game Two grand slam. I know I wish I didn’t have to go there either, but it’s necessary. That is a memory that haunts my mind now and surely will for a long time to come. It was one the most heartbreaking moment I’ve experienced in sports (and the four-game series against the Cubs. Screw the Cubs. *Glare at Tom).

Honestly though, we should have seen it coming. Remember all those starts right before the playoffs? CC Sabathia was picking up the Brewers and laying down everyone else in his path to October. It had to be such an emotional and physical drain to pitch every three days with enormous pressure each time out.

So instead of remembering his faults in the playoffs, I am going to remember CC for giving us the opportunity to play meaningful baseball. Prince’s walk-off homer and Ryan Braun’s walk off grand salami actually mattered because of CC Sabathia. In fact, baseball in BrewTown mattered again because of CC Sabathia.

I sincerely hope that CC decides he loves playing for the Brewers so much that money is no longer worth it. However, an attitude like that is of the rarest breed in sports. He has expressed his love for the Brewers over and over again.

I am simply trying to let him know that I loved watching him pitch for us equally as much. Wherever you may end up CC, I will be cheering for you, because you demonstrated day in and day out everything a superstar baseball player should be.