Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr is a retired MLB pitcher. He bid farewell to the sport in the year 2019 as a New York Yankees player. The 2009 edition World Series champion team had him in their ranks. The baseball community always knew him as a ‘team-man’ and lived up to that reputation. 

CC Sabathia got ejected in the bottom of the sixth inning, for hitting the then Tampa Bay Rays catcher, Jesus Sucre. 

Team first for CC Sabathia 

CC Sabathia was supposed to be rewarded with 500K$ bonus incentive in the 2018 season. All he had to do was pitch a season innings total of 155. But with two short of the record, he was ejected from the New York Yankees game against Tampa Bay Rays. The reason was that Sabathia intentionally hit the Rays’ catcher, Jesus Sucre. 

In a series with sparks flying, one of the Yankees vs Rays games saw more drama. Sabathia accidentally hit the Rays’ first baseman, Jake Bauers, in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Rays’ pitcher, Andrew Kittredge, responded by pitching a fastball aimed at the Yankees’ catcher, Austin Romine’s head. Albeit, Romine was fortunate to escape the blow. 

Kittredge’s actions infuriated Sabathia. Sabathia tried to charge in at Kittredge, only to be stopped by the Yankees’ manager, Aaron Boone. In retaliation, Sabathia hit the Rays’ catcher, Jesus Sucre. Plate umpire, Vic Carapazza, soon ejected Sabathia. 

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Speaking after the game, CC Sabathia said, “I don’t really make decisions based on money, I guess. I just felt like it was the right thing to do.” Describing Kittredge’s actions, Sabathia added, “I think we all took exception to that, I think, anytime you feel a player’s safety is in jeopardy.” Yankees’ slugger Giancarlo Stanton extended support to teammate Sabathia, saying, “You don’t throw at someone’s head. He did what he felt he needed to do.”

Earning respect and being paid in full 

New York Yankees later paid the 500K$ performance bonus to CC Sabathia despite ejection. Sabathia’s agent Kyle Thousand admired the gesture, saying “CC was very appreciative and is really excited to come back next year and, hopefully, win a championship.” Everyone in the New York Yankees setup provided the much deserving support to Sabathia for his selfless attitude and dedication.  

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Don’t we all wish we too had a friend like CC Sabathia?