Carsten Charles Sabathia (born July 21, 1980 in Vallejo, California), more commonly known as C.C. Sabathia, is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher who plays for the Cleveland Indians.
C.C. Sabathia Cleveland Indians — No. 52
- Starting Pitcher
- Born: July 21, 1980 (1980-07-21) (age 27)
- Bats: Left Throws: Left
- Major League Baseball debut April 8, 2001 for the Cleveland Indians
- Selected MLB statistics (through September 28, 2007)
- Wins-Losses 100-63
- ERA 3.83
- Innings pitched 1406 1/3
- Strikeouts 1142
- Teams Cleveland Indians (2001–present)
C.C. Sabathia attended Vallejo Senior High School, where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football. In baseball, he compiled a mark of 6-0 with an 0.77 ERA (46.2 IP, 14 H, 82 K) during his senior season. Coming out of the draft he was the top high school prospect in Northern California according to Baseball America. In football, he was an All-conference tight end. He received scholarship offers to play college football, including one from USC, and actually signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Miami.
Sabathia was drafted in the 1st round (20th overall) by the Indians in the 1998 MLB Amateur Draft. He signed for a $1.3 million bonus.
In 2000, he was selected for the 28-man 2000 United States Olympic Team roster. He appeared in one pre-Olympic tournament game in Sydney, Australia, but was not on the official 24-man, Gold Medal-winning roster.
In 2001 he was the youngest player in the Major Leagues (20), the first player born in the 1980s to make his major league debut (April 8th), led the league in hits/9 IP (7.44), was third in the league in won-lost percentage (17-5, .773), fourth in strikeouts/9 IP (8.53), sixth in wins (17) and seventh in strikeouts (171). He finished second in the AL voting for rookie of the year, behind only Ichiro Suzuki.
In 2002 he was tenth in the AL in strikeouts (149).
In 2003 he had the tenth-best ERA in the AL (3.60). He was also named to the American League All-Star team
In 2004 he was again named to the American League All-Star team.
In 2005 he was fourth in the AL in strikeouts/9 IP (7.37), seventh in strikeouts (161) and eighth in wins (15).
In 2006 he led the major leagues in complete games (6). He also led the AL in shutouts (2), was third in ERA (3.22), sixth in strikeouts/9 IP (8.03) and eighth in strikeouts (172).
In 2007 he got his 1000th strikeout on May 21st, against Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners. He was also named to the American League All-Star team for the third time. On September 28, he became the youngest pitcher (27 years, 69 days) to record 100 career wins since Greg Maddux in 1993. On October 23, Sabathia won the Players Choice Award for Outstanding AL Pitcher. He won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award for the 2007 season, beating Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett.
On November 13, 2007 C.C won the American League Cy Young Award revieving 118 Points by the voters.
Sabathia has a very good 94-98 mph fastball, an excellent 10-4 slider from 84-86 mph, and an 11-5 curve from 79-82 mph. He also has very good control, posting a very good 5.65 K/BB ratio.
Although Sabathia is an American League pitcher who does not bat often, he has a career batting average of .297 with 1 home run and 6 RBIs in only 37 ABs. His 11 base hits as an AL pitcher in interleague play are currently the most in the league.
- As of September, 2007, Sabathia had more career wins than any other active pitcher 27 years old or younger.
- Sabathia has a trademark way of wearing his hat, always wearing it slightly sideways and slanted.
- His California home was featured on an episode of MTV’s Cribs.
On March 14, 2007, Sabathia addressed ESPN, criticizing Major League Baseball for not doing extra to make sure there is an adequate African American presence in the game and that it was an on-going crisis.
- MLB.com lists his weight at 290 pounds, making him the heaviest major leaguer.
- He is 6′ 7″ tall.
In 2000, he had his name tattooed, uniform-style, across his back in large letters