N.Y. Yankees: C.C. Sabathia Adds to Milestone Season

From the desk of:  THE HOUSE HAL INHERITED

SABATHIA AT THE GATES

Solidifying Bid for Hall of Fame

It's mid June and there exists an American League East battle for first place which does not presently involve the Red Sox - at least not yet.  Instead, the Yankees are hosting the under spoken yet threatening second place Tampa Bay Rays whom after losing games one and two in the Bronx entered Wednesday's game 2.5 games back of the first place Yankees.  Looking to avoid a sweep the Rays face Yankees starter CC Sabathia who is making the 550th start of his career.

Suffice it to say things do not go Tampa's way as the Yankees jump out to a 6-0 first inning lead.  Once on the hill Sabathia faces 24 batters through six innings, throwing 94 pitches with 59 (62%) going for strikes.  He yields just one run on a mere three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts en route to his fourth victory of the season.

The victory marks the 250th win of CC Sabathia's 19-year career.  He now boasts a 250-157 (.613) career record with a 3.71 ERA.  This also marks his 133rd victory since joining the Yankees eleven season ago.  He previously won 117 games pitching for the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers.

Sabathia becomes only the 48th pitcher in MLB history to achieve 250 wins.  Earlier this season, he became only the 17th pitcher in MLB history to achieve 3,000 strikeouts.  Moreover, he becomes only the 13th pitcher and only the second southpaw to achieve both 250 wins and 3,000 strikeouts.

A six time all-star Sabathia won the A.L. Cy Young award in 2007 while pitching for Cleveland.  He then became a World Series champion and series MVP in 2009 while leading both the Yankees and American League with 19 victories.  In 2010, he led the American League a second straight season with 21 wins.

I can not say enough good things about the man.  He's an extremely influential person both in the locker room and on the field.  He adheres by old school standards knowing exactly when to apply traditional justice with unfailing duty and dedication to his mates.  He's also a husband and man of values who acts with conviction lest we forget he opted to attend rehab at his wife's behest despite the Yankees being in the midst of a pennant race.  That takes fortitude, and love.

One of the greatest persons to ever grace a New York City pitcher's mound ...