Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr. is a three-time all-star and last year’s Cy Young award winner. Before he takes the mound for his sixth Opening Day start, the imposing left-hander for Cleveland discussed the joys of the internet, his political influence and his obligation to wear a Raiders jersey to a Browns game.
DAVE HOLLANDER: When did the wearing-your-cap-sideways thing start? C.C. SABATHIA: It started in high school. I began with another buddy of mine just to get under my high school coaches’ skin a little bit. It stuck from there. Now every time I put a hat on, that’s the way I wear it.
DH: Even if it’s, like, a fedora? CCS: Any kind of hat with a bill, I put it on and I automatically do that. I’ll look in the mirror and I’m like “Ah, my hat’s crooked.” It’s just like that now.
DH: I read that your favorite baseball moment is hitting a home run in Cincinnati in 2005. You like to hit and you have a career .297 batting average. Are you jealous of Johan Santana -- that he gets to hit in the NL now? CCS: I saw hit him a triple the other day! He can swing it a little bit. I’ll get a chance to hit during inter-league. I love to hit. Just makes you feel like you’re a part of the game.
DH: The beginning of last season, you called the lack of African-Americans in MLB a “crisis.” How much progress have you seen in a year? CCS: I think we’re making a little bit of progress. I think just making people aware of it is the first thing we have to do. We had a meeting in November with about 35 Major League African-American players. We sat around and bounced ideas off each other, seeing what we can do as far as giving free camps and clinics in your hometown and trying to get as much outreach as possible in the community to try to get more kids to play.
DH: Last year you were the AL CY Young winner and Jimmy Rollins was NL MVP. You’re both African-American. How much does that help with awareness? CCS: It definitely helped. I can’t speak for Jimmy, but for me, just going back to my hometown and with the kids around the neighborhood where I grew up -- they see you more. They all knew that I played baseball but seeing us make the playoffs and playing in some nationally televised games definitely helped.
DH: You’re starting Opening Day on Monday at Jacobs Field against the Chicago White Sox. How many Opening Days have you started? CCS: I think this is my fifth.
DH: You’ve now pitched in many big games including the AL championship. How does the feeling of pitching Opening Day compare? CCS: I think it’s the same. This is a big game. It’s a great honor, taking the ball for the organization and starting the season off. I’m happy I get a chance to do it.
VIERA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Cristian Guzman #15 of the Washington Nationals poses during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium on February 21, 2009 in Viera, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cristian Guzman
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VIERA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Cristian Guzman #15 of the Washington Nationals poses during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium on February 21, 2009 in Viera, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cristian Guzman
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VIERA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Willy Mo Pena #26 of the Washington Nationals poses during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium on February 21, 2009 in Viera, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Willy Mo Pena
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VIERA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Ronnie Belliard #10 of the Washington Nationals poses during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium on February 21, 2009 in Viera, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ronnie Belliard
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LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 21: (EDITOR'S NOTE: IMAGES HAVE BEEN DIGITALLY DESATURATED) Jeremy Bonderman #38 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during Photo Day on February 21, 2009 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeremy Bonderman
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LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 21: (EDITOR'S NOTE: IMAGES HAVE BEEN DIGITALLY DESATURATED) Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during Photo Day on February 21, 2009 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Justin Verlander
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LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 21: (EDITOR'S NOTE: IMAGES HAVE BEEN DIGITALLY DESATURATED) Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during Photo Day on February 21, 2009 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Miguel Cabrera
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LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 21: (EDITOR'S NOTE: IMAGES HAVE BEEN DIGITALLY DESATURATED) Carlos Guillen #9 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during Photo Day on February 21, 2009 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Guillen
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LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 21: (EDITOR'S NOTE: IMAGES HAVE BEEN DIGITALLY DESATURATED) Carlos Guillen #9 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during Photo Day on February 21, 2009 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carlos Guillen
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LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 21: (EDITOR'S NOTE: IMAGES HAVE BEEN DIGITALLY DESATURATED) Nate Robertson #29 Of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during Photo Day on February 21, 2009 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nate Robertson
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DH: You’ve gone from being the youngest player in MLB in 2001 to the Cy Young winner in 2007. Do you ever stop and think about that? CCS: I haven’t really thought about it yet because I’m in the middle of it, the middle of my career. I’m worried about the next game, the next season, the next time I get the chance to take the ball. I’m definitely honored to be an African-American pitcher to win the Cy Young. There’s not many of them. I was excited to get that award but the ultimate goal is to win a World Series. That’s really what I’m trying to do every year.
DH: How different will it feel going out there as the defending CY Young winner? CCS: I don’t think it’ll be that much different. Yeah, I’ll have a little target on my back. Guys are going to amped up to face me. So, I’ll have to bring my A-game.
DH: Speaking of a target on your back, five years ago you were robbed at gunpoint of $44,102 in cash and jewelry. Seems like every time you turn around, another athlete -- Sebastian Telfair, Eddy Curry, Antoine Walker -- is having the same experience. Why are athletes targeted? CCS: I don’t know. With my case it was just being in the wrong placed at the wrong time. It’s a different situation for everybody. I don’t know what happened to those guys but it was just me being young and thinking you’re invincible and not really knowing your surroundings. That was a big part of it. For me, it was definitely a blessing in disguise because it made me change my life and turn it around and not try to be at every party or be seen all the time and just kind of hanging back and hanging with the family. So it helped me grow up.
DH: Things are getting more adult. In March you posted a statement on www.ccsabathia52.com that you were forgoing further contract negotiations with the Indians until after the 2008 season. How do like having your own website? CCS: I think it’s pretty cool, man. When my PR lady Kathy Jacobson first pitched it to me I was like “Ahhh, ehhhh, I don’t know. Will we really get any hits?” But I think getting on there is good. I’m going to post some stuff during the season like my charity events. I’m also going to get an AAU team from my home county and post some of their stats and games on there.
DH: The internet’s a wild place. Last year a blog called examiner.com gave you 2000-1 odds to be the next mayor of San Francisco. You’re from the Bay Area, were those odds wrong? CCS: I think I’d have a better chance of being the mayor of my home town, Vallejo, instead of San Francisco.
DH: Kevin Youklins also got 2000-1 odds. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich came in at 1,000-1. But Dave Chapelle and Bud Selig tied at 10,000 – 1. Do you think these numbers are right? CCS: I think they’re accurate. .
DH: Regarding politics, you’re supporting Barack Obama but did you know this week he was photographed in the Virgin Islands wearing a White Sox cap? CCS: He’s an Illinois guy, you know. He’s out of Chicago. I can’t blame him for that. Hopefully we can get that changed. I mean, LeBron James was wearing a Yankees hat in Jacobs Field. So, nothing surprises me anymore.
DH: Really? You were okay with that? CCS: It didn’t really bother me. He’s a basketball player. He has the right to like whoever he wants. If the Browns were playing the Raiders in Cleveland, I would be wearing a Raiders jersey ‘cause I’m a Raiders fan. But LeBron’s from Ohio. (pauses) I guess the team’s in the ‘90s weren’t good enough for him.
DH: Might be kind of funny if you showed up the a Cavs game wearing the opposing team’s jersey. CCS: I told Drew Gooden that if Bulls, where he got traded, make it to playoffs -- which they won’t -- I’ll wear a Drew Gooden jersey to the Cavs game to settle the score.
DH: It’s a volatile world. Your actions could have more power than you know. If you beat Chicago on Opening Day, might that do some damage to the Obama campaign? CCS: Nah, I don’t think so. I’m going to go out and try to do my best and beat them on Opening Day. Hopefully, Barack won’t be too disappointed.
Dave Hollander is the author of 52 WEEKS: Interviews with Champions! Info
at: www.davehollander.com
Sabathia stunk in last year's playoffs. Cleveland should have been in the World Series, and if Sabathia hadn't pitched like a little girl they would have been. This jerk doesn't have a chance at the Cy Young for 2008.
I'M A HUGE iNDIANS FAN BUT HUTCH 0868 YOU'RE RIGHT. BECKETT SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE CY YOUNG LAST YEAR. I THINK IT WAS BASEBALLS WAY OF GETTING A PREMIER PITCHER OUT OF CLEVELAND. THEY JUST PRICED HIM OUT OF THE MARKET FOR THE INDIANS. BASEBALL NEEDS A TRUE SALARY CAP.
