Monday afternoon the Yankees announced CC Sabathia has checked himself into an alcohol rehab center and will not be available this postseason. Here’s the statement Sabathia released:
“Today I am checking myself into an alcohol rehabilitation center to receive the professional care and assistance needed to treat my disease.
“I love baseball and I love my teammates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series. It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. I want to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player.
“I want to thank the New York Yankees organization for their encouragement and understanding. Their support gives me great strength and has allowed me to move forward with this decision with a clear mind.
“As difficult as this decision is to share publicly, I don’t want to run and hide. But for now please respect my family’s need for privacy as we work through this challenge together.
“Being an adult means being accountable. Being a baseball player means that others look up to you. I want my kids — and others who may have become fans of mine over the years — to know that I am not too big of a man to ask for help. I want to hold my head up high, have a full heart and be the type of person again that I can be proud of. And that’s exactly what I am going to do.
“I am looking forward to being out on the field with my team next season playing the game that brings me so much happiness.”
It takes an awful lot of courage for Sabathia to come out and admit this publicly. It’s not an easy thing to do. Sabathia could have easily taken an unspecified leave of absence but he admitted his problem. Good for him and his family. There is no wrong time to get help. You know that if someone you love has ever battled addiction.
“It wasn’t a phone call I was expecting,” said Brian Cashman at a press conference this afternoon. “I applaud CC for his courage. He is not alone in this … What CC’s dealing with is a life issue. It’s bigger than the game we have tomorrow night.”
What does this mean for the postseason? I’m not sure. It’s uncomfortable to think about that right now. Sabathia’s problem is much bigger than baseball and I’m glad he’s getting the help he needs.
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