New York Yankees pitcher, CC Sabathia, is on a mission towards personal growth and healing. On Monday (Oct. 5), the player announced that he would be checking himself into a rehabilitation center for alcohol addiction. The news comes just a day before his team's first playoff game since 2012.
Sabathia is hoping time in the treatment center will help him during his battle with the disease. Not only does he have the support of his family, but the New York Yankees are also standing strong behind Sabathia's decision to receive outside help for his addiction.
"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," he said in a statement released by the team. "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."
A photo posted by CC Sabathia (@cc_sabathia52) on Sep 23, 2015 at 10:20am PDT
The 35-year-old California native signed a $161 million, seven-year contract and was a major reason why the Yankees won the World Series during his first season with them in the Bronx. He struck up a new deal after the 2011 season, which includes a $25 million salary for 2016 and a $25 million team option for 2017, with a $5 million buyout.
"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."
A photo posted by CC Sabathia (@cc_sabathia52) on Oct 1, 2015 at 9:22pm PDT
Sabathia's heartfelt statement shows just how hard this decision was for him. Despite the difficult choice to take time away from his career to focus on his mental and physical health, he's willing to take as much time as it takes to put himself in a better place.
"C.C. demonstrated a great deal of courage to try and tackle this problem,'' General Manager Brian Cashman said. "Time and place have no bearing. There is something here that needs to be taken care of and I applaud him for stepping up and doing everything necessary for himself as he moves forward.''
The Yankees play the Houston Astros on Tuesday (Oct. 6) in the American League wild-card game. The winning team will then proceed series against the Kansas City Royals. CC Sabathia will not be available for the postseason.
