Breaking News: Yankees Ace CC Sabathia Checking into Alcohol Rehab

New York Yankees veteran pitcher CC Sabathia announced moments ago that he is checking himself into an alcohol rehabilitation clinic.

"“Today I am checking myself into an alcohol rehabilitation center to receive the professional care and assistance needed to treat my disease,” Sabathia said in a statement. “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.”"

This news is coming just one day before the Yankees are scheduled to host the Houston Astros in a winner-take-all wild card matchup that will send the victor onto the American League Divisional Series.

Unfortunately, Sabathia’s stay in rehab will be for at least one month, meaning the Yankees will be without their veteran pitcher for the remainder of the post-season. Sabathia was scheduled to start either game two or three of the American League Divisional Series should the Yankees make it that far, but more importantly, the team will now be without a veteran leader. Not only was Sabathia the only starting pitcher on the Yankees roster with playoff experience, but he was also a vocal leader in the Yankees club house.

Over the course of his last nine outings, Sabathia sported a 2.86 ERA and held opponents to a .243 batting average and a .346 slugging percentage.

His presence on and off the field will certainly be missed by the New York Yankees as Tuesday nears, but one has to wonder if the incident in a Toronto night club a few week’s back was a precursor to today’s untimely news.

I’m wishing Sabathia and his family good health in his recovery, but the 35-year old pitcher undoubtedly just slapped this organization and their $23 million dollar commitment to him right in the face.

At the end of the day, adversity is just a test, and hopefully his teammates can overcome this setback in their quest for Mission 28.

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