Yankees do the right thing and give C.C. Sabathia his $500k bonus

Despite falling six outs shy of reaching 155 innings pitched last season, due to an ejection in his final start, the Yankees generously paid C.C. Sabathia his $500k bonus anyway.

Remembering back to Sept. 27, Rays pitcher Andrew Kittredge threw a 93-mph fastball behind the head of Yankees catcher, Austin Romine. This was supposedly in retaliation of C.C. Sabathia hitting Jake Bauers on the hand with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Though warnings were issued to both benches by home plate umpire, Vic Carapazza, the 18-year veteran, Sabathia, needed to be restrained by manager Aaron Boone.

With the Yankees opening an 11-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, Sabathia took the mound and the law (Sylvester Stallone voice) into his own hands. The big fella immediately plucked Rays catcher Jose Sucre on the lower left thigh, prompting Carapazza to eject both Sabathia and Boone.

It was just the 55th pitch of the evening for the resurgent left-hander, and his exit from the contest meant that he’d fall a total of six outs (two innings) shy of 155 for the season — therefore missing out on a $500,000 contractual bonus.

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Following the Yanks’ 12-1 victory, NJ.com reported that Sabathia was both unaware of unfazed about the money he’d cost himself.

“Anytime your player’s safety is in jeopardy, I think all guys take exception to that,” Sabathia said during his post-game interview. “I don’t really make decisions based on money, I guess. I just felt like it was the right thing to do.”

However, one of Sabathia’s greatest attributes has always been his character. So not only did the Yankees reward him this offseason with a one-year, $8 million deal but general manager, Brian Cashman also decided to pay the bonus Sabathia would have likely received had he not stuck up for his teammate.

Just four wins shy of 250 for his career, Sabathia’s agent, Kyle Thousand of Roc Nation Sports had nothing but pleasantries for the AP on Monday.

“We thought it was a very nice gesture by the Yankees… CC was very appreciative and is really excited to come back next year and hopefully win a championship.”

Though he’s suspended for the first five games of the 2019 season (likely missing one start), Sabathia’s 10 years in the Bronx have been magical, not only from a statistical standpoint but also because he’s a consummate professional that’s always looking out for his teammates while continuing the charitable works of his PitCCH In Foundation.