Well, it had to happen. And it did. By all reports the hammer has dropped on the Indians trading CC Sabathia to Milwaukee.I'm a realist about baseball. You can't get too attached to the players you love, especially in a market like Cleveland.
That being said, I'm a little sad to see CC go.
He and I go way back. In fact, the first time I saw him pitch, was for the Akron Aeros back in 2000. I was working overnights at the time, and the Aeros were playing an afternoon, weekday double-header. The attraction ... Sabathia was pitching Game 1, and Danys Baez (the Tribe's hotshot Cuban signing) was starting Game 2.
CC looked HUGE in person ... and I remember an even bigger batter taking him yard. Still, it was pretty impressive. (By the way, Baez got ejected in Game 2 for throwing at a batter.)
I also remember being at then-Jacobs Field the very next season for CC's major league debut. He was just 20 years old, and had made the team out of spring training. Even more fun than watching CC on the hill, was sitting a few rows behind his mother, who was cheering as loud as she could for her little boy.
CC didn't win that day ... but he quickly won over the crowd.
So, now, CC is a Brewer. Probably never to return. The economics of the sport make deals like this happen ... and they'll keep trading favorites unless Mark Cuban buys the team.
So, I wish CC well ...
Oh, and by the way, if the names we're getting in this trade are correct, I think Mark Shapiro got fleeced. I'm ok with the stud hitter (LaPorta) ... but a lousy AAA pitcher and a closer-in-waiting in "A" ball ... I think we could have done better.
If that's the real deal ... and I'll wait to see if it is ... I am considering renouncing the Indians until Wedge and Shapiro are gone.
In the meantime, Go Cubs!
(EDIT: After posting this, new reports came out that a young 3B/2B may be the PTBNL in the deal. If that's the case, I may hold off on renouncing my fandom. Consider it in limbo right now.)
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