the hotel while the Yankees were on the road in Baltimore; he had also been drinking in the clubhouse after a game that had been cancelled due to rain. "'I love baseball and I love my teammates like brothers,' said Sabathia in a statement, '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.'" In March 2016, Sabathia opened up about his battle with alcoholism in an essay for The Players’ Tribune. In July 2017, Sabathia started the R2C2 podcast with co-host Ryan Ruocco as part of The Players' Tribune. In May 2018, the podcast moved to the UNINTERRUPTED podcast network. In December 2018, after developing shortness of breath and other symptoms, Sabathia underwent a cardiac catheterization and was found to have a blockage of a coronary artery. A stent was placed to open the blockage. After his heart scare, Sabathia undertook a major exercise and diet program, losing 60 pounds from his peak weight. In 2021, Sabathia's original team, the Cleveland Indians, dedicated a Cleveland baseball field in his honor, named "CC Sabathia Field at Luke Easter Park" (Easter himself also being a former Indian). See also Cleveland Indians award winners and league leaders List of Major League Baseball annual shutout leaders List of Major League Baseball career batters faced leaders List of Major League Baseball career games started leaders List of Major League Baseball career hit batsmen leaders List of Major League Baseball career innings pitched leaders List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders 3,000 strikeout club References External links CC Sabathia's official website The PitCCh In Foundation 1980 births Living people African-American baseball players Akron Aeros players American League All-Stars American League Championship Series MVPs American League wins champions Baseball players from California Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Burlington Indians players (1986–2006) Cleveland Indians players Columbus RedStixx players Cy Young Award winners Kinston Indians players Mahoning Valley Scrappers players Major League Baseball pitchers Milwaukee Brewers players New York Yankees players People from Alpine, New Jersey Trenton Thunder players Sportspeople