How CC Sabathia Broke a Baseball Curse

[@carlj12]

that image of Sabathia flexing on the mound after that last double play sums up the emotions of every Brewers fan that day. That man put the team on his back and carried the crew (and us fans) out of 26 years of misery

[@kayscritic]

we haven't really looked back either

[@rowleyjefferson5539]

Brewers fan here. I was literally gonna comment about how you should make a video about Sabathia’s legendary run with the brewers because that is such a fond time I remember as a young kid

[@tigercap100]

It's sad he was so hung up on race.

[@trvgicn1ghts888]

Me too man. This was a great time in Brewers history.

[@patrickkanas3874]

Same here, highlight of my life at the time

[@YOUNGPADAWON]

I’ve always been a Yankee Fan so I watched CC torch us in the Playoffs a few times But his run in MIL made me a brewers and a CC Fan

[@tmalecki1521]

God Damn, as a Brewers fan…watching CC go out every 3rd or 4th day for what felt like an entire month was surreal. He carried that team to the playoffs. And CC is a certified Milwaukee legend for that half seaosn

[@thegamingpigeon3216]

That's the thing people forget about those starts on short rest: Sveum didn't ask Sabathia to do that, Sabathia asked *HIM* if he could do it. And he did.

[@ethanniedorowski116]

I'm a redsoxs fan it an I was like I want that guy... needless to say I wasn't shocked who got him

[@ethanniedorowski116]

Did he bring them somewhere that year?

[@trevorschmitt-ernst4813]

Still see CC jersey at Brewers games all the time. Without a doubt the most popular Brewer in terms of time played and popularity. CC also led the Brewers in bWar in the 2008 season

[@jackhumbach9086]

I’m a Yankees fan and he was my favorite pitcher all time and even tho u guys only had him like 2.5 months I wouldn’t blame u for him being ur favorite too

[@joelnelson4770]

Thank you for such a wonderful video on this unforgettable part of Brewers history. CC's miraculous tenure with the Brewers will never be forgotten, regardless of how brief it was. Can't wait to see him in Cooperstown.

[@dirtymike3329]

Wish he retired a guardian

[@purple12701]

even with all of our recent success, i still think 2008 is my favorite season as a brewers fan. CC was just so magical that year and at six years old i absolutely fell in love with him.

[@harrisonalexander6203]

Another video idea that would be interesting is how the Rangers stole Cliff Lee away from the Yankees at the 2010 trade deadline and pitched them to their first world series

[@wanderingcartographer2479]

I grew up on brewers baseball and this was probably one of the first seasons I actually was old enough to understand and pay attention to the game. It was easily the most electrifying season of baseball I have ever been a part of. The whole state was a constant buzz of excitement, I wish they could have made a deeper run but my god that was one hell of a season

[@billcosby668]

I had many many amazing memories of watching CC for really all my life when he came to the Yanks. He’s a competitor and a workhorse. Man was still pitching not long ago and went out like he’s always been, a competitor. Memories of going to the Bronx during the incredible 09 season, are my finest

[@nicholasnapoleon7274]

Awesome video about a topic that doesn't get enough discussion. Lifelong Yanks fan but I never realized until pretty late in life how great of a player CC was before he made it to the Bronx.

[@sneersh9107]

I didn't realize until I watched this video lol. I was only 8 in 2008 so as far back as my baseball memories go I only ever knew CC as a Yankee

[@person1192]

Trade deadline week should be a week long holiday. Last years was one the craziest and best of all time

[@lebumcames3615]

12:25 nah, no hard feelings at all, not everyone can be like giannis and choose to stay in Milwaukee. CC gave us his all when he really had no reason to, during a contract year some players half ass it because they know someone will overpay for past performance (more common in baseball than any other sport tbf) some don't go all out for fear of injury, and some ball the fuck out like CC did. Knowing his performance from the 1st half of the year alone would get him paid, he put his body on the line pitching way more than any pitcher should/normally would, even back then. Nothing but respect for him after that half a year.

[@brianshaker1885]

I feel like Milwaukee is always the place to go if you want to get a great big contract. We're able to keep a few (Braun and Yelich), but for the most part, guys like C.C. and Grienke got PAID for what they did in Milwaukee. Milwaukee and Wisconsin, in general, is a very underrated sports town and state. We love our teams and players unconditionally (except Grayson Allen, he's got a face, not even a mother can love). So our players always seem to ball out when they're here. It's a pretty awesome bond. Mostly because we have nothing else to do in the cold, and we're all fat drunk Germans. But yeah, whenever someone says, "Why would anybody want to stay or go to Milwaukee, Green Bay, etc..?!?" They just don't understand when guys like Giannis and Portis stick around for sometimes less money. And they never will.

[@TheTEN24]

I remember this run for 2 reasons. 1; how impressive CC was and 2 how bad the Mets were in that final game. Still remember exactly where I was that day lmao. Great stuff Jolly CC is one of the best to do it always loved his game.

[@imthebause]

Wanted a Secret Base Rewinder episode about this run for so long. Missed opportunity, you get my view instead.

[@asdfaeou]

Thank you, Jolly for always helping me to remember the Baseball Stories I'd forgotten.

[@RipSizzla]

Love the Brewers content. Milwaukee has had some crazy seasons the last 10-15 years. Some really good teams that have been a few fluke plays away from real post season success

[@DiscGolfDom23]

I grew up a Cleveland fan. I was 10 years old in 2008 and I remember everything about those mid 2000s Tribe teams. CC Sabbathia is still loved here. He's always been a good guy and an amazing ballplayer. I can't wait for him to get into Cooperstown

[@phyllostomus]

When the brewers made the playoffs there was a giant rally underneath the Hoan Bridge. It was cold and rainy but so many people were there!

[@AE0323]

I’m a Brewers fan and I was 8 years old at the time C.C. got to Milwaukee. He was practically untouchable, it was the greatest stretch of pitching I’ve ever seem, and I got to watch Corbin Burnes a lot last year. I’ll never forget the run he had that season.

[@CharmCityGamer]

Good ol CC. I miss him. Thanks a bunch Jolly!

[@billnye1329]

As a brewer fan CC is still my favorite brewer pitcher ever and he only made 17 starts

[@aarondobres9063]

Great video Jolly Olive. One minor note--Cleveland did have at least one other black player on the roster in 2007, Josh Barfield. As Guardians fans we still have a lot of love for CC and his run for another small-market midwest team was fun to watch

[@ExhaustedElox]

I'll never be able to thank CC Sabathia enough for what he did for the Brewers. I grew up after the 82 season and the team he joined was the first time I felt like the Brew Crew was part of the wider MLB. It was the first time people outside my hometown were talking about my team. This and the Richie Sexton trade are the two biggest things that turned around the team in my life time. I want the Crew to win a title for Bob Uecker and for my dad and CC joining the team was the first step in that road to it.

[@stevemiller4292]

He was here 4 months and is my favorite brewer ever. Dude pitched on short rest when he had a monster payday coming because he wanted it that bad.

[@jagriffin1]

As a 30 year old Brewers fan I can tell you this was the most exciting time to be a fan in my life!

[@quinnhowell359]

So what I learned here was all cc needed was someone to give him a reason and he can overnight become the best pitcher in history

[@VenomousStare]

Great video Jolly, love this run from the Big Fella. Also featured a classic Mets collapse

[@ET-df2xz]

CC was only a brewer for 1/2 season but he is up there with the likes of Reggie White/Brett Favre/Giannis in terms of what he meant to changing a Wisconsin franchises trajectory. He was that important.

[@andrewsinclair6454]

Being from the Bay Area, I will always have love for CC. He’s a Vallejo legend

[@thomasguglielmo1509]

As a Yankees fan even before he came over, I was so impressed with his run w the Brewers, that I was jumping w joy for us yanks

[@brianshaker1885]

As a Brewer fan you couldn't help but to root for the Yankees so C.C. got his ring. Nobody deserved it more.

[@richardtherichard26]

I remember this as “the year the brewers made cc throw until his arm fell off” it seemed like every other day dude was pitching complete games. 1 run. 2 runs shut outs. Absolute horse. Mad respect for cc

[@mikewarner5583]

As a lifelong wisconsinite here, this was a great video and so damn true!!!! We have been relevant every year since!!!!

[@benestrada5589]

As a Cleveland fan, I loved CC’s run in Milwaukee, it was truly one of the most “fuck you Jobu, I’ll do it myself” moments in MLB history.

[@shaffer1174]

I'm 26 now and as a Brewers fan will absolutely never forget this run. I got to be at a game he pitched and hit a home run. Absolutely magic.

[@pedrogonzalez1625]

I love CC , he means a lot to me as a person, thank you for this video.

[@brianshaker1885]

I was at that game where they clinched... words can't describe it. That year, I tried to see as many games as I could with Sabathia in it. I saw him hit a home run in a game against the Reds (underrated home run hitter). You just knew when they got him something magical was going to happen. It seemed pre-ordained. It's weird, though. I completely forgot Yost was fired that year late season, and the Brewers went on a slide. It's funny how as time passes and the end result is great, you kind of overlook the blemishes, everything smoothes out, and you have nothing but rose colored googles on.

[@D0ugh.B0y]

Really enjoy your content. Thank you.

[@mayswillie]

great video. Im not a brewers fan but i remember being in awe of this run

[@skywizard3148]

Tribe fan, CC was a horse. I was lucky to see him pitch as a rookie, on a trip with my father. His pitching after that trade to Milwaukee was incredible. Always rooted for him, and really happy he got to win a world series during his ride. Peace

[@TB-vz8xg]

I got lucky and was a few sections past the dugout down the 1st Baseline for Sabathia's first start as a Brewer on July 8th. Miller Park was nuts that night.

[@mjt07f]

If CC doesn't make the HoF, we riot! More than a great pitcher, he's a great man.

[@vktesla]

That season was fucking epic man. We were in a race to get into the playoffs and needed wins bad and the guy pitched like four straight games at the end of the year, and absolute horse. Think he even threw the first game of our playoff series too. He was/is an absolute beast.

[@SomethinBrew1n]

It was a pleasure to have this man pitch in Milwaukee

[@markknudtson1248]

Bro this is a video highlighting one of the greatest moments of my life. Thank you for the video/story (:

[@kwquinn14]

9:49 I was at this game(162)! Unbelievably electric atmosphere!!

[@brandonoliver7624]

Great video bro, the way u ended it was beautiful

[@Hoontear]

As a young, lefty Cleveland fan, CC was why I started pitching. Broke my heart when we traded him but I'm very happy he had such a long, great career

[@nathanmcguire932]

YESSS! One of the best stories people forget about

[@JRob1125]

I was at the game where the Brewers clinched the wild card in 2008. To this day, I've never heard a crowd roar louder than when Braun hit that home run. (I've never been to a "good" playoff game though, only an 8th seed Bucks team who got swept by Detroit in '05 or '06) EDIT: I completely forgot about Ned Yost getting fired in the middle of September. Cold blooded 😬

[@thehistoricalgamer]

I was there for Game 5 of the NLDS vs the Diamondbacks in 2011... that was NUTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@JRob1125]

@@thehistoricalgamer I went to the division clincher that season. Lots on confetti and an electric crowd. I can only imagine what Game 5 NLDS was like.

[@BaseballCardIllustrated]

I missed the playoff clincher because my friend thought we should go somewhere to watch the Brewers game and Sunday NFL action on TV instead. Luckily, I was there for the division clincher and Game 5 against the Diamondbacks

[@brianshaker1885]

I was at the game, too... It's funny how that one game completely made you forget about all the bad shit before it. The confetti is coming down, people crying. And my guy (Craig Counsell) got walked to keep the inning alive and put a man on before Braun got to the plate. I remember that whole inning was so nerve-wracking because it was the 6th or 7th, and they HAD to score to make the most of Sabathias start. They had better hitters than Counsell come up, Corey Hart, for instance. But I was so nervous when he stepped to the plate because nobody was better at getting a hit or hitting into a double play than Corey Hart. Fortunately, he was struck out or lined out or popped up. Fans at the game were cheering him on the whole time, and I couldn't even watch. Then Counsell comes in, I immediately pop up and cheer because that guy comes through in the clutch, and he's one of us... he gets it, he gets the moment (but at the time, he was always a 200 hitter, yah know? So I get it). Everyone else goes quiet because it's Counsell, but then the count starts getting worked up, and people begin to rise and cheer. And he gets a walk. HUGE. Suddenly, our savior, the immortal Ryan Braun, comes to the plate, I believe, with two outs, and the rest is history. Constant cheering the whole way through from the whole crowd, it was electric. And when he smoked that home run, my god, it was a no-doubter as soon as you heard it make contact with the bat. Line-drive home run. Unbelievable moment. Why are you a fan. And let me tell you something else I think most people agree with. The Brewers made it further in 2011, but nobody really remembers that in comparison. 2008 and C.C. was the year that will always stand out.

[@OgStewieGriffin]

7:14 was definitely an error and that’s coming from a reds fan. The fact they called that a hit just makes me wonder who the hell was scoring that game.

[@stevenlapidus5939]

I am guessing that man had too many beers before the game and had no clue what he was doing.

[@BaseballCardIllustrated]

The Pirates official scorer attempted to defend that awful decision for years afterward, calling it not a routine play that could have been made with ordinary effort. I suppose that is true ... if you are a 60-year old man sitting in the press box all day. While CC fumbled that chance, he probably gets an out there 95 times out of 100. The Brewers actually appealed to MLB to get the ruling changed, but the league said no to that (which admittedly they probably should have since nonody knows for sure how the last few innings would have played out if he had the no-no going).

[@geezushasrisen]

My all time favorite pitcher. If I need a win, gimme Cy Young CC.

[@Jon.Coppernoll]

CC led all of MLB in shutouts in 2008 with 5, and he also led each league individually. He threw 2 shutouts with Cleveland (T-1st in the AL) and 3 with Milwaukee (T-1st in the NL). This is one of my favorite trivial stats

[@jonathangasana]

I remember how good CC was during that run. Flat out un- hittable and dominate, I was scared that he was going to no- hit my Cards cause he was that good.

[@charlesgorman4919]

CC Sabathia is the man. Great pitcher, great person, and great competitor. He is my favorite NY Yankees pitcher of all time. Close second is Andy Pettitte.

[@petrodollar6321]

As a Mets fan this killed me. I always say he literally carried that team that year. Not to mention he literally pitched a complete and hit a home run that was literally the only run of the game.

[@anthonyrodriguez4574]

I know you talked briefly on the 2008 deadline but can you make a full video? That was a crazy deadline

[@louiscarter2405]

These videos are perfect during eating lol

[@Rymann_23]

Great video Jolly! Did the Brewers really miss the playoffs for 28 years in a row???? That makes our drought look like chump change LMAO

[@kylepratt425]

Nowhere close to a Bruins fan, but I found ways to watch C.C. going supernova for the Brew Crew back when sports streaming was a nightmare. It was just that electric.

[@natehoughton6725]

Every team the Brewers have faced in the playoffs have either made or won the World Series, shoutout to CC for starting my love for the Brewers and baseball

[@chriscampbell3417]

You know one of the major airline have stated that they are going to focus on diversity. Making sure black pilots are fairly represented among the company. Not the best pilots mind you. They arnt going to focus on the best pilots, with the most hours, top of their class, safe, nope black pilots… 🤦🏻‍♂️. Sure builds my confidence in that company! This is essentially what CC was doing in Cleveland. He didn’t want to team to get the beat players regardless of color who could idk help them win a championship. He just wanted black players.

[@anthonymorabito32]

CC was by far the most intimidating pitcher in the league that year, and it was not even close. What a beast.

[@nono_no]

What a legend

[@aidanwolf7954]

Another awesome video 👍

[@JohnReedy07163]

I'll never forgive CC for not trying in 2008. The Tribe was 1 win away from the World Series, He and Fausto both won 19 games and were both in the top 5 for the Cy Young with CC winning. And Cliff Lee was in the Minors reworking his game. In 2008, Cleveland had two of the top 5 CYA finalists, a returning and focused Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, Garko, Kelly Shoppach, Casey Blake, Peralta and Asdrubal Cabrera. Hell they'd even offload Eduardo Perez for Shin Soo Choo. But then CC showed up lazier than before, Fausto got injured (Cause his real name was Roberto and he was 3 years older than he claimed), Victor Martinez got injured early, Travis Hafner's knees and head went to shit after Mark Beuhrle drilled him in the head for the 5th time in 2 years, Joe Borowski pitched to a 7.56 ERA and got canned, Casey Blake got Traded for Carlos Santana, Jake Westbrook got injured and made 5 starts and wasn't seen again until 2010 went he got shipped to St. Louis in time to win the 2011 World Series. The hope of a 4 headed monster rotation with CC, Lee, Westbrook and Lee, along with a lineup of Allstars in Peralta, Martinez, Sizemore and Hafner, as well as young guys like Cabrera and Garko and the always steady veteran in Casey Blake, completely fell apart and it looked to me as a Tribe fan, the biggest reason was the ace just didn't even care anymore.

[@beardent9]

a banger like always

[@mattpritzl4669]

CC was everything for us

[@PravdaKatyusha]

The Brewers 2018 playoff story is also great, if also bittersweet.

[@brianshaker1885]

That's the other special moment in my lifetime. I was there for game 7. One game away from the World Series. I knew they wouldn't beat the Red Sox that year. But who cares, it would have been a World Series appearance. Watching that team and that game was like being there when the tide went down. You always had hope, but you ultimately knew it was their last best chance.

[@mrcalderon93]

Sabathia was my favorite pitcher during that era, as a cub fan he really should of won the Cy young that year

[@smotpoker81]

cc started this run. we had some shit years in between but it as cc and his complete games that reminded us all that we can win in wisconsin

[@danr154]

I remember all this as a Cubs fan too. He was incredible. Also low-key and also forgotten: the Cubs made a corresponding move and traded for Rich Harden, who also pitched his ass off just not so many innings. Harden was a super nasty pitcher when healthy, a good choice for some "what could have been" thinkpiece.

[@travisrowe7697]

Not sure if it’s been done, but Randy Johnson with Houston should have a video. I always think of cc’s brewers run and Randy’s Houston time together. 2 dominant lefties going to the NL and putting up one of the best second halves ever.

[@patrickmanway290]

The Indians were the greatest talent factory in MLB. Look at all the great players that started out with that team.

[@dustinbeat4058]

Yeah and they didn't like to spend money to keep them either

[@iamhungey12345]

1980s and 1990s Expos were that as well, after 1994 they were turned into a farm team. 2000s Marlins were this to an extent though they at least were able to win with some of these talents in 2003 which turns out may be the only ring Cabrera will have.

[@patrickmanway290]

Being a Cleveland baseball fan is very surreal sometimes.

[@dustinbeat4058]

@@patrickmanway290 yeah I agree. I'm just glad we paid ramirez

[@patrickmanway290]

@@dustinbeat4058 Being a small market team sucks because you only have a small window when it comes to the playoffs.

[@peterignatowski1882]

CC will always be loved in Milwaukee. We knew we couldn't pay him what he'd get on the open market. But he was willing to carry this team during a contract year and risk losing millions for a team he only played on for about 4 months. The Brewers may not be the franchise they are today without him. No, they haven't won a World Series or anything like that, but before that season they were a joke my entire life. Now they're at least a respectable, competitive team year in and year out. And it all started with CC.

[@willm3027]

I remember thinking Yankees will surely sign him and was hoping the brewers will go home early… sabathia was pitching every 3 days I believe.

[@jalenking810]

As a brewers fan it’s hard to describe the carry job he did for us

[@mrpaul79]

LOL @ the size discrepancy between CC and Jason Kendall when they clinched.

[@brianshaker1885]

Oh I forgot about Jason Kendall! Vastly underrated Brewer. Properly rated Pirate.

[@tag206]

Did he blossom? Love the videos.

[@tgproductions97]

And then he came to the Bronx. Love me some CC

[@nicholassimdon5994]

Wonderful Video

[@bramvanroo3120]

As a brewers fan, you look back and 2008 kinda made everything happen for 2011 and this golden age of brewers play because we could have been sellers if not for our wild card spot in 08

[@adamm7368]

Another jolly olive W

[@dannytran1587]

love these endings

[@DrPlatypus1]

Didn't think race had anything whatsoever to do with pitching talent but here we are. Jesus Christ.

[@ianfeuerhake1859]

Cubs didn’t even use a starter in that last game. Lou was obsessed with resting the starters and veteran players before the playoffs. This helped pad Sveum’s resume, and he ended up managing the Cubs, and looked like he was having trouble staying awake for two seasons.

[@brianshaker1885]

Yeah, I know. Thanks, probable Cubs fan, for putting a little shade into that moment that it was a pitch by committee game for the Cubs. I'll throw you a little shade back, buddy. Weren't the Cubs shut out that post-season? Didn't the fact that the Brewers won one game in their playoff series mean they won one more game than the big Cubs that year? Yeah, I know the Cubs won a World Series, and the Brewers haven't. And yes, their trade for Soriano that year was just as legendary for Cubs fans as ours was for C.C. but again, you threw shade first.

[@ianfeuerhake1859]

@@brianshaker1885 it's more of a frustration at Lou and the Cubs. Felt like they quit trying after they clinched a playoff spot with 10 games left in the regular season. Not saying with any certainty that they would've beaten CC and the Brewers in game 162 if they would've used starting pitchers and players that weren't September call-ups, but it was frustrating that they didn't try harder in a game that meant something to a division rival, and they paid the price for it by getting swept in the postseason

[@bitcoinbatman3772]

My dad still to this day brings up the no hitter

[@ItBeHurka]

My favorite CC Sabathia memory with the Brewers was the Shane Victorino grand slam in NLDS Game 2.

[@edvaira6891]

The Brewers won the AL Pennant in 1982, which was TWENTY SIX Years before the 2008 season, not 28 years where they lost in Seven to the Cardinals

[@jaxonstapleford3805]

Either way 20 something years still ass

[@OH_MY_DOGGG]

Also a solid vet Ray Durham on the team

[@joealbrecht8940]

I think the there is no better way to sum up CC's dominate, yet brief, run with the Brewers than the fact that the Brewers did a "decade" theme bobble head a few years ago honoring one player from each decade the team has been in existence. The player they chose for the 2000's? CC Sabathia. No one argued the choice.

[@TurnOffYourTV]

Legend.

[@bubblerman]

7:59 Brewers legend Eric Gagne

[@shoukatsukai]

and Cubs Legend Kosuke Fukudome

[@brianshaker1885]

Lol.

[@Nyg5618]

You know what would have been magical? Seeing the Jolly JoZoe’s win even one game in the 1-inning blitz-ball league. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

[@Nekid31]

I think if that kind of season happened today he’d win the cy young

[@bjnowak]

Well done

[@kevinfrost8190]

Please do a video about how good Chase Utley was and how he was robbed of the 06, 07, 08, 09 MVPs! He was way better than everyone remembers

[@shoukatsukai]

MLB Power Pros Legend CC Sabathia

[@logansvideos95]

It is SO strange seeing Randy Johnson in the mid-2000s dbacks jersey

[@uncleslumbago3182]

The 2007 Indians also blew a 3 games to 1 lead in that ALCS. Ouch.