CC Sabathia is not one to let go of a grudge, even if he is no longer playing.
The former Yankees pitcher sounded off on Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, who – after defeating the Minnesota Twins in their first-round wild-card matchup last week – taunted the team’s critics and said, “I know a lot of people are mad. I know a lot of people don’t want to see us here, but what are they going to say now.”
Correa’s comments did not sit well with critics of the Astros, which included Sabathia, who ripped into the shortstop on his latest “R2C2” podcast.
“They cheated and then they’re made at us. Like get the f—k out of here,” Sabathia said with a chuckle. “It’s a f—king joke. And then you finish under .500 this year. Like, shut the f—k up … The kid’s a clown, I’m sorry.”
Sabathia was part of the Yankees’ team in 2017 that lost to the Astros in seven games in the ALCS and again in 2019 when Houston disposed of the Yankees in six games. The Astros were disciplined this offseason after an MLB investigation determined they electronically stole signs and used a trash can to relay the pitches to the hitters.
There were internet rumors that the Astros had found a more advanced method of stealing signs in 2019, although those rumors were unfounded.
Sabathia, however, admitted he had mixed feelings when it came to the 2020 Astros because of their manager, Dusty Baker, who replaced A.J. Hinch after MLB suspended him for the season due to the scandal.
“He’s like a big uncle, so that’s my guy,” Sabathia said of Baker. “So, for him to be managing, I’m happy that he was able to win another playoff series. Shows how great of a manager he is. But man, f—k them dudes, man.”
The Astros face the Oakland A’s in the ALDS – which will include whistleblower Mike Fiers pitching for Oakland – while the Yankees face the Rays. It is entirely possible the Yankees and Astros square off in the ALCS for the third time in the last four years if each team wins their respective series.
Surely, Sabathia will have more to say if that indeed happens.
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