Former New York Yankees starter CC Sabathia has been in Domingo German’s shoes before.
He opted out of the 2015 season to attend rehab for alcohol abuse, even though the playoffs were right around the corner. But Sabathia hit “rock bottom” and needed to find help to get back on track.
German hit rock bottom this season after an incident in the clubhouse in which he allegedly became “belligerent” and witnesses “determined that German was under the influence of alcohol.”
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Domingo German of the New York Yankees pitches in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31, 2023 in New York City. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
On August 2, the Yankees announced that German had voluntarily entered a treatment facility for alcohol abuse and would be placed on the restricted list, expected to remain for the remainder of the season.
“It is important that Domingo remain fully focused on addressing his health and well-being, and we respect his privacy as he begins this process,” the Yankees said in a statement.
While German is in recovery, Sabathia shared what helped him curb his addiction.
“You just have to really dig into the problem and understand it,” Sabathia said at the PitCCh In Foundation’s third annual charity golf tournament in New Jersey. “For me, going to rehab was a last resort. I was at rock bottom and I was going to figure out why I couldn’t stop drinking. It was either he was ready to understand or he Only until he’s ready to stop. “He’ll stop, he’ll try to get you to stop. You can’t force someone not to become addicted.”
Domingo German admitted to alcohol abuse treatment center after Yankees clubhouse incident: Report
As Sabathia points out, all recovering addicts accept the problem and know that at the end of the day they have to face it head on. A good support system like the Yankees in this case and friends and family can also be of great help.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in August, “We know that the steps Domingo took today are very important and necessary, and we hope they are game-changers.” spoke to the moon.
Manager Aaron Boone said, “In a way, this goes back many years. I mean, I think we all probably have someone in our lives that we can relate to. It’s always an ongoing battle. So , I don’t know,” he added. In terms of recent history or even earlier, it goes back to about 19 years. ”
German had no prior alcohol abuse issues reported by the Yankees, but he was suspended for 81 games by MLB in 2019 following an incident with his girlfriend.
New York Yankees player Domingo German heads to the dugout during the bottom of the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Center in Toronto on May 16, 2023. (Bourne Ridley/Getty Images)
According to The Athletic, the incident occurred at a celebration hosted by Sabathia during his final year with the Yankees, where German was seen slapping his girlfriend. German was reportedly drunk at the time and became violent after the gala.
No police report was filed because the authorities were not notified. However, MLB intervened and suspended German on January 2, 2020, causing him to miss the entire 60-game season that was shortened due to the coronavirus. He finally returned on October 6, 2020.
“I was able to speak with each player on the team,” German said in a statement during 2021 spring training. “The only acceptable way to start moving forward was to tell them face to face. It’s worth repeating again today what I told the team. There are a lot of young players wearing this uniform. And I want them to understand that if you make a mistake like I did, it can be costly. ”
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This season has been quite a roller coaster for German, with the obvious highlight being his 24th perfect game in MLB history against the Oakland Athletics on June 29th. He became the fourth perfect game in Yankees history.
The German pitched 108.2 innings in 20 games (19 starts) with 114 strikeouts and a 4.56 ERA.
But before Jarman can start thinking about baseball again, he must address another issue that affects him both on and off the diamond.
“The ball is in his court. It’s up to him to really try to understand what’s going on with him,” Sabathia said.
Sabathia returned to the pitcher’s mound in 2016 and did not retire until he was 38 years old after the 2019 season.
Since retiring in 2019, CC Sabathia, pictured here with his wife Amber, has led the growth of baseball through his roles as an advisor to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and vice president of the Players Alliance. I’ve been focusing on continuing. (Matt Hayward/Getty Images, TAO Group/File)
Since retiring, Sabathia has made significant contributions through his role as an advisor to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and as vice president of the Players Alliance, which is focused on building a fair system to change the trajectory of MLB. We have been focusing on continuing the development of baseball. Diversity throughout baseball.
Sabathia’s PitCCh In Foundation also supports the effort, and he and his wife Amber, who serves as executive director, have family ties. She called the foundation her “fifth child.” This is because they care about the young people they support as if they were their own children. Started in Cleveland in 2008, he has since extended his impact to communities in California, New York, and New Jersey through his All-Star Baseball clinics, youth backpack programs, and field renovations.
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The foundation’s golf tournament, which Sabathia has loved to play every year since he took up golf after retirement, is an important fundraiser for the Sabathia family to continue to give back and provide the next generation with the resources to pursue their dreams. be.
