Above everything else baseball related, the hope here is that New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia will get the help needed to get his house in order off the baseball diamond.
Any time a professional athlete's career comes to an abrupt halt due to a substance abuse issue, the attention should be on the well-being of the individual.
Upon announcing his intention to ener rehab, Sabathia released this statement through the Yankees organization:
"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. I want to thank the New York Yankees organization for their encouragement and understanding. Their support gives me great strength and has allowed me to move forward with this decision with a clear mind."
The hope here is that Sabathia does get it right and is able to rejoin the team next season.
With that said, the breaking news from New York on Monday indicating that Sabathia, 35, will not be available during the playoffs after checking himself into rehab does have a direct impact on the team moving forward.
New York will face the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card game on Tuesday.
After so many great seasons with the Cleveland Indians and Yankees, Sabathia has struggled on the bump recently. Over the past three seasons, he boasts a 23-27 record with an ERA of well over 4.80. During that very same span, the former CY Young winner possesses a WHIP of 1.43.
It would be foolhardy and disrespectful to indicate that substance abuse has played a role in Sabathia's recent struggles. What we do know, and after coming off a 29-start season, he will be missed from a baseball standpoint should the Yankees advance to the ALDS this week.