Larry Bowa Thinks CC Sabathia Needs to Get Fat Again to Dominate
August 8, 2013 · Chris Stephens · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Just when you think you’ve heard it all, MLB Tonight commentator Larry Bowa had some interesting comments to say about New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia.
Starting from the 44-second mark, Bowa talks about how Sabathia has lost too much weight and how previous big-boned pitchers had success because they could “drive off those legs.”
Even Yankee fans have gotten in on the action:
While those do create some laughs, the drop in weight is considered (by one talent evaluator) to be the source of Sabathia’s problems, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:
“The weight loss has created a balance problem for him,” said one talent evaluator. “He’s all over the place. He’s learning how to pitch in that body, a body he’s really never had. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with him other than that. Sometimes you pitch at a certain weight all your life and then someone has the brilliant idea that you should lose weight because it’s putting stress on your knees, you do it, and then you’re dealing with something else.”
It’s an interesting assessment considering Sabathia was great when he was heavy. All of a sudden, he loses the weight and he’s struggling on the mound.
Nobody is advocating for Sabathia to be unhealthy, but it is ironic that he was at his best when he was at his heaviest.
Another Theory
I’m going to throw one more theory out there.
Sabathia could be struggling because of normal wear and tear. He was a workhorse for so long that it’s finally catching up with him.
Entering 2013, he averaged 213.2 innings per year. Stretch that over 12 years and that’s a lot of innings. Throw in an additional 107.1 postseason innings in his career and you have a lot on your plate.
In the last six years, he’s never pitched less than 200 innings and even pitched a combined 494 regular-season innings from 2007-08.
Needless to say, there are a lot of miles on Sabathia.
Anything to Worry About?
Sabathia has been in a slump this year, but it shouldn’t be anything to worry about moving forward.
Every player has an off-year and this just happens to be the one for Sabathia.
Justin Verlander has been off this year as well, so it’s not abnormal.
Sabathia will eventually make the necessary adjustments and should return to vintage form. It just might not be in time for the Yankees to make a playoff run.
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