Get All Access for $5/mo

'I Don't Make Decisions Based on Money': Yankees Great CC Sabathia on Taking Chances That Define Your Character The future Hall of Fame pitcher discusses his personal philosophy of doing things for the right reasons.

By Dan Bova

Al Bello | Getty Images

The decisions we make define our lives, impacting people and the world around us. Some decisions are small ("Yes, I will have extra guacamole on my burrito!"), some are big ("Yes, I will marry you!"), and then there's the decision that Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia made in 2018. By anybody's standards, it was huge.

In his final game of the season, Sabathia was pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was just two innings away from earning a $500,000 bonus for pitching 155 innings during the season. But after Tampa Bay reliever Andrew Kittredge threw a pitch behind the neck of Yankees catcher Austin Romine, Sabathia had his thoughts on something besides protecting his sizeable payday. He decided to protect his teammates instead.

Despite getting a warning from the ump, Sabathia hit Tampa Bay Rays' batter Jesus Sucre in the sixth inning and was promptly ejected from the game. His bonus was gone, but his loyalty was alive and well. (And, happily, so was his bonus. When the season ended, the Yanks paid their star his bonus anyway.)

Related: Yankees Legend Bernie Williams on Aaron Judge and the Power of a Good Nickname

I asked Sabathia about the incident and his life in and out of baseball at a recent Poland Spring event at Yankee Stadium. Some highlights of that conversation are below. And if you are looking for even more highlights? Scroll down to check out the video of me facing the big man in the batting cage. If there are any baseball scouts reading this, I want to be clear that I am undrafted and ready to go!

Looking back on throwing that fateful pitch

"I'd do it a hundred times out of a hundred. It's just one of those things where if you're on a team, it's your family. I don't really make decisions based on money."

On pushing through adversity

"I think just whatever your process is, try doing the small things every single day. You stack up enough good days in a row and you look up one day and then you'll be where you want to be."

On coaching his kids

"I never coach my kids. Just let them play and have fun and be kids and enjoy the game. My dad was an overbearing coach, and it kind of made our relationship hard. So I chose the opposite approach."

On getting back in the game

"Oh, no, no, no. I watch the game as a fan. I don't have any lingering baseball feelings. I don't get emotional up or down about it. If the Yankees lose or whatever, it doesn't bother me. I'm just a fan now."

Watch CC Sabathia face his toughest batter yet

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

10 Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs That Investors Love (Even If They Seem Like Jerks)

This article explores a thought-provoking question: Why do many successful entrepreneurs exhibit traits that might label them as "jerks?"

Innovation

These Entrepreneurs Created a League That Turns Gamers Into Pro Race Car Drivers: 'We're Giving Drivers a Sustainable Career Path'

Racing Prodigy's innovative E2Real sports league is lowering the high-cost barrier to entry for drivers to take their passion to the track.

Franchise

McDonald's Announces the Return of the Snack Wrap in 2025 — Here's What to Expect From Its Comeback

The decision comes after years of persistent customer demand for the portable snack, which debuted nearly two decades ago.

Business News

'Faster, Smarter, and More Relevant': Reddit Tests AI That Combs the Site For You

The AI is like a blend of Google and ChatGPT, tailored specifically for Reddit.

Leadership

Want To Be A Better Coach At Work? Start With These Unexpected Insights

I had many coaches outside of business teach me invaluable lessons about developing people.