CC Sabathia reveals details of his battle with alcoholism

The baseball world was stunned when, on the eve of the New York Yankees’ AL wild-card game against the Houston Astros, CC Sabathia announced he checking in to a alcohol rehabilitation center. After spending a month in rehab, Sabathia is ready to tell his story.

Sabathia went on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Friday alongside his wife Amber, and revealed his problem with alcohol dated back to 2012.

“In 2012, I kind of came to the realization I was an alcoholic, and I was kind of battling it without any help. I would go a couple, you know, two, three months at a time sober, and then I would just relapse, and, you know, go on these weekends when I thought nobody was paying attention, and I would get in a hotel room and drink out of the minibar, pretty much everything.”

But it wasn’t until recently that he was ready to accept help. He continued to drink regularly and began planning his life around the next time he could consume alcohol, but did clarify he did not drink at the stadium or before his starts.

Sabathia’s breaking point came in Baltimore during the Yankees’ final regular season series of the year. Not scheduled to pitch, Sabathia recounts a 48-hour drinking binge, mostly by himself in his hotel room. It was Oct. 4, that he went to Yankees manager Joe Girardi and admitted he was an alcoholic. The next day Sabathia made his way to a rehab center in Connecticut. Sabathia also spoke to the huge relief that came with opening up and getting treated.

“I was just tired of hiding. I just felt such a relief that everybody knows now. … I can start the healing process and take the steps forward to get myself better.

“I look to be a role model in staying sober and kind of leading by example. I’m just here to say this disease has no color, you know, no age, and it’s very serious, so I advise anybody if they’re out there feeling like they need help to get it.”

Sabathia struggled on the mound this season, posting a 6-10 record with a 4.73 ERA, and the six-time All-Star and 2007 AL Cy Young winner hasn’t been at the top of his game for the last three seasons.

Before he turns his baseball career around, though, he has more important things to deal with. It won’t be an easy road, but he’s taking the necessary steps to combat the issue and is embracing the public nature of his situation.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr