CC Sabathia Opens Up About Alcoholism Battle During Iowa Field of Dreams Visit
Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia shared a deeply personal account of his struggle with alcoholism during his visit to Iowa for Netflix's exclusive broadcast of the 2026 Field of Dreams game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. The former New York Yankees ace revealed that unresolved grief over the deaths of three family members fueled years of heavy drinking that nearly derailed his career.
Sabathia, 46, checked into rehab for alcohol addiction just before the 2015 MLB Postseason, a move that shocked Yankees fans and the baseball world. Now, more than a decade later, he is opening up about the pain that led him to that moment and the journey that followed.
What drove CC Sabathia to drink?
Sabathia told Us Weekly that the roots of his alcoholism trace back to a devastating stretch in the early 2000s when he lost three of the most important people in his life within a six-month period.
My dad passed away in December of 2003. My uncle passed away in April of 2004, and then my cousin passed away in June of 2004. I never dealt with those deaths and those three are the closest people to me in my life, he said.
Sabathia explained that his uncle served as a father figure after his parents split, coaching him and taking him to every football practice. His cousin was that uncle's son. The triple loss left wounds that Sabathia buried deep, and he never sought help processing the grief.
I had no problem out on the field. It was everything else after that, trying to deal with that, Sabathia said. I guess it all kind of worked out, but it made for some tough years in between with the drinking and stuff.
When did Sabathia realize he had a problem?
The turning point came during a road trip to Baltimore at the end of the 2015 season. After a drinking binge in his hotel room that carried into the next day, Sabathia realized he was about to throw a bullpen session while still drunk. The sobering moment forced him to confront what he had been avoiding for years.
Sabathia checked into rehab immediately, missing the start of the postseason. The Yankees supported his decision, and he returned later in the playoffs to help the team advance.
How did grief affect Sabathia's career decisions?
Sabathia revealed that his father's death nearly kept him from signing with the Yankees in 2009, despite the team offering the largest free agent contract for a starting pitcher in MLB history at the time.
That was the reason why it took me so long to end up signing there because my dad had passed away, and if I showed up in New York and failed? He wasn't gonna be able to be there to tell me that it was okay, Sabathia said. So I think I was a little nervous about taking on that challenge.
The gamble paid off. Sabathia helped lead the Yankees to a World Series championship in his first season with the club and was named MVP of the American League Championship Series after two dominant starts against the Los Angeles Angels.
What does Sabathia's Yankees number retirement mean to him?
Sabathia went on to pitch 11 seasons in New York, cementing his legacy as one of the franchise's most dependable arms. In September, the Yankees will retire his No. 52, an honor that carries deep emotional weight for the pitcher.
He's the first person that always comes to my mind when I get these accomplishments because he made me believe that it was going to be true, Sabathia said of his father. So, when I think about myself going into Monument Park or my number going up there, I think his face should be up there.
Why does Sabathia's story matter to Iowa baseball fans?
Sabathia's appearance in Iowa for the Field of Dreams game connects his personal journey to the heartland's deep baseball tradition. The event, held at the iconic cornfield site in Dyersville, celebrates the sport's roots and the values of family, perseverance and redemption that resonate strongly with Iowa communities.
His story serves as a reminder that even elite athletes face personal battles, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. For fans who remember his dominant performances or who have faced similar struggles, Sabathia's honesty offers both inspiration and a cautionary tale about the dangers of unresolved grief.
Sabathia's Hall of Fame career includes 251 wins, 3,093 strikeouts and the 2009 World Series title. His number retirement ceremony is scheduled for September at Yankee Stadium.