OTD 2008: Brewers Acquired CC Sabathia From CLE

July 7, 2008: Milwaukee #Brewers acquired impending free agent SP CC Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for 4 players, including OF Michael Brantley. Sabathia went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA to clinch MIL’s 1st postseason in a quarter century
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— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 7, 2021

CC Sabathia made his MLB debut as a 20-year-old in 2001 with the Cleveland Indians. He generated a remarkable rookie campaign, winning 17 starts and striking out 171 batters in 180 innings. Despite playing great overall, he began to struggle in his contract-ending season of 2008, starting 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA. With his free agency impending and the playoffs in sight for contending squads, Cleveland traded their star pitcher to the Milwaukee Brewers for four players (including future All-Star Michael Brantley). 

For the remainder of the 2008 season, CC strung together quality start after quality start, finishing the year at 11-2 with a minuscule 1.65 ERA. In just two months of play, the Brewers ace garnered a handful of Cy Young votes en route to pushing the Brewers to their first postseason birth since 1982. They ultimately lost in the first round to the eventual champion Philadelphia Phillies. Sabathia left MIL in the offseason to win the following season’s World Series with the New York Yankees after signing a record 7y/$161M contract.

In honor of @CC_Sabathia's 40th birthday, let's throw it back to his incredible run with the @Brewers in 2008. pic.twitter.com/n7nfyN97gG

— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) July 21, 2020

On this day in 2008 the @Yankees signed @CC_Sabathia, who would go on to win 134 games and register 1,700 Ks with the team in 11 seasons.

On Dec 22, The CC Sabathia Story will premiere on @hbomax. 👀 pic.twitter.com/jbcdmVQzCl

— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 10, 2020

Happy birthday, @CC_Sabathia!

CC is one of 3 lefties to toss 3,000+ Ks (R. Johnson, Carlton). pic.twitter.com/okJPvkiYXw

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) July 22, 2020