CC Sabathia has been one of the most dominate pitchers in the Major Leagues over the last few seasons. Sabathia is a four time All-Star. He was the 2007 Cy Young Award recipient and has finished in the top five in two of the last three years for the award. He has also won the most games out of any Major League pitcher in the last two seasons and led the New York Yankees to the 2009 World Series title. CEO Steve Sclafani sits down with CC Sabathia to discuss his journey as a high school player through Baseball Factory’s showcase division, Team One. Below is a transcript of that interview.
 
Baseball Factory: How did you hear about Team One Baseball?
CC Sabathia: I heard about Team One through my summer coach.  JJ Sherrill [who also ended up being drafted by the Cleveland Indians] and I traveled from California to Florida for the Team One showcase.

Baseball Factory: How was the talent at the Team One event you attended?
CC Sabathia: I was very excited to be at the event.  It was a little intimidating at the time. It was great to play against that type of talent.  Having all of those guys, Mark Teixeira, Austin Kearns, Corey Patterson, Mark Prior, Shelley Duncan, Felipe Lopez, Khalil Greene, Guillermo Quiroz and JD Closser, at one showcase was pretty cool.  There were lots of legit guys and big time players.  

Baseball Factory: Did this showcase help you?
CC Sabathia: The Team One showcase definitely helped me.  The competition level was outstanding.  Every guy was throwing over 90mph and it was good to see how other guys work and play the game.  It really motivated me.  I wasn’t as highly touted going into the showcase and it helped put me on the map and in the right direction to be a first rounder.  Without Team One I don’t think I would have gone as high in the draft.

Baseball Factory: What advice would you give to other kids thinking about attending a Team One event?
CC Sabathia: It’s a great way to see where you’re at and what talent you really have.  You go up against the best players in the country at Team One so you can see your skills up against the best players in the country.  It’s good to see these other kids and how others work hard.  It can be a real motivator seeing this type of talent.  

Baseball Factory: A lot of player development goes on now with players at the parent company, Baseball Factory.  How important is player development in your eyes?
CC Sabathia: To just play games you lose a lot of athleticism.  You need to train and work hard.  You have got to keep improving and challenge yourself.  I also think you become a better athlete when you play multiple sports.  I played three sports growing up and went straight from basketball season into baseball.  I had less anxiety going into baseball season because I played hoops.