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Till the End
"The memoir of the life of one of the most beloved baseball players of his generation, a raw, compelling story of baseball, family, fame, addiction, loss, and a champion's resilience"--
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2021
73 people are currently reading
1745 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
July 12, 2021
CC Sabathia (no initials in his first name!) makes no excuses for his alcohol issue in this honest look at the potential Hall-of-Famer's career. Unlike other autobiographies, Sabathia doesn't point the finger at anyone else and acknowledges that he didn't think he had a drinking problem because he could stop whenever he needed to.
But the drinking got worse, endangering the relationship with his wife and family and with his performance on the field and he realized he needed help. I realize this was written with a co-writer, but his tales of his time at rehab were heartfelt and heartbreaking.
Sabathia was probably the best pitcher in both leagues at one time. Rather than crow on that, though, he focuses on helping others and shows, without preaching, how alcohol can harm families and goals.
Sabathia takes the reader on his voyage through seasons, writing about games fans will remember. I found it was easy to follow. Unlike Dave Parker's book "Cobra," which I had to go back constantly to see who he was talking about due to numerous nicknames and to see what year he was referring to, Till the End leads the reader easily.
I wasn't aware of his problems off the field. This is an enlightening book on a player who, during the 2010s could be considered one of the best.
But the drinking got worse, endangering the relationship with his wife and family and with his performance on the field and he realized he needed help. I realize this was written with a co-writer, but his tales of his time at rehab were heartfelt and heartbreaking.
Sabathia was probably the best pitcher in both leagues at one time. Rather than crow on that, though, he focuses on helping others and shows, without preaching, how alcohol can harm families and goals.
Sabathia takes the reader on his voyage through seasons, writing about games fans will remember. I found it was easy to follow. Unlike Dave Parker's book "Cobra," which I had to go back constantly to see who he was talking about due to numerous nicknames and to see what year he was referring to, Till the End leads the reader easily.
I wasn't aware of his problems off the field. This is an enlightening book on a player who, during the 2010s could be considered one of the best.
July 31, 2021
Sabathia does the near-impossible with this book: an autobiography where the main character comes across as not likable and not even an object of sympathy.
Admittedly, I'm not a Yankees fan. But that bias aside, Sabathia doesn't sound like anyone I'd want to meet or hang out with. Sure, many star athletes have oversized egos, but reading between the lines of the stories he relates it sounds to me like he was pretty much a jerk even at a young age. Throw all that alcohol into the mix and he must have been a mean drunk much of the time.
The pre-publication hype about this book seemed to portray it as his escape from the grip of alcoholism. That really only took a chapter or two to cover. Most of the rest was "I got drunk here; I got drunk there...but I still could pitch when it was time to pitch."
When I read a book about a sports star I want it to be inspiring. This book wasn't.
Admittedly, I'm not a Yankees fan. But that bias aside, Sabathia doesn't sound like anyone I'd want to meet or hang out with. Sure, many star athletes have oversized egos, but reading between the lines of the stories he relates it sounds to me like he was pretty much a jerk even at a young age. Throw all that alcohol into the mix and he must have been a mean drunk much of the time.
The pre-publication hype about this book seemed to portray it as his escape from the grip of alcoholism. That really only took a chapter or two to cover. Most of the rest was "I got drunk here; I got drunk there...but I still could pitch when it was time to pitch."
When I read a book about a sports star I want it to be inspiring. This book wasn't.
August 19, 2021
Surprisingly, my favorite part of this book was not about CC Sabathia’s outstanding baseball career, but it was about his childhood and his ability to succeed in a rough neighborhood. Sabathia also conquered his alcoholism of many years, including the later years of his pitching career. Sabathia’s memoir could have used some additional editing or insight from his co-writer. Like my reviews on Goodreads, the text became humdrum.
July 4, 2022
Great story about all of the things CC overcame in his career. He remains one of my favorite players to ever wear the Pinstripes
July 23, 2021
Whenever anyone has the courage to tell their story which includes addiction or any other of life’s greatest challenges, I applaud them. But, this book also speaks to the power of love and the love of baseball. If you’re a fan you will enjoy CC’s story.
December 13, 2021
As one of the better pitchers in baseball for more than a decade, CC Sabathia was a very public figure, but for a long time he was dealing with a very private battle with alcoholism. That struggle, along with his rise from humble beginnings in northern California and his success in Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees is told in his memoir co-written with Chris Smith. It deals mainly with his baseball career at various levels and ends when his baseball career ends with the Yankees when they were eliminated in the 2019 postseason.
From the beginning, Sabathia shares his pain and dealing with the disease of alcoholism and aside from when he talks about his childhood, it remains a topic throughout the book. He describes himself as one who doesn't hide when he is upset or wants everyone to know what he is feeling and when he decided to seek treatment, that was the same way he announced it. He didn't go quietly to his manager and sneak to the rehab facility – he told the world about his disease and what it did to him. Like many other public figures who make this type of announcement, he did so with the hope that it might help others in a similar situation..
He tells very good baseball stories from his time playing high school ball as well as his stint in the minor leagues and then with the Indians. It was in Cleveland where he became an All-Star and helped the Indians make the postseason. He was comfortable in Cleveland but also knew the business of the game well enough that his trade in 2008 to the Milwaukee Brewers wasn't a surprise – he enjoyed the challenge of leading them to the postseason. That lead to a big contract he signed as a free agent with the Yankees, with whom he won his only World Series championship in 2009. He talks of mostly good memories with teammates and managers for all three clubs.
Sabathia also approaches the topics of racism, mainly through his experiences but also because of the shrinking number of Black players in the game. Most notably, he talks about his time in Milwaukee mainly through being in a larger group of fellow Blacks than with the other clubs. While nothing he states is incorrect, his stories may come across to some as complaining. It should also be noted that he repeatedly states that he got along fine with his white and Latino teammates as well, but was just more comfortable around fellow Blacks.
There is a lot of swearing in Sabathia's account so this book is best read only by adults, but they do add a layer of authenticity to the emotions he has when sharing these tales. Overall, it is a good book and the reader will get to know the true CC Sabathia, just in a slightly over-the-top way at times. It is certainly one to read if one wants to learn more about him.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
From the beginning, Sabathia shares his pain and dealing with the disease of alcoholism and aside from when he talks about his childhood, it remains a topic throughout the book. He describes himself as one who doesn't hide when he is upset or wants everyone to know what he is feeling and when he decided to seek treatment, that was the same way he announced it. He didn't go quietly to his manager and sneak to the rehab facility – he told the world about his disease and what it did to him. Like many other public figures who make this type of announcement, he did so with the hope that it might help others in a similar situation..
He tells very good baseball stories from his time playing high school ball as well as his stint in the minor leagues and then with the Indians. It was in Cleveland where he became an All-Star and helped the Indians make the postseason. He was comfortable in Cleveland but also knew the business of the game well enough that his trade in 2008 to the Milwaukee Brewers wasn't a surprise – he enjoyed the challenge of leading them to the postseason. That lead to a big contract he signed as a free agent with the Yankees, with whom he won his only World Series championship in 2009. He talks of mostly good memories with teammates and managers for all three clubs.
Sabathia also approaches the topics of racism, mainly through his experiences but also because of the shrinking number of Black players in the game. Most notably, he talks about his time in Milwaukee mainly through being in a larger group of fellow Blacks than with the other clubs. While nothing he states is incorrect, his stories may come across to some as complaining. It should also be noted that he repeatedly states that he got along fine with his white and Latino teammates as well, but was just more comfortable around fellow Blacks.
There is a lot of swearing in Sabathia's account so this book is best read only by adults, but they do add a layer of authenticity to the emotions he has when sharing these tales. Overall, it is a good book and the reader will get to know the true CC Sabathia, just in a slightly over-the-top way at times. It is certainly one to read if one wants to learn more about him.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
February 7, 2022
The voice of the ballplayer really drives this narrative. It’s conversational as if he had a ghost writer transcribe his conversations. This is especially noteworthy in his use of baseball player vernacular. CC will emphasize certain points with the expletives common in the dugout. It would certainly come across as profane if this were a book about genealogy or keeping pests off your tomatoes plants. In the context of professional sports, the language sets the tone for the authenticity to come.
Hanging over the book is his lifelong struggle with alcohol and his late career decision to tackle it. But all through the book you understand why he took to drink. His upbringing in a crime ridden area meant danger and friends that led short lives. When he escaped those circumstances and became rich and famous, he had a new set of problems. Everyone wanted money. Who were his real friends? In baseball he felt like an outsider being at times the only black player on the 25 man roster. Michael Jordan may have wanted to be a baseball player, but the kids that use to play baseball wanted to be Michael Jordan. CC might have chosen basketball too had the Cleveland Indians not offered him $1 million and a chance to take care of his family. College was a gamble. The tribe was a real chance.
There are some great passages describing when he reported to his first minor league camp, and he didn’t know what a four-seam fastball was. Cleveland didn’t know what a raw talent they were getting and thus the other teams did not know how much better he was likely to get. He grew to be an All-Star with Cleveland and was close to the World Series a few times, but as his free agency year approached, they traded him to the Brewers down the stretch. His plan was to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Dodgers had no interest in making an offer. The Yankees though courted him with respect and Yankee players reached out. He finally got to the World Series.
Like many I was shocked that CC left the Yankees during a season to get help with his drinking. How in the world did he play so well if he was fighting his struggle and why would he leave his team? The answer seems to lie in his ability to be comfortable on the field and no where else. When he wasn’t pitching or preparing to pitch, he got blasted. Had he been an everyday player it’s hard to imagine how he might have balanced everything. As a pitcher starting once every 5 days, he had a routine of when to drink and when to abstain. It wasn’t until he was unable to sustain that he had to admit his problem.
And there is another thing that caused CC turmoil. The social upheaval of the 2010s and the rise of social media put pressure on professional athletes to take stands about political issues they could once ignore. When a police shooting made national news, CC saw it as a systemic problem where as his teammates wanted to know why the guy disobeyed law enforcement. He was conflicted between where he came from and his position as a leader on his baseball team.
When I finished the book there was a certain fatalism to it all. CC has overcome much and yet things don’t seem quite settled with him. I hope that in ten years he can write another book about his post baseball career and look back on it with the reflection that only comes with time. I know it would be philosophical and worth reading. This book was.
Hanging over the book is his lifelong struggle with alcohol and his late career decision to tackle it. But all through the book you understand why he took to drink. His upbringing in a crime ridden area meant danger and friends that led short lives. When he escaped those circumstances and became rich and famous, he had a new set of problems. Everyone wanted money. Who were his real friends? In baseball he felt like an outsider being at times the only black player on the 25 man roster. Michael Jordan may have wanted to be a baseball player, but the kids that use to play baseball wanted to be Michael Jordan. CC might have chosen basketball too had the Cleveland Indians not offered him $1 million and a chance to take care of his family. College was a gamble. The tribe was a real chance.
There are some great passages describing when he reported to his first minor league camp, and he didn’t know what a four-seam fastball was. Cleveland didn’t know what a raw talent they were getting and thus the other teams did not know how much better he was likely to get. He grew to be an All-Star with Cleveland and was close to the World Series a few times, but as his free agency year approached, they traded him to the Brewers down the stretch. His plan was to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Dodgers had no interest in making an offer. The Yankees though courted him with respect and Yankee players reached out. He finally got to the World Series.
Like many I was shocked that CC left the Yankees during a season to get help with his drinking. How in the world did he play so well if he was fighting his struggle and why would he leave his team? The answer seems to lie in his ability to be comfortable on the field and no where else. When he wasn’t pitching or preparing to pitch, he got blasted. Had he been an everyday player it’s hard to imagine how he might have balanced everything. As a pitcher starting once every 5 days, he had a routine of when to drink and when to abstain. It wasn’t until he was unable to sustain that he had to admit his problem.
And there is another thing that caused CC turmoil. The social upheaval of the 2010s and the rise of social media put pressure on professional athletes to take stands about political issues they could once ignore. When a police shooting made national news, CC saw it as a systemic problem where as his teammates wanted to know why the guy disobeyed law enforcement. He was conflicted between where he came from and his position as a leader on his baseball team.
When I finished the book there was a certain fatalism to it all. CC has overcome much and yet things don’t seem quite settled with him. I hope that in ten years he can write another book about his post baseball career and look back on it with the reflection that only comes with time. I know it would be philosophical and worth reading. This book was.
August 29, 2022
Going into this book I may have heard the name Sabathia, but I really didn't know anything about him. I am wanting to learn more about baseball, and this memoir was offered as an audiobook through my library. Sabathia loves sports and happened to have the best chances of going pro in baseball. His father must have had visions of his career because he once said he would be pitching at an All-Star Game in LA, and also predicted he would play for the Yankees - a team Sabathia did not want to play. It is an honest memoir with him being the hardest on himself. He doesn't through anybody under the bus and if he is negative about someone it is something that had made the press. The major focus is on his alcoholism because he hopes it helps another recognize they need to get help. The major focus is seizing the opportunities that come you way - career and family. He truly loves his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, along with his wife and children. If you are looking for dirt you aren't' going to find it here, but you will find someone that appreciates the talents that God gave him and to live his life to the best of his ability.
January 21, 2022
One thing I love almost as much as reading is baseball. C C Sabatthia grew up 30 minutes from me so he really is one of my favorite players. I appreciated the honesty in which this book was written. The authors hold no punches as the reader follows CC through his tough Vallejo childhood, baseball stardom and years of addiction Very heartfelt and well written.
September 7, 2021
Really enjoyed this audio book. What a great pitcher, player and advocate of the game!
December 28, 2021
Good on him for getting sober. 3-1/2.
January 9, 2022
This book just made me miss and respect C.C. all the more. I knew he was a great pitcher, but I now have a better understanding of his struggles off the field and his capabilities in the clubhouse.
September 23, 2021
A very honest and sometimes depressing, sometimes inspiring book on longtime Indians and Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia. Sabathia grew up in Vallejo, where I work, so it was interesting to read about how he grew up, even though I know the majority of the stories already. Sabathia, with the help of author Chris Smith, does a very good job of being honest, even when sometimes it must have been hard to put down some sentences. I kind of wish there was a little more about some of the teams he was on. For instance there is only about three pages on the 2009 World Series and I feel that and his Cy Young Award season in 2007 are his career highlights. But I feel this book is more about him battling his personal demons as it is getting a strikeout on the baseball field. This book had me not liking a person I have met many times and I knowhe has a big heart that wants to help the community he's from. Everytime I've met him he's been a great person, so I'm glad he's worked things out and overcome his addiction. A inspiring story that everyone from Vallejo should read and baseball fans will enjoy as well.
July 27, 2021
Honest & raw portrayal of what it’s like to be an alcoholic. Very emotional at times. A major plus if you’re a baseball fan ⚾️
July 20, 2021
He's a hometown kid who made it to the big show. Cool tale about growth and it's not over the guys now shredded!
What my 👂 heard ⤵️
I made the mistake of being a little too honest
that was b**** s***
it's like being handed a week consolation prize
we all know the game is a business
they count on me to see things right
a sense of calm settled into my head
feeling a strange mix of vulnerability and Hope
he's an outgoing confident guy
What my 👂 heard ⤵️
I made the mistake of being a little too honest
that was b**** s***
it's like being handed a week consolation prize
we all know the game is a business
they count on me to see things right
a sense of calm settled into my head
feeling a strange mix of vulnerability and Hope
he's an outgoing confident guy
July 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this. It is a candid telling of the life of a kid who made it from the streets to . . . in just a couple more years, the hall of fame. His greatest obstacle, unknown till the near the end of his career, was alcoholism. Here he tells all. It is an inspiration.
December 10, 2021
I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.
.
I was really disappointed in this book. I am a big baseball fan. I love to read about players and their careers. The pennant race, the grind of the season, what happens in the clubhouse etc. C.C. Sabathia was a good baseball player who pitched for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, and the New York Yankees successfully for many years. As a Major League Baseball player, and a very good one, C.C. made millions and millions of dollars which is great for him. I was looking forward to reading about his career and struggles. Sabathia did cover this stuff including his struggle with alcohol. I congratulate him on his successful battle against alcoholism. However, C.C. covered other things that I don't care about his opinion on. Just because you can throw a baseball 97 mph doesn't mean your opinions are correct.
Sabathia covers racism, social justice, religion, and other topics which his views are no more important than your neighbor. Yet he seems to think they are. He laces his comments and opinion, and really his story throughout the book, with profanity.
C.C. Sabathia is a racist. He makes statements throughout the book that if they were made by a white man substituting "black" for "white" would no doubt be viewed as racist. I doubt they would even be published. Yet he makes them. Here is an example: "I cried when Cleveland traded me-but I loved every minute pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers into the playoffs, and having so many Black teammates." Now if a white player said he enjoyed playing with a team because he had so many white teammates what would the reaction be?
Talk baseball C.C. not social justice as you see it. He claims he avoided talking about politics and race while he played baseball. Seems racism sells so the racist remarks flow in this book.
.
I was really disappointed in this book. I am a big baseball fan. I love to read about players and their careers. The pennant race, the grind of the season, what happens in the clubhouse etc. C.C. Sabathia was a good baseball player who pitched for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, and the New York Yankees successfully for many years. As a Major League Baseball player, and a very good one, C.C. made millions and millions of dollars which is great for him. I was looking forward to reading about his career and struggles. Sabathia did cover this stuff including his struggle with alcohol. I congratulate him on his successful battle against alcoholism. However, C.C. covered other things that I don't care about his opinion on. Just because you can throw a baseball 97 mph doesn't mean your opinions are correct.
Sabathia covers racism, social justice, religion, and other topics which his views are no more important than your neighbor. Yet he seems to think they are. He laces his comments and opinion, and really his story throughout the book, with profanity.
C.C. Sabathia is a racist. He makes statements throughout the book that if they were made by a white man substituting "black" for "white" would no doubt be viewed as racist. I doubt they would even be published. Yet he makes them. Here is an example: "I cried when Cleveland traded me-but I loved every minute pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers into the playoffs, and having so many Black teammates." Now if a white player said he enjoyed playing with a team because he had so many white teammates what would the reaction be?
Talk baseball C.C. not social justice as you see it. He claims he avoided talking about politics and race while he played baseball. Seems racism sells so the racist remarks flow in this book.
January 15, 2022
Typically, a sports bio leaves me feeling more positive about the subject - remarkable talent, more likable or relatable, some values to emulate… not this one. The author had a career approaching great - 19 year career, 60% winning percentage and 3.74 ERA over 19 years. He won the genetic lottery - 6’6” and huge with a powerful and resilient left arm. But his training regimen was beer and burgers, and since he never worked out his weight often was over 300 causing chronic knee problems. He was an alcoholic throughout his career, literally always wasted for days between starts. He was an angry drunk - fights, car wrecks, broken relationships, etc. He made over $260M in his career, most from the Yankees who severely overpaid him - nobody else wanted him at a comparable price. He celebrates his hardscrabble childhood - an amazing community, love and support, blah blah blah - but then blames it for his dysfunctional life, taking little to no personal accountability for anything but does credit himself with finally entering rehab. Rare candor, for sure, but nets to a life of off the charts talent meeting little to no maturity and self awareness yielding a very mixed set of outcomes and lingering questions of what might have been.
August 14, 2021
I listened to the audio version of this book. Pretty honest autobiography from one of the best pitchers in MLB this century. CC Sabathia freely talks about his battle with alcoholism and things that happen in his life. He talks about both the good and the bad, and he owns up to his mistakes.
I found the baseball part of the book equally as interesting as his battle versus his personal demons. He played for both small market (Cleveland and Milwaukee) and large market (New York Yankees) teams. He does a good job talking about how he grows as a pitcher over the years going from surviving on raw talent to becoming an aging star who used his experience to get by.
Only negatives was at times he got a little preachy, but it was only a few times. Also he likes to swear a lot which doesn’t bother me, but keep in mind for younger readers/listeners.
Overall a good baseball autobiography that seemed to be pretty honest about The life of CC Sabathia.
I found the baseball part of the book equally as interesting as his battle versus his personal demons. He played for both small market (Cleveland and Milwaukee) and large market (New York Yankees) teams. He does a good job talking about how he grows as a pitcher over the years going from surviving on raw talent to becoming an aging star who used his experience to get by.
Only negatives was at times he got a little preachy, but it was only a few times. Also he likes to swear a lot which doesn’t bother me, but keep in mind for younger readers/listeners.
Overall a good baseball autobiography that seemed to be pretty honest about The life of CC Sabathia.
January 3, 2024
I remember when the Yankees signed this man. All that hype and the first few starts seemed like a bust but then he showed me how he was worth the contract and I really liked him.
July 24, 2024
CC Sabathia’s autobiography chronicles his formative years, his development as a pitcher and his career. He also writes about family members and his friendships with players and teammates. Overall, it is a well rounded and interesting portrait of Sabathia and his career.
He writes about the different years of his career and some of the more memorable games of his career. Additionally, he discusses his injuries and his attempts to overcome those injuries. It was interesting to read about his friendships with players like Andy Pettitte.Derek Jeter and other players. Sabathia played for the Cleveland Indians Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Yankees. He liked playing for all three teams and he established friendships with players on all three teams.
He also discussed how he evolved as a pitcher and how he learned from pitching coaches during his career. Additionally, Alex Rodriguez and Eddie Murray, two outstanding hitters, helped Sabathia learn more about how to get hitters out. He leaned from other hitters as well. Sabathia said that he had to adjust or add different pitches to his repertoire in Cleveland, Milwaukee and New York. It seems that he became a more complete pitcher over time and through different influences.
Sabathia grew up in California and always wanted to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. During his free agency after he finished the season with the Milwaukee Brewers, he told the Dodgers that he wanted to play for them. However, they did not show much interest in signing him, and the Yankees really wanted to sign him. At the time, the Yankees’ clubhouse lacked cohesion, and the Yankee front office felt that Sabathia could help to unify the clubhouse. The Yankees valued Sabathia as a pitcher and as a person who could have a positive impact on the clubhouse.
It as also interesting to see all of the charity work that Sabathia and his wife have done in New York City. He had a charitable foundation that helped young people. For instance, his foundation gave many backpacks to young people in New York City. Not only did Sabathia pitch well for the Yankees, but he also made a positive difference in the community through charitable giving.
Sabathia also mentions that he does not mind players flipping their bats after they hit home runs or a pitcher celebrating a strikeout. He does not consider that to be showing up a player. Rather, he considers that to be celebrating the moment, which he considers fine. I appreciate that point and agree that players are simply getting caught up in the moment and do not intend to be disrespectful.
I liked reading this book and I appreciate the career that Sabathia had. I respect how he helped the teams he was on develop greater camaraderie and team chemistry. He seems to appreciate the baseball career that he had.
He writes about the different years of his career and some of the more memorable games of his career. Additionally, he discusses his injuries and his attempts to overcome those injuries. It was interesting to read about his friendships with players like Andy Pettitte.Derek Jeter and other players. Sabathia played for the Cleveland Indians Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Yankees. He liked playing for all three teams and he established friendships with players on all three teams.
He also discussed how he evolved as a pitcher and how he learned from pitching coaches during his career. Additionally, Alex Rodriguez and Eddie Murray, two outstanding hitters, helped Sabathia learn more about how to get hitters out. He leaned from other hitters as well. Sabathia said that he had to adjust or add different pitches to his repertoire in Cleveland, Milwaukee and New York. It seems that he became a more complete pitcher over time and through different influences.
Sabathia grew up in California and always wanted to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. During his free agency after he finished the season with the Milwaukee Brewers, he told the Dodgers that he wanted to play for them. However, they did not show much interest in signing him, and the Yankees really wanted to sign him. At the time, the Yankees’ clubhouse lacked cohesion, and the Yankee front office felt that Sabathia could help to unify the clubhouse. The Yankees valued Sabathia as a pitcher and as a person who could have a positive impact on the clubhouse.
It as also interesting to see all of the charity work that Sabathia and his wife have done in New York City. He had a charitable foundation that helped young people. For instance, his foundation gave many backpacks to young people in New York City. Not only did Sabathia pitch well for the Yankees, but he also made a positive difference in the community through charitable giving.
Sabathia also mentions that he does not mind players flipping their bats after they hit home runs or a pitcher celebrating a strikeout. He does not consider that to be showing up a player. Rather, he considers that to be celebrating the moment, which he considers fine. I appreciate that point and agree that players are simply getting caught up in the moment and do not intend to be disrespectful.
I liked reading this book and I appreciate the career that Sabathia had. I respect how he helped the teams he was on develop greater camaraderie and team chemistry. He seems to appreciate the baseball career that he had.
January 24, 2022
This book grows on you. I used to devour sports books when I was a kid, but I've read few such stories about a player or team since then. Maybe that explains why the first-person style and cadence was a bit jarring at first. "Till the End" tells the true story of 6-foot 6-inch pitcher CC Sabathia, from the time he was growing up in rough hewn Vallejo, California through the course of his baseball career, first in the minors and then in the Major Leagues with the Indians, Brewers, and Yankees, ending in 2019. It is a story of a volatile personality, a black sports star having to deal with racism as well as new-found celebrity and, most of all, overcoming alcoholism.
It was unclear at first whether the book was aimed at adolescents or adults. Part of this was the street language used, including extensive use of the F-word, which at times struck me as gratuitous. Was this an attempt to appeal to teens accustomed to it, or was it authentic? Initially, I'd recommended "Till the End" to a black craftsman who had finished some work in my home and who told me his nine year-old son was a avid reader. But after thinking better of it, I later called to retract the recommendation because of the book's language. It also occurred to me that the themes--alcoholism and even the racism depicted in the book--might also be better suited for a readers at least 14 or 15.
"Till the End" adroitly interweaves Sabathia's time on and off the baseball field with his teammates and his family life, especially his fraught relationship with his loving and dedicated wife. The former tells how strong bonds of brotherhood develop among players; the latter, how a devoted spouse can steady a teetering life as well as salvage a marriage. Ghostwriter Chris Smith does a skillful job of telling CC's story in a way that holds readers' attention while probing the broader societal themes.
It was unclear at first whether the book was aimed at adolescents or adults. Part of this was the street language used, including extensive use of the F-word, which at times struck me as gratuitous. Was this an attempt to appeal to teens accustomed to it, or was it authentic? Initially, I'd recommended "Till the End" to a black craftsman who had finished some work in my home and who told me his nine year-old son was a avid reader. But after thinking better of it, I later called to retract the recommendation because of the book's language. It also occurred to me that the themes--alcoholism and even the racism depicted in the book--might also be better suited for a readers at least 14 or 15.
"Till the End" adroitly interweaves Sabathia's time on and off the baseball field with his teammates and his family life, especially his fraught relationship with his loving and dedicated wife. The former tells how strong bonds of brotherhood develop among players; the latter, how a devoted spouse can steady a teetering life as well as salvage a marriage. Ghostwriter Chris Smith does a skillful job of telling CC's story in a way that holds readers' attention while probing the broader societal themes.
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May 15, 2022Of the few sports books I've read, this one was one of the best. Because I love baseball, CC Sabathia's story engaged me from the start. CC was a gritty kid--born and raised in Vallejo, California. A star by the time he was a pre-teen and a professional baseball player when he was still a teenager.
"Growing up baseball" would be another good title for this memoir. Carston Charles (CC) Sabathia, Jr. played nineteen seasons as a pitcher in major league baseball. His life was far from all fun and games. Family, fame, addiction, and recovery were only part of his epic story. His own firey competitiveness and his "never say die" spirit made him the star. His commitment to team and the eventual degradation of his own body combined to propel him along the difficult path of recovery.
His is truly a story of resilience, mortality, and finally, the discovery of what really matters in life.
I recommend this memoir to anyone who loves the game of baseball.
"Growing up baseball" would be another good title for this memoir. Carston Charles (CC) Sabathia, Jr. played nineteen seasons as a pitcher in major league baseball. His life was far from all fun and games. Family, fame, addiction, and recovery were only part of his epic story. His own firey competitiveness and his "never say die" spirit made him the star. His commitment to team and the eventual degradation of his own body combined to propel him along the difficult path of recovery.
His is truly a story of resilience, mortality, and finally, the discovery of what really matters in life.
I recommend this memoir to anyone who loves the game of baseball.
September 25, 2021
The short publisher's blurb, "The memoir of the life of one of the most beloved baseball players of his generation, a raw, compelling story of baseball, family, fame, addiction, loss, and a champion’s resilience," says it all I think. Not being a Yankee's fan (MLB for that matter), I had zero idea who Sabathia was/is. His story illustrates, I think, the precarious nature of sport fame, and surely ought give us all pause as we watch these athletes tear through the culture. I think the author ought thank his lucky stars that he has a strong wife to support him in all his poor decision-making. There were times I wondered why I should put myself through taking in his story. In the end it was worth it.
August 19, 2021
I'm a die-hard Yankees fan. In fact, the first year that I began following the team was in 2009, which was the same year that the team won their last World Series title. Incidentally, that was also the year that the franchise signed C.C. Sabathia to be their ace starting pitcher. While his book is certainly one that baseball fans will enjoy, you don't have to be a sports lover to appreciate C.C.'s story. There are many topics within these 300 pages that have nothing to do with baseball. One major example is alcohol abuse, something C.C. has dealt with since his early teenage years. At its core, this book is about a man who dealt with his personal demons well after getting himself out of the projects and becoming acquainted with superstardom. It's a story about the trials and tribulations of life, the consequences of actions, and most importantly, how it's never too take control of your life.
September 3, 2021
I was going to give this book a three but decided to bump it up. Sabathia is so personable and he's a great story-teller. I saw an episode of his podcast and he seemed funny and intelligent that I figured this memoir may be easy to read. While the narrative was slightly all over the place, he painted a clear picture of his upbringing and his addiction and how baseball and family saved him.
Since his MLB career lasted almost 20 years, it was cool to hear stories about players from a different generation, stories about players who I watch currently, and how the game is evolving.
Since his MLB career lasted almost 20 years, it was cool to hear stories about players from a different generation, stories about players who I watch currently, and how the game is evolving.
December 29, 2021
While the beginning wasn't written very well - meaning just sort of a list of things that went on, the rest was really good. He seemed to really have a good grasp of his shortcomings, skills, and leadership abilities. He really made you root for him to win not only the games he described but win his life back after years of drinking and not being his best for his wife and kids. His wife amazed me as she put up with what she could until he knew there was actually a breaking point and if he didn't want to lose it all - he had to take charge of his disease. Relly enjoyed the book.
October 7, 2022
What I really appreciated about this book was CC's honesty. He admits to engaging in behaviors that I do not support or appreciate (drinking and driving, how he treated his wife). That being said, I did like how he was up front about what he did. About how he was an angry drunk. One might say that he made excuses about the way he was, having seen so much death and loss as a younger person. I do not see it that way. It gives me insight into the mind of a person whose life is very different from mine.
January 4, 2023
I love reading about Yankee lore so when I got gifted this autobiography from my brother in law for Christmas I was excited to give it a crack. Good things: super easy to read, some great anecdotes regarding big time Yankee moments, and a great voice behind the page. Negative things: the story itself is not all that intriguing. Yes he’s a great pitcher and yes he was an alcoholic but it didn’t grab me and make me feel all that much. I’m happy CC one of my favorite Yankee pitchers is 6 years sober though I can also say I was happy this book was as easy as it was to get through.
January 10, 2022
This was a powerful read. I am not a baseball fan whatsoever but this was very much a story about a human struggling with alcohol, struggling with being black in America, struggling with loss; who happens to be one of the most high profile athletes of all time.
It’s a great reminder that no matter how rich and famous one gets, death can touch you, vices can take you, and the issues of race are inescapable.
It’s a great reminder that no matter how rich and famous one gets, death can touch you, vices can take you, and the issues of race are inescapable.
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