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Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia was decidedly candid when broached about his significant weight-loss this offseason, telling Sports on Earth's John Perrotto that it was a prudent decision borne of a desire to remain effective as he ages.
"I'm getting older," the 33-year-old Sabathia said. "I could pitch with the extra weight when I was younger, but I think I'm giving myself a chance to pitch a high level for a longer time by being in better shape."
Sabathia also admitted that the death of a family member stricken by heart disease compelled him to lose weight. However, the veteran southpaw remains optimistic that a leaner physique will translate to a stronger performance this season, as he fashioned a career-worst 4.78 ERA over 32 starts last year.
"I tweeted out a couple of pictures of myself and I just couldn't believe the reaction from some people. I actually had to just laugh," Sabathia said. "I mean, losing weight is a good thing. I didn't do it to make myself worse. I did it to make myself better."
"People used to get on me for being too fat," he said. "Now people are getting on me for being too thin. I guess you're never going to please everybody."