CARAVAN STOP AT MR. ANTHONY'S Sabathia feels 'wanted' with Indians

The former Mahoning Valley pitcher said his confidence grew during his rookie season.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- C.C. Sabathia won 17 games as a rookie pitcher for the Cleveland Indians last season.
But maybe the most important part of the 21-year-old's memorable year came toward the end. That's when he felt like he belonged.
"By the time I hit late August and September and into the playoffs, I was very confident," said Sabathia during the Indians' winter press caravan, which made a stop Wednesday at Mr. Anthony's.
"I felt like the guys wanted me on the team."
Now, Sabathia, the former Mahoning Valley Scrapper, will be relied upon as one of the Indians' top pitchers in 2002. Winning 17 games in his first year hasn't changed his focus.
"I don't have any expectations. I just want to stay healthy," said Sabathia, who was joined Wednesday by manager Charlie Manuel, pitcher Ryan Drese, catcher Einar Diaz and second baseman Ricky Gutierrez.
"I do have expectations for our team -- I want to win a World Series -- but I don't try to put pressure on myself," Sabathia said.
Advancement: The Indians' first-round pick in the 1998 draft, Sabathia worked his way up the minor league ladder, beginning the '98 season at Rookie League Burlington.
Sabathia landed with the Scrappers in June of 1999 to rehabilitate a bone bruise in his pitching elbow. In six starts (19 2/3 innings), he allowed just four earned runs before moving to Class A full seasons Columbus and Kinston.
He opened the 2000 season at Kinston, making 10 starts, before a promotion to Double-A Akron, where he made 17 more starts.
Sabathia made his major league debut on April 8, 2001, against the Baltimore Orioles. He got a no-decision in the Tribe's 4-3 win.
"He got a shot, a full year, and that helped a lot," said Drese, another former Scrapper who will battle for the fifth spot in the Tribe's starting rotation.
Good season: Sabathia couldn't have asked for a better rookie season. In addition to the 17-5 record he posted in the regular season, the 6-foot-7, 265-pound lefty won Game 3 of the American League Division Series against Seattle. He held the Mariners to two runs in six innings.
"I got the chance to keep our team alive in the playoffs," said Sabathia of the Indians, who lost the series in the deciding fifth game.
The playoff victory was a fitting end for Sabathia, who had won the fourth spot in the rotation during spring training and went on to show his durability and focus. He evened learned a few things along the way.
"It's a long season, man," Sabathia said. "It's a lot different than the minor leagues -- bigger cities, bigger crowds -- but it was a lot of fun."
Support: Sabathia had a lot of support during his rookie season, including that from Manuel, designated hitter Ellis Burks and pitcher Dave Burba, now with the Texas Rangers.
"Charlie talked to me a lot, to make sure I was doing all right. You could tell he really cared about me," Sabathia said. "Ellis is a really good friend, and I still talk to Dave Burba once a week."
With the departures of Juan Gonzalez, Robbie Alomar and Kenny Lofton, the Indians have begun a rebuilding mode. While the offense may not pack the same punch as previous years, the pitching should prove to be one of the team's strengths.
"We're going to rely on pitching a little more," Sabathia said. "We've got Danys Baez, Ryan Drese, myself and Bartolo [Colon]. We've got a good, solid rotation.
"Our offense is still going to be good."
Heading into the new season, Sabathia wants to master his current pitches -- fastball, curveball and change-up -- and prevent runners from stealing base on him, something he's worked on since his days at Mahoning Valley.
"He had a big year for a rookie. He developed as the season went on," Manuel said. "He's a very talented pitcher, and he has a chance to be special in the major leagues for a long time."
richesson@vindy.com