Sarkisian: Yanks lefty inspired my trip to rehab

CC Sabathia had his best start in over two years against the Red Sox on Wednesday night, but that wasn’t even the best part of his day.

Prior to the game, Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian credited Sabathia for inspiring him to enter rehab following his firing as head coach from USC.

“When CC Sabathia had decided to go to treatment before the Major League Baseball playoffs, I thought to myself, ‘Whoa, here’s somebody who is like me, who is in a very high-profile position in sports — ace pitcher of the New York Yankees — and was being relatively commended or almost celebrated for going to do what he did,’” Sarkisian said to reporters in Flowery Branch, Ga.. “.... So I made the decision to go do it. It’s been the best decision of my life.”

After Sabathia befuddled the Red Sox for eight innings of shutout ball — his first time completing eight innings since April 20, 2015 — to bring his ERA to a sparkling 1.11 over his last five starts, the left-hander said he was touched by Sarkisian’s remarks.

“It means a lot,” Sabathia said. “It means a lot that I feel like I made the right decision. Me and Sark have been talking and it’s great to see him doing well.”

It’s a stark contrast to how Sarkisian was back in October 2015. Sarkisian had to be pulled off a stage by then USC athletic director Pat Haden after appearing drunk during a preseason event before being asked to take a leave of absence when he showed up to a practice unfit to coach.

Then the Los Angeles Times revealed his alcohol problems dated to his time as Washington head coach, where, according to the paper, he routinely expensed alcohol during conference meetings and recruiting trips.

But when he saw Sabathia forgo a trip to the playoffs to deal with his own issues, Sarkisian knew he should do the same. It’s resulted in a year and a half journey that has taken Sarkisian from being fired by USC to Alabama’s offensive coordinator and to the sidelines of the NFL with the Falcons.

“That’s not why I made the decision,” Sabathia said. “But I’m happy that people can take a little bit from it.”