He learned that once the injuries started piling up and he started to get older he was going to have to change his pitching style. He went from a flame-throwing lefty to a finesse pitcher who gets hitters out with off-speed pitches and pinpoint location rather than just blowing a fastball by batters. Sabathia is one of the biggest competitors on the Yankees roster, no question.
His sheer will and determination have him placed as the leader of this young team. He and Brett Gardner are the lone veterans on this team who were there for the teams 2009 World Series championship.