HISTORY BRINGS C.C. AND LEE TOGETHER AGAIN

As the 2009 World Series finally gets underway on Wednesday (seems like our season has been over for months!) the opening game features an extremely compelling matchup.  A pair of former Cleveland Indians teammates will take the ball for their respective clubs.  C.C. Sabathia of the Yankees faces The Phillies and Cliff Lee.  Lee and Sabathia were teammates in Cleveland 2002-2008.  That has to be anguishing for Indians fans. (hey, nobody forced you to be an Indians fan)  Not only are they former teammates, but they are both Cy Young winners, as well.  It will mark just the sixth time ever that two Cy Young winners start a World Series game.  Sabathia, who could possibly win his second Cy this year has been phenomenal in the postseason.  Sabathia was named the MVP of the ALCS.  This postseason, the big fella has gone 3-0, with a 1.19 ERA three starts.  Not to be outdone, Lee is 2-0 with a gaudy 0.74 earned run average.  Indians general manager Mark Shapiro was honest in his assessment.  He engineered the deals that sent Lee to Philly this year and Sabathia to Milwaukee last year, before he struck gold with New York.  "I'm excited for the guys to get this opportunity, but I'm bitter they're not doing it for the Indians."  Reportedly, the two aces have remained friendly and text each other often.

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Can you name any of the five other times that Cy Young winners have squared off in a World Series game?

1. October 14, 1983  Orioles Mike Flanagan vs. Phillies Steve Carlton

2. October 21, 1995  Indians Orel Hershiser vs. Braves Greg Maddux

3. October 26, 1995  (Same as #2)

4. October 22, 1996 Yankees David Cone vs. Braves Tom Glavine

5. October 27, 1999 Yankees Roger Clemens vs. Braves John Smoltz

Don't feel badly if you guessed Bob Gibson of St.Louis vs. Denny McLain of Detroit in 1968.  Neither was awarded the Cy until after the postseason!