Covering the bases

Sabathia has choices

Let the race for the ace begin.

But don't think a truck full of money will be the top factor in where CC Sabathia decides to sign.

After the Brewers were bumped out of the NL playoffs Sunday with a 6-2 loss to Philadelphia, the free-agent-to-be said that happiness, not money, will play a major role. The big left-hander sure had fun in Milwaukee, too.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say this was one of the better times I had in my career," said Sabathia, who went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts with the Brewers. "Coming here, meeting these guys and being on this team, was a good experience."

Sabathia said he hasn't made any decisions on his future. But he certainly added lots of zeros to his potential pay day after Cleveland traded him to Milwaukee for four prospects on July 7.

The reigning AL Cy Young winner pitched seven complete games in the NL and made four consecutive starts on three days' rest, including a complete game in a 3-1 victory over the Cubs that gave Milwaukee the NL wild card.

Selig throws out first ball

Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig got a standing ovation for a strike.

Selig threw out the first pitch Sunday before Game 4 of the NL division series between his old team, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Philadelphia Phillies. Selig brought the Brewers to Milwaukee in 1970, and his family owned the franchise for 34 years before selling to Mark Attanasio four years ago.