Mauch's decision to remove Mike Witt in Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS proved costly in more ways than one. (Topps, Inc.)

It was a pitch that had been set in motion four years prior. A pitch meant to put away a hitter that wouldn’t have been in the game if not for an injury. A pitch that was supposed to put the California Angels- and Gene Mauch- into the World Series for the first time. It was a pitch that allegedly caused Donnie Moore to take his own life.

Mauch (1902 wins/2037 losses/ .483 lifetime winning percentage with the Phillies, Expos, Twins and Angels) had been on the cusp of the promised land before. Twice in fact. In late September 1964, Gene Mauch had managed his Phillie club to the best record in the National League with one week left in the season. Philadelphia had finished last, seventh and fourth in Mauch’s three previous seasons, but in ’64 held a 6 1/2 game lead with 12 to play. Philly promptly lost 10 of it’s final 12 games, crashing to earth and losing out to the Cardinals in what is still known as “The Phold”. Eighteen years later Mauch’s Angels were a collection of vagabond talent that he brought to within one win away from facing the Cardinals in the ’82 fall classic but lost in a taut, five-game struggle with the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Do the Angels have room for C.C. Sabathia's XXXL uniform on their books? (Getty Images)

Speculation continues to mount as to whether or not C.C. Sabathia will return to the Bronx next season. Both Harold Reynolds of the MLB Network and ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine have commented during their respective television spots recently that the large left-hander may choose to opt out of his contract and look to pitch elsewhere. Sabathia, whose Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs following last night’s 3-2 loss in the ALDS to Detroit, has given no indication as of yet whether he will exercise his option or not. This does raise the question, however, as to where C.C. would fit best in 2012. Let’s take a look at some of his options:
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