Last week, the Sabathia-sponsored outing came in the form of yet another trip to see the Magic.  (It was a favorite activity during spring training.)

The difference, of course is that they weren’t in Florida anymore. This time, the field trip took place in was Cleveland — the kickoff to CC’s first weekend home since he signed with the Yanks.

The unfortunate result was the reopening of my least favorite Lakehouse conversation of the year — LBJ to the NYK?  And what better time to start asking CC about his willingness to recruit King James to play for the Knicks than in the middle of the Cavs run for the Finals?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, but the failure to acknowledge Cleveland as a real team that LeBron actually plays for — now — it’s offensive.

I love my city, but, last time I checked, New York didn’t make it to game 6 of the playoff Semifinals this year. In fact, I’m pretty sure that the Knicks were not actually in the playoffs this year.  Or last year. Or in any year that happened recently.  Fortunately, when asked if he’d be willing to help the effort to bring King James over from the great Midwest, CC did me proud and responded, “Nah.  I don’t want no part of that.”

Nah.  That’s right, CC.  You sure don’t.

CC did, however, want a big part of the annihilation of the Tribe this past Saturday.  He pitched a no-hitter into the fourth.  There were a few hiccups to follow — CC ultimately gave up three runs — but it was a solid outing all told.  And the win accounts for his fourth in five starts.  CC, it would appear, is getting into his groove.  Right alongside everyone else.

One of the more notable things about CC’s return home was his reception.  To say it was warm would be an overstatement, but he certainly wasn’t met with the kind of bitterness one would expect given the circumstances.  There was the odd boo, but they didn’t exactly kill him with cruelty.  Chalk this up to the fact of their Midwestern-ness – maybe they’re just nicer, more forgiving than we are.  Chalk it up to the fact that CC’s just a little too likable to hate.  (In the world of professional sports, is the decision to sign with the team that grossly overpays you the most really so much of a Cardinal sin?)  Or maybe the fans were just plain old distracted by the reality that, somewhere in Orlando, the Cavs were fighting for championship contention.  Whatever the case, it wasn’t nearly as ugly as one might have anticipated. And CC showed us that he can rise to the occasion, even under the most stressful of circumstances.

The Cavs, unfortunately, did not fare quite as well as CC. And presumably no one was more disappointed by this devastating elimination than Bomber Brett Tomko, who said, “Even though I’m a Lakers fan, I’m a closet Cavs fan in the back of my heart.”

If the Lakers had met the Cavs in the Finals, it would have been interesting to probe into Tomko’s meaning. From where I sit, it’s a phrase that actually cannot be translated into any discernible team loyalty.