MILWAUKEE -- CC Sabathia chose a personal -- if rather expensive -- way to say thanks to the fans who cheered him over the past decade.

Sabathia and his wife, Amber, took out a full-page advertisement in Wednesday's Cleveland Plain Dealer to thank Indians fans for their support since he was drafted by Cleveland in 1998. The black-and-white ad cost $12,870, according to a story on the Plain Dealer's Web site.

"The day I got traded, my wife and I started thinking about some of the people we needed to thank," said Sabathia, whose trade from Cleveland to Milwaukee was made official when he passed a physical on July 7. "It seemed like something in the paper was the way to do it, and it started as a little half-page. Then it grew to a whole page.

"It was worth it. I had been there 10 years, and I felt like I should say thanks to some people."

Sabathia said he and his wife chose the wording for the message, which includes specific nods to various organizations and individuals.

"Thank you for 10 great years," the message ends. "You've touched our lives with your kindness, love and generosity. We are forever grateful! It's been a privilege and an honor!"

Brewers outfielder Geoff Jenkins took out a similar full-page ad in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel after his 10-year Brewers career came to an end.