MILWAUKEE — On a Sunday afternoon that so many presumed would be the last time to see CC Sabathia in a Milwaukee uniform, the left-hander who carried the Brewers into the playoffs almost singlehandedly said "Wait a minute."

"Who knows, maybe it's not my last appearance," Sabathia told reporters shortly after the Brewers' 6-2 loss to Philadelphia in Game 4 of a National League Division Series that ended their season.

"Coming here, meeting these guys, making new friends, that will all factor in my decision," said Sabathia, who went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts for the Brewers. "This is a great team. I wanted to come in and add to it. Luckily, I was able to do that."

Sabathia was loose and friendly during the clubhouse session, the personification of the friendly and outgoing personality that captured the hearts of those around here as much as his pitching.

But the interview took a momentary turn when he was asked what it would take to sign him, an area he is not ready to discuss.

When Sabathia did a double-take, the questioner quickly added, "Environment-wise."

Sabathia responded quickly. "This," he said emphatically. "This is the ideal environment. A young, talented team, a great clubhouse, guys get along and have fun. I've really enjoyed my time here."

He noted how he bonded quickly with third base coach-turned-manager Dale Sveum, pitching coach Mike Maddux and catcher Jason Kendall. He left the impression the bonds that developed with his new team were just as important as the countless millions he'll be earning next season.

"That was my thing, even in Cleveland," he said. "I want to have fun. I want to be around people I enjoy because you're around them for eight months of the year. That will all factor in."

He also enjoyed the National League game. He talked about how he would get on the field here at 4 p.m. for some early hitting or hit the batting cage when on the road.

"It was a lot of fun to put my cleats on every day and know there was a chance I might get into the game," he said. "I enjoyed the time in the National League, getting the chance to hit, something that I love to do."

So, he was asked, does that mean he won't be considering offers from American League teams? He laughed at the question. "I wouldn't say it eliminates (them) but I definitely enjoy hitting," he said.

But, most importantly, he is not eliminating the Brewers, either.

"I was nervous about coming into a new clubhouse, a new environnment, and not knowing what to really expect," he said. "But this was great."