While CC Sabathia began building his Hall of Fame career with the Cleveland Guardians, his legacy is now most closely tied to the New York Yankees.
Last month, when Sabathia was elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, he expressed his desire to be inducted as a Yankee. On Monday, the Hall of Fame confirmed that Sabathia will indeed enter Cooperstown as a Yankee during the July 27 ceremony, a decision influenced in part by the preferences of the inductees themselves.
Sabathia’s early years in Cleveland were marked by significant achievements, including 106 wins over eight and a half seasons and a Cy Young Award in 2007. That same year, he led the Guardians to the ALCS, where they fell to the Red Sox in a heartbreaking seven-game series. By mid-2008, with free agency looming, Cleveland traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he delivered a dominant 11-2 record in 17 starts, helping the Brewers reach the postseason for the first time in 26 years.
His stellar performances in Cleveland and Milwaukee earned him a $161 million contract with the Yankees in 2009. Sabathia quickly became a cornerstone of the franchise, helping the Yankees win a World Series in his first season. He continued to shine, winning 19 games in 2011 and delivering clutch performances, including a complete-game victory in Game 5 of the 2012 ALDS against the Orioles. Over his 11 seasons in New York, Sabathia became a beloved figure, embodying the grit and determination of the Yankees.
“The Yankees wanted me,” Sabathia said after his Hall of Fame election. “I signed here as a free agent. I’ve been here now for 16 years. I’ve loved the organizations I played for, but this is home. I found a home in the Bronx, and I don’t think I’ll ever leave this city.”
Even as his velocity declined in the latter stages of his career, Sabathia adapted, reinventing himself as a crafty left-hander. With guidance from Andy Pettitte, he developed a cut fastball and posted three seasons with an ERA under 4.00 between 2016 and 2018. His ability to adjust allowed him to reach 250 career wins, a milestone that may become increasingly rare in modern baseball.
Sabathia will be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Ichiro Suzuki, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker, and Dick Allen. He will be the only member of the 2025 class not wearing the cap of his original team, a testament to the deep connection he forged with the Yankees and their fans. For Sabathia, the Bronx will always be home.
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