Reminiscing on CC's Hall of Fame career in pinstripes

01/11/2025 02:00 PM

Remembering how the domineering lefty combined grit and determination to not only succeed, but reinvent success, in his time in the Bronx.

The offseason has slowed to a crawl after a hectic start to it. Despite the early flurry of activity, the Yankees still need another infielder. The field of candidates for second and third shrinks by the day, with most of the remaining options being expensive, bad, or both. In times like these, nostalgia can serve as a protective layer against the cold uncertainty that permeates the future in the Bronx.

This year, Yankee fans can at least look forward to CC Sabathia's likely induction into the Hall of Fame. According to Ryan Thibodaux's ballot tracker, of the 118 known ballots, he has been named on 91.2 percent of them. Thibodaux estimates that about two-thirds of the ballots have still yet to be revealed, and that includes voters who will remain private (this figure is generally more stingy about Hall of Fame votes). But Sabathia appears to be in good shape to make it on the first ballot.

CC's résumé speaks for itself. Fans will always remember the incredible half-season he had with the Brewers in 2008, where he pitched to a 1.65 ERA in 130.2 innings (over and over again on short rest, and good for a 255 ERA+) as Milwaukee made a playoff push. And before that, he was a Rookie of the Year contender and 2007 AL Cy Young award winner in Cleveland. It was his Yankees tenure, however, that truly cemented his Hall of Fame legacy. It's not that he had his peak as a Yankee, but he struck out his 3,000th batter and won his 250th game (not to mention a World Series) as a Yankee after a decade-long tenure in pinstripes.

Despite the awards and accolades, many found inspiration in his comebacks, both personally and professionally. His decision to seek treatment for alcoholism just before the 2015 playoffs showed true fortitude. His decision to add a cut fastball to his repertoire showed a craftiness that separates the good from the great, and it revitalized the end of his career and allowed him to reach the milestones that make him a Hall of Famer. Looking back, it's incredible CC lasted as long as he did. As a power pitcher, it would've hardly surprised anyone had he completely fallen off a cliff after 2012. Instead, he reinvented himself and put in really solid and productive years at the end of his career while continuing to be a clubhouse leader.

A career like CC's is bound to have certain moments that etch themselves into fans' collective consciousness, especially given some of his stellar postseasons. His 2009 postseason run was remarkable—he went 6.2, 8, 8, 7, and 6.2 innings in each start while never giving up more than three earned runs en route to an ALCS MVP and a World Series ring. His best postseason start in pinstripes was Game 5 of the 2012 ALDS, where he pitched a nine-inning gem against Baltimore, striking out nine while only giving up one run to clinch the series.

Still, his 2017 postseason run will always have a place in my heart. Returning to Cleveland, he pitched a gritty 4.1 innings with nine strikeouts and a sensational sliding catch.

Sabathia still left an enduring image with his 2017 ALCS Game 3 performance, showing he still had it while shutting down a prolific Houston offense. In terms of single, particular starts, this was probably my favorite of CC's. That start was a microcosm of his late-career renaissance, which was itself an example of the grit and determination he showed throughout his career. CC's presence on that mound convinced me that the Yankees were absolutely going to win the World Series.

Of course, they did not, and that Game 3 is mirrored by his emotional departure from Game 4 of the 2019 ALCS. Still, in typical CC fashion, even his failures represented success. In his own words, he literally pitched until he couldn't pitch anymore.

Sabathia had his moments outside of the playoffs as well, especially in 2019 as he rounded out his Hall of Fame resume with some milestone reaching. His 250th win was truly incredible as it's not far-fetched to say there may never be a 250-win pitcher who plays for the Yankees again in our lifetimes. It was like witnessing the last Pony Express rider brave the elements on his steed just as the last spike in the Continental Railroad was being driven in, ushering in a new era while we remain wistful for a more noble bygone time.

The same goes for his 3,000th strikeout. Even his famous—or infamous—ejection after beaning Jesús Sucre in his final regular season start in 2018 is a positive example of CC's loyalty to his teammates, as he risked a $500,000 incentive just to defend his teammates. As archaic and stupid as beanball wars are, how many of us can say we'd throw away $500,000 just to gain the respect of our teammates? Respect that was already earned from being a Hall of Fame pitcher with a decade-long tenure on the team?

Jay Jaffe of FanGraphs wrote an article on CC Sabathia's case, as well as his entire career. It's well-written and a fantastic read (as are all of his Hall of Fame articles), befitting of a player of CC's stature. But even though Yankee history is strewn with Hall of Famers, it's clear that we won't see a player quite like Carsten Charles Sabathia in the Bronx for a long, long time. Enjoy Cooperstown, CC.