Get out your pens to mark your calendars, because there’s now an event at Yankee Stadium during this coming season that you won’t want to miss. Just a short while ago, the Yankees announced that this coming September 26th, they’ll be holding a ceremony to formally retire CC Sabathia’s No. 52 and give him a plaque in Monument Park.
Sabathia pitched for the Yankees from 2009-19, helping them to the 2009 World Series title and a number of other playoff appearances. He was a three-time All-Star in pinstripes and he finished top five in Cy Young voting three times while a member of the team. Last summer, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot, and will forever don a Yankee logo on his plaque in Cooperstowjn.
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During his 11 seasons with the Yankees, Sabathia was a stellar pitcher for the team, evidenced by what I’ve already cited and also ranking in the top ten in the franchise lists for wins, strikeouts, and more. However, he also became a revered clubhouse leader. When he first got there, he joined in a veteran heavy era, where the clubhouse was led by the likes of then captain Derek Jeter. While never officially named one, by all accounts he served somewhat of that role as the Yankees transitioned to an era led by now captain Aaron Judge. He also always had his teammates’ backs.
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If the Yankees had historically been more selective in the numbers they’d retired in the past, you could argue that Sabathia would fall short of that cutoff. However, they haven’t, and CC is more than deserving, especially in light of his recent Hall induction. In addition to being an absolute gamer on the mound, literally going until he physically couldn’t, he’s an extremely likeably human. I personally cannot wait to see him get another day in the sun later this year.
Congratulations, CC!
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