CC Sabathia became the 15th starting pitcher to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot, earning an unprecedented 86.8% of votes. The left-hander’s impressive career statistics and dominance over a nearly two-decade span earned him the recognition.
Sabathia completed his 19-year career in 2019 with 251 regular-season wins and 10 postseason victories. Eight of those wins came as a New York Yankee, including two that kept the team from elimination. His milestone win on June 19, 2019, marked the first time he reached 250 wins, a feat achieved by only eight non-active pitchers in modern era.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Sabathia’s election early on, stating, “I think it’s a lock… This is it for him.” The former Yankee captain Derek Jeter also praised Sabathia’s career, saying he was the ultimate gamer and exemplified what it means to be a Hall of Fame player.
Sabathia’s legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics. He played over 3,500 innings, surpassing the 200-inning mark eight times, and finishing in the top-ten in five straight seasons from 2007 through 2011. His dominant performances earned him a 2007 Cy Young Award with Cleveland and 21 wins for the Yankees in 2010.
The Baseball Hall of Fame’s recognition is a testament to Sabathia’s career and his impact on the game. “It means a lot to be in the Hall of Fame, period,” he said in a statement. His election as a first-ballot Hall of Famer solidifies his legacy as one of baseball’s all-time greats.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryfleisher/2025/01/22/cc-sabathias-time-with-the-new-york-yankees-cemented-his-status-as-a-first-ballot-hall-of-famer