CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – CC Sabathia is headed to Cooperstown.
Sabathia was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame Tuesday.
Sabathia appeared on 87% of the ballots cast in his first year of eligibility.
“It means a lot to be just in the Hall of Fame period, but first ballot, I know what that means as a baseball player, and it is very special,” Sabathia said.
“It was a lot of emotions. Just thinking about my journey, thinking about my family, my wife, my dad, my mom, all the different people that played a huge role in me getting to where we are today. It was just a wave of emotions, just thankful, blessed, and super happy.”
Sabathia, who was selected by Cleveland 20th overall in the 1998 MLB Draft, made his MLB debut in 2001 at 20-years-old and becomes the 34th Hall of Famer to spend part of their career in Cleveland and only the third player drafted and signed by the club to earn induction joining Dennis Eckersley (drafted in 1972) and Jim Thome (drafted in 1989).
During his rookie season Sabathia recorded 171 strikeouts, the second-most all-time by a Cleveland rookie, and finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind fellow 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, Ichiro Suzuki.
Sabathia won the American League Cy Young in 2007, making him just the second to do so in franchise history at the time, where he went 19-7 in 34 starts, leading MLB with 241.0 innings pitched.
In Cleveland franchise history, Sabathia ranks 7th in strikeouts (1,265), 13th in wins (106) and 15th in Innings Pitched (1,528.2). For seven seasons, Sabathia recorded 11-plus wins, tying him with Sam McDowell for the most by a Cleveland left-hander.
Sabathia is one of 10 pitchers to be a three-time All-Star with Cleveland and he was a member of the 2001 and 2007 AL Central champion clubs with the then named Indians, now Guardians.
Sabathia was inducted into the Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame last August.
Sabathia was traded to Milwaukee in 2008 where he led the Brewers to the Postseason.
“It was devastating getting traded from Cleveland,” Sabathia said. “I thought I would be there forever. I got drafted by them at 17 years old and become the ace, won a Cy Young there and I feel like this is my organization, I'm going to be here forever.”
Sabathia joined the Yankees in 2009 where he spent 11 seasons and was named ALCS MVP as he helped guide New York to a World Series title. In 2010, Sabathia became the 14th member of the Black Aces with a 21-win season.
Sabathia will go into the Hall wearing a Yankees cap.
“It wasn't really a tough decision,” Sabathia said. “And the Yankees is a place that wanted me. I've signed here as a free agent. I've been here now 16 years. I love the other organizations obviously that I played in. I don't think I would be sitting here today if I wasn't drafted by the Cleveland organization. I'm very thankful to Milwaukee for training for me and having that run that I did there. But this is home the Bronx. I found a home in the Bronx and I don't think I'll ever leave this city. So I think it's only fitting.”
Sabathia retired following the 2019 season and currently ranks 18th in Major League Baseball history in strikeouts (3,093) and is tied with Hall of Famers Bob Gibson and Al Spalding for 47th all-time in wins (251).
The induction ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, July 27. in Cooperstown, New York.
