The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot is out. And the debate is heating up about who among the 28 players will get their spot in Cooperstown. After all, everyone has their own rich legacy. This time there are 14 holdovers and 14 newcomers. Now among all, CC Sabathia’s name really does stand out. Why?

Well, Sabathia has left his legacy both onfield and off the field. And now, while the voting results loom high, we cannot wait but to reflect on his career and understand why CC Sabathia’s journey to Cooperstown makes sense. From being Cleveland Guardians’ first-round draft pick to becoming a Yankee icon, Sabathia has been on a road not traveled by many. But before talking about his Legend in the Pinstripes, one must know just how Sabathia’s career began. More importantly, how he was already on his path to stardom even before he stepped foot in the Bronx.

CC Sabathia, a legend even before his Yankees Stint

Most people deem CC Sabathia as a Yankee star, which he is. But his journey to Awesometown didn’t start in the Bronx. It was in Cleveland! And if you really want to pinpoint moments that define his career, then three seasons stand tall – 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2007, at 26 years old, with one mission – lead Cleveland to the playoffs for the first time in six years. His stats were jaw-dropping: 241 innings pitched and a 19-7 record. This domination even got him the Cy Young Award. Now wait…

2008 got wild. Even after a strong year, he was traded from Cleveland during midseason to the Milwaukee Brewers. And what followed was nothing short of historic. Over the 17 starts with the Brewers, he had a 1.65 ERA and posted an 11-2 record. He shouldered the team to the playoffs. He pitched for a complete game on the last day of the season to get into the postseason. So, if there were any awards for the clutch performances, CC’s name should be on it.

Now, when the free agency rolled in next time, CC Sabathia became one of the most sought-after pitchers in Major League Baseball. Back then the Yankees were known to be after the best players in the market. So it didn’t take long for them to write him a check for $161 million and welcome him to their rotation.

How he became a Bronx Icon…

Big expectations were there when CC Sabathia came into the Yankee lineup. Well, he didn’t just meet them; he left them in the dust. In 2009, during his first year with the New York Yankees, he had a 19-8 record and led the league in wins. But then his true test came in October – a make-or-break situation. Something came over Sabathia—he pitched like a man possessed with doing nothing but the best. He posted a 1.98 ERA over the five postseason starts and led the team to their 27th World Series title. And till now, it’s the Yanks’ last title too.

To anyone wondering if Sabathia was worth the money—there, you have the answer! And from 2010 to 2019, Sabathia was a huge part of the rotation. He had a record of 110 ERA+ and 1,503 strikeouts in 1,688 innings pitched. By the time Sabathia retired, he had some more impressive stats—like striking out 3,000 batters. How many players can even say that? It’s a rare feat!

Even beyond the stats, CC Sabathia was a leader in the clubhouse. A mentor to the players and a fan favorite. He is indeed a Bronx icon, not just because of his gameplay but also his larger-than-life personality. Even later, when age began to take its toll, he kept grinding. This speaks of his love for the game, and why he is on the Hall of Fame list today.

CC Sabathia’s impact and Hall of Fame chances 

Here is the big question: Does CC Sabathia really deserve a place in Cooperstown? Well, let the numbers speak here. Sabathia is one of only 15 pitchers in the sport’s history to get both 250 wins and 3,000 strikeouts. Out of the 12 players who hit the milestone before him, all but one have a place in Cooperstown. The only one left out is Roger Clemens, and that is also because of some steroid allegations.

CC Sabathia’s peak years from 2007 to 2012 make a strong case for him. He is only one of the two pitchers since 1987 to throw 3,500 innings. He is a workhorse! And yes, while there are ups, there are downs, too. And CC Sabathia’s latter half decline cannot be avoided. From 2013 to 2019, he had a 4.33 ERA. Well, that might not say Cooperstown. But here is the thing: the voting doesn’t depend only on the numbers.

It’s about the player’s impact, legacy, and memories they leave behind. And CC Sabathia is a name everyone still talks about, with pride in the Bronx. The odds are in Sabathia’s favor too, as writers who value career milestones would most likely pitch for him. And if he is being inducted, he will join his former teammate Derek Jeter in the fame game.

For now, we need to wait till January 21 to see how everything pans out. But we can always keep speculating right? So, why don’t you share your thoughts with us?