CC Sabathia is a star in the Major League Baseball world. Now he may have gotten his Cy Young Award as a member of the then-Cleveland Indians, he would be forever remembered in his baggy pinstriped uniform. Isn’t it? With his navy hat perched high, he was the heart of the Bronx team and the fans. And here comes a pivotal point of his life as he awaits Tuesday’s Baseball Hall of Fame announcement – whether CC Sabathia has earned first-ballot enshrinement or not.

Now the voters might contemplate Sabathia’s resume, a rather colorful one with 3,093 strikeouts, 251 wins, and six All-Star appearances. Not to mention his key role in the New York Yankees’ 2009 World Series win—their last win. They probably noted his 2007 Cy Young award and his 2008 stint with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he pitched on three days’ rest to save their playoff hopes. However, Sabathia’s influence goes beyond the stats. One quality that cannot be quantified is his loyalty. One instance where this trait was on full display was at his final start in 2018.

CC Sabathia: a captain without the title

It was September 27, 2018, and the New York Yankees were set to face the Tampa Bay Rays. The game was already on their court; they were leading 7-0. But tension arose when the Rays reliever Andrew Kittredge missed catcher Austin Romine’s head narrowly. It was a 93 mph fastball! This was a threat for CC Sabathia. And in that split second, he stunned everyone. Despite being just two innings shy of getting a $500,000 contract bonus, he stormed on the mound and hit Rays catcher Jesus Sucre.

As the umpire ejected Sabathia, he turned to the Tampa Bay Rays dugout, pointed directly at Kittredge, and said, “That’s for you, b*tch” – an iconic statement that people still cannot forget. Then, some viewed it as a reckless move. But for Sabathia’s teammate, it was what they knew him for—a loyal mate. Later, Romaine, reflecting on this moment, said, “No one is throwing at your guys, especially at the head. I think that really set something off in him. I’m never going to say it was about me. It was about his team. It was about his catcher and about his team being thrown at, and he’s been the guy to protect his team throughout his career.”

Aaron Boone, the manager, too, apparently tried talking CC Sabathia out of this. And well, too much money was on the line. But money didn’t drive things for CC; he did what was right for the team. He displayed the old-school baseball mentality—protect teammates no matter what. Romine recalled his mates referring to Sabathia as a captain without the title. And that shows his real MLB value. As for that bonus, the Yankees did end up paying him anyway!

Former teammates & manager make a case for the Yankee icon

As CC Sabathia awaits the news of his Hall of Fame fate, his former teammates and coaches are busy too. On what? Well, making a case for him! For instance, Zack Britton, his former teammate, recently spoke to MLB Network Radio. And there he credited Sabathia’s leadership skills. He mentioned that CC Sabathia’s role was crucial for the New York Yankees’ success. “He set the tone for everyone in that clubhouse,” Zack Britton mentioned. Is that all?

Apparently, no! Britton praised Sabathia as one of the premier starters in the league. Truly, even after years, they still have that same love and respect for CC. And not just him, but former Yankee manager Joe Girardi, too, echoed the same sentiments.

He mentioned how CC’s reliability influenced the strategy. ​​“Sabathia to me is definitely a Hall of Famer. 19 seasons, over 3,500 innings, 251 wins, over 3,000 strikeouts—are there 19 pitchers that have over 3,000 strikeouts? Here’s what I love about CC Sabathia: CC Sabathia changed the way I managed the game the day before and the day after because I didn’t plan on using my bullpen much the day CC pitched; I didn’t plan on using the left-handers,” said Joe Girardi.

Well, sure, Sabathia did deliver consistently. His ALCS MVP performance still is a reminder of his brilliance on the mound. And so, while the Baseball Writers Association of America weighs Sabathia’s impressive stats, they should know he wasn’t just a great pitcher. He was and is the heart of the New York Yankees.

Do you think CC Sabathia would make it to Cooperstown? Let’s speculate, shall we?