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New York Yankees: Will CC Sabathia be a first ballot Hall of Famer?

By Kyle Cardoza

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout at the end of the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 09, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout at the end of the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 09, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

The Beginning of it All

The Indians, attempting to seek out a new ace, drafted Sabathia in the first round of the 1998 draft. Though the left-hander didn’t sport flawless numbers during his seven years in Cleveland, he was a key part of its rotation.

It helped that the Indians’ offense was in the top 10 in the league in runs scored during his tenure there. Sabathia didn’t register a losing record while pitching in Cleveland – 2008 shouldn’t count because he was traded.

During the All-Star’s time with the Indians, fans realized that the veteran pitcher is a workhorse. He garnered more than 180 innings pitched every year he was in Cleveland.

And Sabathia produced his best overall season in 2007 prior to skipping town – though he didn’t know he’d be traded in 2008.

Although the Cy Young winner didn’t boast a top-10 ERA during his penultimate season, he was still efficient. He led the league in innings pitched and also sported a higher strikeout-to-walk ratio than anyone else in the league.

And while Sabathia was never known as a strikeout pitcher, he was one of just seven pitchers to eclipse the 200-strikeout mark that year. Also, only a handful of pitchers allowed fewer walks than him.

But before the starting pitcher could complete another season with the Indians, they dealt him to the Brewers. It may have been the best thing that could happen to Sabathia at the time.

The southpaw rolled off an absurd stretch of outings, as he registered seven complete games across 16 starts with Milwaukee. Four of those starts were shutouts – based on earned runs – with a combined total of 13 hits allowed.

Entering free agency that offseason, Sabathia increased his value with his ridiculous run – 1.65 ERA across 17 starts. And his performance obtained the attention of New York’s front office.

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