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New York Yankees: What’s next for CC Sabathia?

By Lucas Friedman|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees salutes the crowd as he is honored prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 22, 2019 in the Bronx borough New York City. CC Sabathia is retiring at the end of the season. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees salutes the crowd as he is honored prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 22, 2019 in the Bronx borough New York City. CC Sabathia is retiring at the end of the season. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

CC Sabathia’s career is over after being removed from the New York Yankees’ ALCS roster. What does the future have in store for the 19-year-veteran?

There was an ominous feeling in the air at Yankee Stadium during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. Not only because the Astros powered their way to a commanding 3-1 series lead, but also because they lost their largest clubhouse presence for good.

CC Sabathia entered the game in the 8th inning as the New York Yankees trailed 6-3. However, after only two-thirds of an inning, he was removed due to injury. As he was helped off the field by trainer Steve Donahue, he received a standing ovation from the Yankee faithful. Unfortunately, it was the last time he will receive one as a player.

Sabathia announced his intentions to retire at the end of the 2019 season in February. The 39-year-old lefty has long dealt with knee problems, receiving arthroscopic on his right knee three straight years in a row. He has commented that he will require major surgery on both knees upon retirement, and has dealt with immense pain throughout the 2019 season.

However, Sabathia toughed it out in order to help his team pursue their 28th World Series championship. He finished the season with a 5-8 record with a 4.95 ERA in 22 starts. He still struck out 107 batters in 107.1 innings pitched.

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After spending most of September on the IL, Sabathia returned to the Yankees hoping to contribute to the bullpen in the postseason. He made two appearances before his career abruptly ended. So, what does the future hold for CC?

Well, he has certainly gotten a head start on his post-baseball career. In March, ESPN announced that Sabathia will join the network as an on-air analyst. He contributed throughout the season, and appears ready to jump right into a more involved role with the network upon his retirement. Since 2017, he has also hosted a podcast called R2C2 with co-host and YES network announcer Ryan Ruocco.

So, Sabathia will have plenty to do for the foreseeable future. However, does that future include a hall of fame induction? His case is certainly compelling.

Over the course of his 19 season with the Indians, Brewers, and Yankees, Sabathia earned six all star game nods, and finished top five in Cy Young voting five times. He won the award in 2007 with the Indians. He all but single-handedly led the Brewers to the playoffs in 2008, posting an 11-2 record, 1.65 ERA and 7 complete games in 17 starts with the team. After that, he earned a lucrative contract to become the ace of the Yankees, where he anchored their rotation to a World Series title in 2009.

Overall, his career numbers are elite. He has a 251-161 record with a career 3.74 ERA. With his 3,093 strikeouts, he became only the 14th pitcher to record 3,000+ strikeouts and 250+ wins.

Sabathia has become one of the most well-respected and well-liked personalities in all of baseball, and he will undoubtedly transfer that into a lucrative post-retirement career. His career performance should earn him a plaque in Cooperstown when it is all said and done. The end of CC’s career was abrupt and emotional, but he should be excited for the next phase of his life, as great things await him.

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