Latest news with #Sabathia
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
CC Sabathia reveals standout memory from Yankees-Red Sox rivalry
The post CC Sabathia reveals standout memory from Yankees-Red Sox rivalry appeared first on ClutchPoints. Former New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia is on the cusp of his Baseball Hall of Fame induction. During a time full of reflection and appreciation for his career, the former Cy Young Award winner is grateful. Sabathia and his Hall of Fame class have careers full of electric moments. However, a fight against Boston Red Sox that featured Tyler Austin came to mind. The Red Sox and Yankees have one of the oldest rivalries in American sports. No matter where each team sits in the standings, their matchups are front and center in Major League Baseball's schedule. Boston has the edge over the Yankees so far this season, but the clashes are always memorable. Sabathia's favorite moment from his experience is when Austin charged Joe Kelly. 'Probably the Tyler Austin fight, right? I think that was 2016,' Sabathia said about his favorite Red Sox-Yankees rivalry moment. Sabathia got involved in the scrum that resulted after Austin took off after Kelly when a pitch hit him. While that was one of the few fights in recent Yankees-Red Sox history, the matchup helped Sabathia settle into New York in 2009. 'I feel like my 'Welcome to the Yankees' moment happened against the Red Sox late in 2009,' Sabathia said. 'I had a start against them in early August. It was a big serious, I think we were chasing them, I don't think we were in first place yet. I went out, got through eight innings, gave up one run, and and that picture that the Yankees photographer took is my favorite picture.' Sabathia was a veteran in a very young Yankees clubhouse in 2017. However, he had spent the last eight seasons of his career embodying what it meant to represent New York on the diamond. According to him, he knew that night that the Yankees could be really good behind Judge, Stanton, and the rest of the teams stars. 'You have those moments and it kinda brings you together,' Sabathia said. 'That moment we had in Boston in 2017 with that team was one of those. Related: Yankees' Max Fried hoping to bounce back from blister concern soon Related: CC Sabathia drops honest Aaron Judge Yankee 'captain' admission
New York Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
CC Sabathia hoping to inspire next Black Ace through Hall of Fame
COOPERSTOWN — Throughout the lead-up to his Hall of Fame induction, CC Sabathia made several references to the Black Aces, the group of black pitchers who have won 20 games in a season in the majors. He did it again on Sunday — showing concern over the lack of black starting pitchers in the majors. 'I don't want to be the final member of the Black Aces,' Sabathia said during his speech. 'I don't want to be the final black pitcher to be giving a Hall of Fame speech.' Advertisement It's one of the reasons Sabathia is working with the nonprofit organization The Players Alliance and commissioner Rob Manfred in an effort to grow the game in minority communities. 3 Hall of Fame inductee CC Sabathia makes his acceptance speech during the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Clark Sports Center. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images He pointed to fellow inductee Dave Parker as one of the reasons he took up the sport, noting there were fewer examples of black players now. Advertisement 'In the [1980s] and early '90s, when I first started watching baseball, me and my friends played the game because we saw those guys on TV,'' Sabathia said. 'There was always someone who looked like me in a baseball uniform.' That's no longer the case, especially on the mound. Sabathia pointed to having met Jim 'Mudcat' Grant when he was 17. 3 CC Sabathia poses for a photo with his plaque after the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. AP Advertisement Grant played in Cleveland and won 21 games with Minnesota in 1965. 'Mudcat explained to me what a Black Ace was and how difficult it is to stay a starting pitcher in the major leagues,'' Sabathia said. 'I feel compelled to pay it forward and keep that going.' Sabathia had his 20-win season in 2010 and David Price was the most recent addition, in 2012. 3 CC Sabathia delivers in the first during the Tampa Bay Rays game against the New York Yankees Monday, Sept. 13, 2010. Advertisement And Sabathia remains concerned about the future, as he, Bob Gibson and Ferguson Jenkins are the only black starting pitchers in the Hall of Fame. 'When I sit here and think about it now, who's next?' Sabathia said after his speech. 'Who's the next black starting pitcher to win 20 games? Will there be another? Will there be another guy give a Hall of Fame speech? It's on me and my generation to find the next kid.'
New York Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
CC Sabathia's Hall of Fame induction reminder of enduring impact on Yankees culture
COOPERSTOWN — When Brian Cashman recruited CC Sabathia to play in New York prior to the 2009 season, he knew it would take more than just the promise of trying to win and a giant contract. 'I told him and Amber [Sabathia's wife] we would make them comfortable in New York,'' Cashman said Sunday, just prior to Sabathia's induction speech. 'I looked him in the eye — and threw a ton of money at him — but I knew he wasn't sure about playing in New York. I think we both fulfilled our promise. He became a Hall of Fame pitcher and he and his family were just fine in New York. We both fulfilled our promise.' If Sabathia's speech Sunday was any indication, Cashman's approach was the right one, since the big lefty spent nearly his entire 12-minute speech thanking the women in his life, from his wife to his mother Margie, both of whom were in attendance, to his grandmother and many aunts. While Sabathia noted that he'd shown his appreciation for his father Corky, who died early in Sabathia's career, he went out of his way to tell stories about people he believed may have been overshadowed. 6 CC Sabathia looking at his Hall of Fame Plaque during the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, New York on July 27. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post From throwing grapefruits in his grandmother's backyard as a youngster, which is where Sabathia said he first 'realized I could throw hard,' Sabathia consistently brought up 'the village of women who raised me … and a few times literally saved me.' It was his mother, Sabathia said, who taught him to become a fan of the game and brought the native of Vallejo, Calif., to A's games at the Oakland Coliseum, where Sabathia watched the 1989 World Series-winning team that included fellow Hall of Fame inductee Dave Parker, who died just a month before the ceremony. His father helped teach Sabathia the game, but Margie was a significant part of his growth, as well. 'My mom loved the game, too,'' Sabathia said. 'She'd put the catching gear on and catch me in the backyard. My mom is the reason I'm a baseball fan. And fans turn into players who sometimes turn into Hall of Famers.' 6 CC Sabathia speaking during the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post 6 CC Sabathia's plaque that will hang in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Sabathia's path to Cooperstown began in Cleveland, where he spent the first eight-plus seasons of his career after being a first-round pick of the organization in 1998. And he solidified his status as an ace in 2008, after being traded to Milwaukee, where he consistently pitched on short rest to lead the Brewers to the postseason — even with free agency approaching. But it was in The Bronx where Sabathia cemented his Hall of Fame credentials, pitching the final 11 seasons of his career and leading the Yankees to the 2009 World Series title. 6 CC Sabathia posing for a photo after the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post 'We had a very high assessment of him as a pitcher and that was obviously met, even before he was a Hall of Famer,'' Cashman said. Cashman credited Sabathia for changing the culture of the team at the time. 'I thought we had, in some ways, a broken clubhouse, and he had a reputation as a connector,'' Cashman said. 'He made a fantastic impact.' That impact continues today, with his former teammates still citing Sabathia as an example for how they play. 6 Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia throws a pitch during a game against the Rangers on Oct. 20, 2010. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post 6 CC Sabathia reacts after getting out of trouble in the 6th inning in an ALCS game against the Rangers in 2010. Neil Miller Prior to his IL stint, Aaron Judge said Sabathia's performance in 2019, when he pitched out of the bullpen in the postseason until his shoulder gave out, is a reason why he puts his body at risk in the outfield. 'Watching him go out there hurt and then basically throw until his arm came off, you can't help but be motivated by that,'' Judge said of Sabathia, who entered Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros while pitching with left shoulder soreness and walked off the mound with a subluxation of his left shoulder. 'That last run was a great example,'' Judge said. 'He threw literally until he couldn't throw anymore. I'll never forget that. We didn't finish it that year, but he knew if we were gonna get there, it was gonna take all of your body and soul.' And on Sunday, it landed Sabathia in the Hall of Fame.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Baseball Hall of Fame 2025 induction: Best moments from Ichiro, Sabathia, more
The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed five new members on Sunday, July 27, as Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen were inducted in Cooperstown, New York. Suzuki became the Hall of Fame's first Japanese player – assembling a 19-year MLB career after nine decorated professional seasons in Japan – and was just one vote shy of a unanimous election. Sabathia also got in on his first ballot after winning 261 games as one of the best starting pitchers of the new millennium. Wagner ranks eighth on the all-time saves list with 422, while Allen (1972) and Parker (1978) were MVP award winners. An enormous crowd showed for the festivities, with Suzuki a fan favorite on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. Sabathia also had a huge number of fans on hand with Cooperstown a four-hour drive from Yankee Stadium, where Sabathia pitched 11 seasons. Here are some of the best moments from Sunday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony: Ichiro steals the show Ichiro was undoubtedly the biggest name of the 2025 Hall of Fame class, the first Japanese-born player to be enshrined in Cooperstown. Despite his immense fame, success and long, illustrious career though, Ichiro started his speech talking about his familiarity with being a rookie – first in Japan, then Seattle, and now Cooperstown. He asked his fellow Hall of Fame members to take it "easy with the hazing." Ichiro then spoke on his accomplishments, mentioning that he was honored that "all but one" of the BBWAA writers believed he was worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Ichiro had previously offered to have that writer over for dinner at his house, but during his speech, Ichiro rescinded the offer, which drew a large laugh from the crowd. Ichiro also did not shy away from the pressure he faced as a Japanese-born player. He went out of his way to thank Hideo Nomo for carving the path toward Japanese players commonly being found in Major League Baseball. After a day of largely emotional speeches filled with tears and heartfelt poems, Ichiro's was much lighter, speaking largely on the difference between "dreams" and goals", his love for Seattle, and his love for the high-octane calls he heard on the television and radio for some of his most iconic plays. He even talked about his greatest experience in baseball, being able to enjoy a hot dog in the stands with his wife after he'd retired. Ichiro finished his speech to massive applause and "I-CHI-RO" chants from fans in the crowd. CC Sabathia learned lessons from each place he lived Sabathia's speech was a bit of an autobiography, speaking on lessons that he learned and people who inspired him at each step in his life, from his childhood to Cooperstown. He started his speech talking about how his mother inspired his love for baseball, and how he can still remember the starting lineups from certain All-Star games, pointing out fellow 2025 Hall of Fame class member Dave Parker as a player he loved watching growing up. At the same time, he did poke fun at Ichiro Suzuki, who Sabathia claims "stole [his] Rookie of the Year award in 2001." Sabathia's speech was all about family, from the women who raised him in Vallejo to the brothers he found during his Major League career to his own kids. He's had a lot of homes throughout his career, but home isn't where you live, it's wherever you feel most at peace, and that is very clearly the case for CC Sabathia. Dick Allen's widow speaks on his character Phillies' legend Dick Allen was known for his strong build, but his widow Willa, made most of the acceptance speech about his kind heart. Whether it was taking time to speak with children who were fans of his or his simple "Thank you" when the Phillies told him that they were going to retire his number, Allen never took the fact that he got to play baseball for a living for granted. Willa Allen got noticeably emotional when speaking on her husband's death, which came just four months after the Phillies told him they would retire his number. Dave Parker's son shares memories of his father Pirates' legend Dave Parker passed away less than a month away from his induction ceremony, making his son's speech hit that much harder as it happened. Dave Parker II even mentioned that he died while writing his Hall of Fame speech. Parker II finished his speech with a poem written by his father, noting that it was specifically his father's request that it be read during the acceptance speech. The poem was a good conclusion, with Parker posthumously praising himself for his "rocket arm" and willingness to "run any catcher over." The best moment of the poem though was the finale. After mentioning that Cooperstown would be his last stop, Parker wrote, "I didn't lie in my documentary, I told you I wouldn't show [to my acceptance speech]." Considering Parker's recent death, this line hit infinitely harder. Billy Wagner leads off Hall of Fame speeches Renowned for his closing ability, Billy Wagner led off the Hall of Fame acceptance speeches reminiscing about being a kid who never thought he'd end up in Cooperstown. Wagner's speech was preceded by incredible words from fellow Hall of Famer and former teammate, Craig Biggio. Wagner continued on, speaking about his luck to finish his career with his hometown team, the oddity that he never closed a game in the minors and never started a game in the majors, and thanking his family for their support, even getting teary-eyed while mentioning his wife. Arguably the highlight though was when Wagner turned to speak to his Hall of Fame teammates Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. Sharing the stage with them, Wagner wasted no time both praising and teasing them, mocking Bagwell's terrifying "glare" and Biggio's whininess, while also praising their consistency and competitiveness. Ken Griffey Jr. receives monumental applause With Ichiro Suzuki entering the Hall today, it was no surprise that numerous Mariners fans had made their way to Cooperstown. Before Suzuki could take the stage though, several other Hall of Famers took the stage to show their support, including Mariners' legend Ken Griffey Jr. The applause was enormous, definitely the largest of the day before Ichiro. Unsurprisingly, the next largest applause came from the announcement of Mariners' designated hitter and third baseman Edgar Martinez. When Suzuki was finally announced, he an Griffey shared a handshake on stage. The two played together for two seasons in Seattle. What time is the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony? The 2025 Hall of Fame ceremony was scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET. But due to inclement weather expected between noon and 2 p.m., the start of the induction ceremony has been moved to 2:30 p.m. ET. How to watch Baseball Hall of Fame induction Where is the Baseball Hall of Fame located? The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cooperstown, New York, about a four-hour drive north of New York City. (This story has been updated with new information.)
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
CC Sabathia Exudes Humility In Eloquent Hall Of Fame Induction Speech
Baseball Hall of Fame inductee CC Sabathia arrives on stage during the National Baseball Hall of ... More Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y., Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. CC Sabathia's induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum goes well beyond an elite left-handed starting pitcher being elected in his first year of eligibility. One of 15 pitchers who have won at least 250 ball games and struck out 3,000 batters, Sabathia is the personification of perseverance both on and off the field. Instead of a 15-minute induction speech that felt like a wandering trip down memory lane with occasional moments of levity, Sabathia was direct and spoke from the heart about the village of women who helped him navigate the struggles of life. Sabathia made it clear that he would be personally thanking a long list of people, but his induction speech was a tribute to a special group of women. Sabathia paid homage to his mother, wife, aunts and grandmother. Amid family tragedies and the absence of his father for a period, Sabathia's mother stressed the importance of character and always looking to move beyond the storm. She also didn't mind wearing catcher's equipment to work with her son as an adolescent or talk about pitch selection after a ball game when Sabathia was making a name for himself at the major league level. The joy in Sabathia's eyes was overwhelming while talking about his wife, Amber, and their four children. A renewed outlook on life is allowing Sabathia to enjoy his children's theater, dance and baseball endeavors. A first-round selection (20th pick) by the Cleveland Indians in Major League Baseball's 1998 draft, Sabathia received a $1.3 million signing bonus out of high school in Vallejo, California. According to Baseball-Reference's calculation of the wins above replacement (WAR) statistic, Sabathia's 62.3 WAR is the highest in his draft class. A raw talent by all accounts, Sabathia's first minor league bullpen session in front of pitching coach Carl Willis could have been viewed as a disaster since he didn't know how to demonstrate the grips on a two-seam fastball or four-seam fastball. Willis' patience and attention to detail instilled confidence in Sabathia as he acquired a comprehensive education in pitching mechanics. Sabathia is a proud member of the Black Aces, an exclusive fraternity of 15 Black pitchers who have won at least 20 ball games in a single season. A 21-game winner with the New York Yankees in 2010, Sabathia is one of three Black Aces who are enshrined in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown alongside right-handed pitchers Bob Gibson and Ferguson Jenkins. As a 17-year-old minor league pitching prospect, Sabathia was introduced to Jim 'Mudcat' Grant, a former right-handed pitcher and veteran of 14 major league seasons. Grant impressed upon Sabathia the importance of being a Black starting pitcher and getting connected with Buck O'Neil and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. A driving force in creating the Black Aces, Grant won 21 ball games in 1965 while pitching for the Minnesota Twins. Baseball Hall of Fame inductees Billy Wagner, left, Ichiro Suzuki, second from left, and CC ... More Sabathia, center, pose with Willa Allen, wife of Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Dick Allen, second from right, and Dave Parker II, son of Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Dave Parker, at the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y., Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. In honor of Sabathia and fellow Hall of Fame classmate Ichiro Suzuki, the Yankees curated a stadium museum exhibit celebrating their achievements while wearing the venerable pinstripes. As Sabathia selected the Yankees as the cap designation on his bronze plaque, the franchise chose three phrases that eloquently summarized his career in the Bronx. Sabathia was a clubhouse leader who served as a mentor and inspiration to teammates. A consistent winner, he was the epitome of the workhorse starting pitcher who put the ball club's needs ahead of personal achievements. An advocate for empowering others, Sabathia's PitCCh In Foundation enriches lives in underserved communities through athletic and educational endeavors such as clinics, renovating baseball fields, and distributing backpacks with school supplies for children. Clayton Kershaw Pays Tribute To CC Sabathia Left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers recently joined the prestigious 3,000 strikeout club. A reporter asked Kershaw which member of the club resonated the most with him. While he paid respect to contemporaries such as right-handed pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, Kershaw was effusive in his praise of Sabathia. He specifically referenced what Sabathia did in September 2008 when he made three consecutive starts each on three days' rest to catapult the Milwaukee Brewers into the postseason for the first time since Game Seven of the 1982 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Kershaw was in awe of Sabathia's selflessness and blatant disregard for his well-being even as free agency awaited him at season's end. Besides his infectious smile and gregarious personality, you can't help but feel attracted to Sabathia given his brutal honesty regarding alcoholism, mental and physical health. Through personal experiences and the bravery to ask for help, Sabathia has learned how to manage the duality of beauty and tragedy in life one day at a time. An addiction to alcohol exacerbated decades of pain caused by anxiety, grief and insecurity. The pressures were compounded by Sabathia viewing his left arm as a golden ticket out of poverty and an opportunity to build a life of privilege for loved ones. It was as if his left arm was maintained in pristine condition while the rest of Sabathia's body and soul suffered from years of neglect and addiction. CC Sabathia Reinvented Himself As A Starting Pitcher As choices have consequences, Sabathia was physically breaking down just as he was developing a healthy mindset for baseball and life. No one will ever forget his final appearance in Game Four of the 2019 American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium where he sustained a left shoulder subluxation as the FS1 cameras caught a distraught Sabathia sitting on the dugout steps leading into the clubhouse. Besides ravaging his right knee to the point where he needs a replacement, Sabathia underwent angioplasty in December 2018 to remove a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart. BRONX, NY - OCTOBER 17: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees walks off the field with Head ... More Athletic Trainer Steve Donohue during Game 4 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, October 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) MLB Photos via Getty Images Age and injuries forced Sabathia to confront limitations, but he made the necessary adjustments while earning universal respect from teammates and opponents. Instead of relying on four-seam fastballs pushing triple digits in velocity, Sabathia evolved into a cerebral pitcher who treated baseball more like a game of chess. He took pride in the art of inducing soft contact and moving pitches around the strike zone. While the days of complete games and throwing more than 100 pitches in a start were a distant memory, Sabathia took tremendous pride in five-inning performances where he kept hitters off balance with a new repertoire that featured a cutter, slider and two-seam fastball. CC Sabathia competed with integrity and intensity while maintaining a deep loyalty to his teammates. In retirement, he is an invaluable asset to Major League Baseball as a special assistant to commissioner Rob Manfred. Besides sharing his vast insights and serving as a liaison between the league and current ball players, Sabathia wants to ensure that he won't be the final member of the Black Aces. A healthy future for Major League Baseball begins with accessibility, affordability, diversity and Sabathia's regular involvement when it comes to growing the game.
