Yankees to Honor CC Sabathia
The New York Yankees have revealed plans to honor CC Sabathia by retiring his jersey number, 52, during a ceremony set for September 26. This special event will take place at Monument Park, located beyond the center-field fence at Yankee Stadium, prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles. With Sabathia’s number retirement, he will become the 24th player in the Yankees’ history to receive this distinction, following the recognition of Paul O’Neill, whose No. 21 was retired in 2022.
CC Sabathia’s Career Highlights
Sabathia, a celebrated six-time All-Star, enjoyed a storied career in Major League Baseball. He clinched the American League Cy Young Award in 2007 while playing for the Cleveland Indians and achieved World Series glory in 2009 with the Yankees, the first season he joined the team as a free agent. Over an impressive 19-year career, he amassed a record of 251 wins against 161 losses, maintaining a 3.74 earned run average and racking up 3,093 strikeouts — ranking third all-time among left-handed pitchers behind legends Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton.
His time with the Yankees from 2009 to 2019 saw him post a 134-88 record and 1,700 strikeouts with a 3.81 ERA.
Legacy and Hall of Fame Induction
In 2025, Sabathia earned his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot, cementing his legacy in the sport. His plaque will join those of other Yankee greats like Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, who are also honored in Monument Park.
Yankees’ Tradition of Jersey Retirements
The Yankees have long celebrated their legendary players through jersey number retirements, with notable figures like Babe Ruth (No. 3), Lou Gehrig (No. 4), and Joe DiMaggio (No. 5) having their numbers forever etched in baseball history. The legacy continues with Sabathia’s upcoming tribute alongside the retired numbers of former stars, and with Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 being honored across Major League Baseball since 1997.
