Not only was CC Sabathia one of the best pitchers in New York Yankees history, but a new report details how he was also one of its greatest leaders.
During 11 memorable seasons in the Bronx, Sabathia stamped his place in Yankees history. For a franchise that has had quite a few legendary players, the three-time All-Star became a beloved part of New York baseball lore. He was an elite player in those early years. Then, when his body started to fail him, he overhauled his game to become an impact player after his special stuff left him.
Yet, Sabathia was very wary of signing with the Yankees in 2009. The Vallejo, CA native actually wanted to go to the Los Angeles Dodgers. And the rumored drama in the Yankees clubhouse worried the ace pitcher.
CC Sabathia feared toxic reputation of New York Yankees locker room in 2009
“CC’s main concern was our clubhouse, and how people got along,” Yanks general manager Brian Cashman told The Athletic’s MLB insider Ian O’Connor back in 2009. “We had a reputation for not being together. We had a reputation for fighting each other, and that was a big concern there.”
In the end, the long-time New York GM chose to be honest with Sabathia. But also told him he believed he could be the man to save their locker room. Because of the very positive reputation he had while playing for the Cleveland Guardians — then Indians.
- CC Sabathia stats (Career): 251-161 W-L, 3.74 ERA, 1.259 WHIP, 3,093 strikeouts, 1,099 walks
“Yeah, we are broken,” Cashman told Sabathia. “One reason we’re committing ($161 million) to you is that you’re a team builder. We need somebody to bring us all together.”
Was Sabathia the real captain of Yankees’ 2009 title team?
For as good a pitcher as he was at his peak, Sabathia’s leadership skills were overlooked. Team legend Derek Jeter got a lot of credit for his leadership during the dynasty years in the 1990s into the early 2000s. However, his fractured relationship with fellow top star Alex Rodriguez divided the team during frustrating seasons from 2004 to 2008.
However, the man Cashman likened to Santa Claus, because of his jolly nature, bridged the divide between the two. And the rest of the locker room. Getting them all on the same page for another title run in 2009.
“He established relationships with Jeter and A-Rod just by being his gentle-giant self, and everyone else in pinstripes had a blast,” Ian O’Connor wrote. “He sucked the tension out of the room long before he won MVP honors in the ALCS victory over the Angels and finished with an ERA of 1.98 in five postseason starts.
“After the Yankees beat the Phillies in the World Series, Jeter and Rodriguez jumped into each other’s arms. The picture was published everywhere because players, coaches, executives, and fans never thought they’d see it. CC Sabathia was the one who booked that photo shoot.”
The Yankees great was inducted into the 2025 class of the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend for his efforts as a great player and leader.
