CC Sabathia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CC Sabathia |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpeg)
Sabathia with the New York Yankees in 2016
|
|||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: July 21, 1980 Vallejo, California, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| April 8, 2001, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 24, 2019, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 251–161 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.74 | ||
| Strikeouts | 3,093 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
 Baseball Hall of Fame |
|||
| Induction | 2025 | ||
| Vote | 86.8% (first ballot) | ||
Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr. (born July 21, 1980), known as CC Sabathia, is a former American professional baseball pitcher. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees. Sabathia was a left-handed pitcher and batter.
Sabathia started his MLB career with the Cleveland Indians in 2001. He quickly became a top player. In 2007, he won the Cy Young Award for being the best pitcher in the American League. He helped the Indians reach the playoffs. Later in 2008, he joined the Milwaukee Brewers. He helped them make the playoffs for the first time in 26 years.
In 2009, Sabathia signed a big contract with the New York Yankees. With the Yankees, he led all of MLB in wins in 2009 and 2010. He also won a World Series championship in 2009. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series that year. After facing some challenges, Sabathia changed his pitching style. He became a control pitcher and found success again. He retired after the 2019 season.
During his career, Sabathia was chosen as an All-Star six times. He became the 17th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts. When he retired, he led all active players in career wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts. In 2025, Sabathia was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. This happened in his first year of eligibility.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Sabathia was born in Vallejo, California. He went to Vallejo High School. There, he was excellent in baseball, basketball, and football. In baseball, he had a great senior year. He won 6 games and had a very low earned run average (ERA) of 0.77. He also struck out 82 batters.
He was considered the best high school baseball player in Northern California. In football, he was an all-conference tight end. He even received offers to play college football. He chose to play both baseball and football at the [[University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa]]. However, he went straight from high school to professional baseball.
Professional Baseball Career
Drafted by the Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians picked Sabathia in the first round of the 1998 MLB draft. He was the 20th player chosen overall. He signed a contract and played in the Indians' minor league system for three seasons.
In 2000, Sabathia was chosen for the U.S. Olympic Team roster. He played in one game before the Olympics. He was called up by the Cleveland Indians before the official Olympic roster was set. He was named the Indians' Minor League Player of the Year in 2000.
Cleveland Indians (2001–2008)
In 2001, Sabathia started his rookie season at age 20. He was the youngest player in Major League Baseball. He made his first MLB appearance on April 8, 2001. He finished the season with 17 wins and 5 losses. He was second in the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year voting.
In 2002, Sabathia signed a four-year contract with the Indians. He continued to pitch well. In 2003, he was named to the American League All-Star team for the first time. He was also an All-Star in 2004.
The Indians kept Sabathia for the 2006 season. He had a strong year, going 12–11 with a 3.22 ERA. He led the major leagues with six complete games.
In 2007, Sabathia became a national star. He won the AL Cy Young Award. He had 19 wins and 7 losses with a 3.21 ERA. He also led the league in innings pitched. On September 28, he became the youngest pitcher since 1993 to reach 100 career wins. His great pitching helped Cleveland win their division. He also won the Warren Spahn Award for the best left-handed pitcher.
Sabathia started the 2008 season with the Indians. On July 30, 2008, he thanked Cleveland fans in a newspaper ad. He had played for the Indians for over seven seasons. He finished his time with the Indians with 106 wins.
Milwaukee Brewers (2008)
On July 7, 2008, Cleveland traded Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers. He joined the Brewers for the second half of the season. Sabathia helped the Brewers reach the playoffs for the first time since 1982.
He was especially dominant with Milwaukee. He won 11 games and lost only 2. He had a very low 1.65 ERA in 17 starts. He also threw seven complete games. Even though he only played half the season in the National League, he finished high in the Cy Young Award voting. He won the Warren Spahn Award for the second year in a row.
New York Yankees (2009–2019)
Joining the Yankees and World Series Win
On December 18, 2008, Sabathia signed a seven-year contract with the New York Yankees. It was the biggest contract for a pitcher at that time. In 2009, Sabathia was the Yankees' Opening Day pitcher. He finished the season with 19 wins and 8 losses. His 19 wins were tied for the most in MLB that year.
Sabathia earned his first playoff win with the Yankees in 2009. He helped the Yankees sweep the Minnesota Twins. He was also named the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series. He pitched very well against the Los Angeles Angels. The Yankees then advanced to the World Series.
Sabathia helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. This was the Yankees' 27th championship. It was also Sabathia's first World Series title. He pitched very well in the playoffs. He won the Warren Spahn Award for the third year in a row.
Continued Success (2010–2012)
In 2010, Sabathia was chosen for his fourth All-Star team. He had a great season, winning 21 games and losing only 7. This was the first time in his career he won 20 games. His 21 wins were the most in Major League Baseball. The Yankees made the playoffs again.
In 2011, Sabathia was the Yankees' Opening Day starter for the third year. He was named to his fifth All-Star Game. He had a strong season with 19 wins and 8 losses. He also recorded his 2,000th career strikeout. The Yankees won their division again.
Sabathia started the 2012 season with some challenges. However, he recovered and pitched well. He was named an All-Star for the sixth time. He reached 200 innings pitched for the sixth year in a row. He finished with 15 wins and 6 losses. The Yankees won their division again.
.jpeg)
In the 2012 playoffs, Sabathia was excellent. He won both Game 1 and Game 5 of the Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles. Game 5 was his first career complete game in the playoffs.
Challenges and Comeback (2013–2015)
In 2013, Sabathia made his eighth straight Opening Day start. On July 3, he earned his 200th career win. His season ended early due to a leg injury. He finished with 14 wins and 13 losses.
.jpg)
In 2014, Sabathia's season was cut short by knee problems. He only made eight starts. In 2015, he recorded his 2,500th career strikeout. He became the 31st pitcher in MLB history to reach this milestone.
Sabathia faced personal challenges in 2015. He sought help for his health. He returned to the Yankees and pitched well in his final five starts. He helped the Yankees get into the playoffs. He finished the season with 6 wins and 10 losses.
Late-Career Success (2016–2019)
The 2016 season showed improvement for Sabathia. He won his 100th game as a Yankee. He finished the season with 9 wins and 12 losses. His improved performance was partly due to using a special knee brace.
.jpg)
In 2017, Sabathia had a great comeback. He changed his pitching style from power to control. He finished the season with 14 wins and 5 losses. He helped the Yankees reach the playoffs. He pitched well in the playoffs, helping the Yankees advance to the ALCS.
.jpg)
In 2018, Sabathia re-signed with the Yankees. On June 12, he recorded his 1,500th strikeout as a Yankee. He finished the season with 9 wins and 7 losses. The Yankees made the playoffs again.
In November 2018, Sabathia re-signed with the Yankees for his final season. In December 2018, he had a heart procedure. On February 16, 2019, he announced that 2019 would be his last season.
Final Season (2019)
Sabathia started the 2019 season recovering from his heart procedure. He made his first start on April 13. On April 30, 2019, he recorded his 3,000th strikeout. He became only the third left-handed pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts.
On June 19, he earned his 250th career win. Sabathia accepted an invitation to the 2019 MLB All-Star Game in Cleveland. He threw the ceremonial first pitch. He finished his final regular season with 5 wins and 8 losses.
Sabathia was added to the Yankees' playoff roster as a reliever. He pitched in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. He had to leave the game due to a shoulder injury. This was his final pitch in baseball. He later said his exit was "kind of fitting."
On October 21, 2019, Sabathia officially announced his retirement. He thanked his family, teammates, and fans. He finished his 11 years with the Yankees with 134 wins and 88 losses.
After Baseball
On April 6, 2022, Sabathia was hired by Major League Baseball. He became a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred. In 2025, Sabathia was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. This happened in his first year of eligibility. On July 27, 2025, Sabathia was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Awards and Achievements
- 6× All-Star selection (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010–2012)
- World Series champion (2009)
- ALCS MVP (2009)
- AL Cy Young Award (2007)
- 3x Warren Spahn Award winner (2007–2009)
- 2× MLB wins leader (2009, 2010)
- 2× AL shutouts leader (2006, 2008)
- NL shutouts leader (2008)
- 3,000 strikeout club member
Player Style and Impact
.jpeg)
In August 2017, Sabathia became the all-time American League leader in strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher. When he retired in 2019, he led all active MLB players in career wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts. From 2005 to 2012, Sabathia was the pitcher with the most wins in Major League Baseball.
Even though he pitched and batted left-handed, Sabathia is actually right-handed. He said his father taught him to throw with his left hand when he was two years old.
As a hitter, Sabathia had 25 hits in 121 tries. On June 21, 2008, he hit a very long home run. On July 13, 2008, he hit his second home run of the season. He was only the third pitcher in history to hit a home run in both the American and National Leagues in the same season.
Sabathia was known for pitching many innings each season. He was often called a "workhorse." He averaged over 200 innings pitched per season for most of his career.
Personal Life and Community Work
.jpg)
Sabathia and his wife, Amber, have four children: Carsten Charles III, Jaeden Arie, Cyia, and Carter. The family moved to Alpine, New Jersey, after he signed with the Yankees.
Sabathia stays connected to his hometown of Vallejo, California. In 2012, Vallejo High School honored him by renaming their baseball field after him. Sabathia's "PitCCh In Foundation" helped renovate the field. This charity supports children in inner cities.
In 2015, Sabathia announced he was seeking help for his health. He later shared his story in an essay. In 2017, Sabathia started a podcast called "R2C2."
In December 2018, Sabathia had a heart procedure. After this, he started a new exercise and diet plan. He lost a lot of weight. In 2021, his original team, the Cleveland Indians, named a baseball field in Cleveland after him.
Sabathia's son, Carsten III, played college baseball for Georgia Tech and Houston.
See also
In Spanish: CC Sabathia para niños
- Black Aces, African-American pitchers with a 20-win MLB season
- Cleveland Guardians award winners and league leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual shutout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career games started leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career innings pitched leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders
