CC Sabathia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids CC Sabathia
Sabathia with the New York Yankees in 2016
Pitcher
Born: (1980-07-21) July 21, 1980 (age 44) Vallejo, California, U.S.
Batted: Left Threw: Left
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
Cleveland Indians (2001–2008) Milwaukee Brewers (2008) New York Yankees (2009–2019)
Career highlights and awards
6× All-Star (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010–2012) World Series champion (2009) AL Cy Young Award (2007) ALCS MVP (2009) 2× MLB wins leader (2009, 2010) Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame
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 for 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). His teams included 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 was second in the Rookie of the Year voting that year. He played for the Indians for seven and a half seasons. In 2007, he won the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the American League. He helped the Indians win their division and reach the playoffs.

In 2008, Sabathia was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. He helped them reach the playoffs for the first time in 26 years. After that season, he signed a big contract with the New York Yankees. It was the largest contract for a pitcher at that time. With the Yankees, Sabathia led 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 (ALCS) in 2009.

During his career, Sabathia was chosen as an All-Star six times. He also won the Warren Spahn Award three years in a row (2007–2009). In 2017, he became the all-time American League leader in strikeouts for a left-handed pitcher. On April 30, 2019, he became the 17th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts. When he retired in 2019, he led all active players in career wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts. With 251 career wins, he is tied for second among Black pitchers in MLB history. In 2025, Sabathia was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Early Life and High School Sports

Sabathia was born in Vallejo, California. He went to Vallejo High School. There, he was great at baseball, basketball, and football. As a teenager, he played summer baseball in a youth program called Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI).

In his senior year of high school baseball, he had a 6–0 record. His earned run average (ERA) was 0.77, and he had 82 strikeouts in 45 and two-thirds innings pitched. Baseball America magazine said he was the best high school baseball player in Northern California. In football, he was an all-conference tight end. He received scholarship offers to play college football, including one from the University of California, Los Angeles. He planned to play both baseball and football at the [[University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa]]. Sabathia graduated in 1998 and went straight to minor league baseball.

Professional Baseball Career

Draft and Minor Leagues

The Cleveland Indians chose Sabathia in the first round of the 1998 MLB draft. He was the 20th player picked overall. He signed a contract for $1.3 million and played in the Indians' minor league system for three seasons.

In 2000, Sabathia was chosen for the U.S. Olympic baseball team. He played in one game before the Olympics in Sydney, Australia. However, he was called up by the Cleveland Indians and did not play in the official Gold Medal-winning Olympic games. He was named the Indians' Minor League Player of the Year in 2000.

Playing for the Cleveland Indians (2001–2008)

In 2001, Sabathia started his rookie season at age 20. He was the youngest player in Major League Baseball. He finished the season with 17 wins and 5 losses. He placed second in the AL voting for Rookie of the Year. The winner was future Yankees teammate Ichiro Suzuki. Sabathia also played in the postseason for the first time in 2001.

On February 23, 2002, Sabathia signed a four-year, $9.5 million contract with the Indians. In 2002, he was tenth in the AL in strikeouts. In 2003, he had the tenth-best ERA in the AL (3.60). He was also chosen for the American League All-Star team for the first time. Sabathia made his second All-Star team in 2004.

Sabathia with the Indians in 2006

The Indians extended his contract in 2005. That year, he was fourth in the AL in strikeouts per 9 innings. He was also seventh in total strikeouts and eighth in wins. He threw the fastest fastball in the AL in 2005, averaging 94.7 miles per hour.

In 2006, Sabathia led all of Major League Baseball with six complete games. He also led the AL in shutouts (2). He was third in ERA and eighth in strikeouts.

Sabathia became very well-known in 2007. He won the AL Cy Young Award for being the best pitcher. He had 19 wins and 7 losses, a 3.21 ERA, and 209 strikeouts. He also led the major leagues with 241 innings pitched. On May 21, 2007, he got his 1,000th career strikeout. This was against Ichiro Suzuki, who had beaten him for Rookie of the Year. He was also named to the American League All-Star team for the third time. On September 28, he became the youngest pitcher since 1993 to reach 100 career wins. His great pitching helped Cleveland win their division. This was their first division title since 2001. Sabathia also won the Warren Spahn Award as the best left-handed pitcher in MLB.

Sabathia started the 2008 season with a 6–8 record and a 3.83 ERA. The Indians were not doing well, so they decided to trade him.

Sabathia with the Indians in 2007, his Cy Young year

Sabathia finished his time with the Indians with 106 wins and 71 losses. He had a 3.83 ERA and 1,265 strikeouts.

Time with the Milwaukee Brewers (2008)

On July 7, 2008, Cleveland traded Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers. He was traded for several players. Sabathia helped the Brewers reach the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

On September 28, 2008, Sabathia pitched a complete game against the Cubs. The Brewers won, which helped them get a wild card spot in the playoffs. Sabathia was very strong during his time with Milwaukee. He had 11 wins and 2 losses in 17 starts. His ERA was 1.65, and he had 128 strikeouts. He threw seven complete games. Even though he only played half the season in the National League, he finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. He also won the Warren Spahn Award for the second year in a row.

Joining the New York Yankees (2009–2019)

2009: World Series Champion

CC Sabathia in 2009

On December 18, 2008, Sabathia signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the New York Yankees. This was the biggest contract for a pitcher in MLB history at the 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 Major League Baseball that year. He also had a 3.37 ERA and 197 strikeouts. The Yankees had the best record in MLB that season.

Sabathia earned his first playoff win with the Yankees in the 2009 ALDS. He helped the Yankees sweep the series. Sabathia also won the American League Championship Series (ALCS) Most Valuable Player Award. He had a 1.13 ERA in two starts against the Los Angeles Angels. The Yankees beat the Angels to reach their first World Series since 2003.

Sabathia helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. This was the Yankees' 27th World Series title. It was also Sabathia's first World Series championship. In five playoff starts, Sabathia had 3 wins and 1 loss with a 1.98 ERA. He also received the Warren Spahn Award for the third year in a row.

2010–2012: Continued Success

On July 4, 2010, Sabathia was chosen for his fourth All-Star team. This was his first as a Yankee. By the All-Star break, he had 12 wins and 3 losses with a 3.09 ERA. The 2010 season was the first time Sabathia won 20 games in his career. He finished the season with 21 wins, the most in Major League Baseball. He had a 3.18 ERA and 197 strikeouts. The Yankees won the AL Wild Card. Sabathia finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting.

In 2011, Sabathia was the Yankees' Opening Day starter for the third year in a row. He was named to his fifth All-Star game. In July 2011, Sabathia threw a complete game shutout against the Rays. He became the first Yankee pitcher since 1996 to have 13 wins by the All-Star break. On July 26, 2011, Sabathia almost pitched a perfect game against the Seattle Mariners. He retired the first 19 batters he faced. He ended up striking out 14 batters and pitching a one-hitter. For his great performance in July, he was named the AL Pitcher of the Month. On September 10, 2011, Sabathia recorded his 2,000th career strikeout.

In 2011, Sabathia had 19 wins and 8 losses with a 3.00 ERA. He struck out 230 batters. This was the third-highest number of strikeouts in a single season in Yankees history. The Yankees won the AL East again. Sabathia finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting. He signed a contract extension with the Yankees, showing he wanted to stay.

Sabathia had some injuries in 2012. He was placed on the disabled list twice with muscle soreness. Despite this, he reached 200 innings pitched for the sixth year in a row. He finished the year with 15 wins and 6 losses, a 3.38 ERA, and 197 strikeouts. The Yankees won the AL East for the third time in four years.

Sabathia pitching in Game 5 of the 2012 AL Division Series

In the 2012 American League Division Series, Sabathia pitched very well. He won both Game 1 and the deciding Game 5 against the Baltimore Orioles. In Game 5, he threw his first career complete game in the playoffs. He allowed only one run and helped the Yankees win the series. However, the Yankees lost in the ALCS to the Detroit Tigers. After the season, Sabathia had surgery on his left elbow to remove a small bone spur.

2013–2015: Dealing with Injuries

In 2013, Sabathia made his eighth straight Opening Day start. On July 3, he got his 200th career win. His season ended early because of a strained leg muscle. He finished with 14 wins and 13 losses, and a 4.78 ERA.

Sabathia in July 2014 during a minor-league rehabilitation appearance

Sabathia had problems with his right knee in 2014. His season ended in July after only eight starts. He had knee surgery on July 23.

In 2015, Sabathia continued to deal with knee issues. On June 7, 2015, he recorded his 2,500th career strikeout. He became the 31st pitcher in MLB history to reach this milestone. He was placed on the disabled list in August with knee soreness. He returned in September wearing a knee brace. He pitched well after returning, helping the Yankees make the playoffs. He finished the season with 6 wins and 10 losses.

2016–2019: Strong Finish and Retirement

The 2016 season was much better for Sabathia. He won his 100th game as a Yankee on May 20. He made 30 starts and finished with 9 wins and 12 losses. His ERA was 3.91. His improved performance was partly due to his continued use of the knee brace.

Sabathia in 2017

Sabathia had a great comeback in 2017. He changed his pitching style, relying more on control than speed. He had some hamstring and knee injuries during the season. But he finished strong, winning 5 of his last 8 starts. This helped the Yankees get a wild card spot in the playoffs. He finished the season with 14 wins and 5 losses, and a 3.69 ERA.

In the 2017 playoffs, Sabathia pitched well against the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros. He helped the Yankees reach the ALCS. However, the Yankees lost to the Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS.

Sabathia in July 2018

Sabathia signed a new contract with the Yankees for the 2018 season. On June 12, 2018, he recorded his 1,500th strikeout as a Yankee. He joined other great Yankees pitchers with this achievement. He had more knee problems and was placed on the disabled list in August. Sabathia was ejected from a game in September for hitting a batter. He finished the season with 9 wins and 7 losses and a 3.65 ERA.

The Yankees made the playoffs in 2018. Sabathia started a game in the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox, but the Yankees lost the series.

On November 7, 2018, Sabathia signed another one-year contract with the Yankees. In December 2018, he had a heart procedure to clear a blockage. He recovered well and announced in February 2019 that the 2019 season would be his last.

2019: Final Season

Sabathia started the 2019 season on the injured list while recovering from heart surgery. 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. He had more knee inflammation in May and was told he would need knee replacement surgery after his career. On June 19, he recorded his 250th career win. Sabathia was invited to the 2019 MLB All-Star Game in Cleveland to throw the ceremonial first pitch. He finished the season with 5 wins and 8 losses. During his time with the Yankees, he had 134 wins and 88 losses.

Sabathia was not on the Yankees' roster for the first round of the 2019 playoffs. However, he was added for the ALCS against the Houston Astros as a reliever. He pitched in Game 4 but had to leave due to a shoulder injury. This meant he could not pitch in the World Series if the Yankees advanced. Sabathia said his exit was "kind of fitting" because he pitched "until I couldn't anymore."

On October 21, 2019, Sabathia officially announced his retirement. He thanked his family, teammates, and fans. He said he was proud of his career and that baseball had always been his home. He ended his 11 years with the Yankees with 134 wins and 88 losses.

After Baseball

On April 6, 2022, Major League Baseball hired Sabathia. He now works as a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred.

Awards and Highlights

• 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 recipient (2007–2009)
• 2× MLB wins leader (2009, 2010)
• 2× AL shutouts leader (2006, 2008)
• NL shutouts leader (2008)
• 3,000 strikeout club

Player Profile

Sabathia pitching in September 2016

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 Major League players in career wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts. From 2005 to 2012, Sabathia was the pitcher with the most wins in Major League Baseball. He had a record of 137 wins and 67 losses. He also had a 3.24 ERA and struck out 1,614 batters. He was one of the most dominant pitchers between 2000 and 2020. He had more wins, games started, innings pitched, and strikeouts than any other pitcher during that time.

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 times at bat, which is a .207 batting average. On June 21, 2008, Sabathia hit a 440-foot home run. On July 13, 2008, he hit his second home run of the season. He became only the third pitcher in history to hit a home run in both the American League and National League in the same season.

Sabathia was known for pitching many effective innings each season. People often called him a "workhorse." He averaged over 200 innings pitched per season in his career. He reached this mark eight times, including seven years in a row from 2007 to 2013.

Personal Life

Sabathia with his wife in 2019

Sabathia and his wife, Amber, have four children. Their names are Carsten Charles III, Jaeden Arie, Cyia, and Carter. The family used to live in Fairfield, California, near his hometown of Vallejo. When he signed with the Yankees, they moved to Alpine, New Jersey. Sabathia still cares about his hometown. In 2012, Vallejo High School honored him by renaming their baseball field after him. Sabathia's PitCCh In Foundation helped to fix up the field. The PitCCh In Foundation is a charity that helps children in cities.

In December 2018, Sabathia had a health issue with his heart. He had a procedure to open a blocked artery. After this, he started a big exercise and diet program. He lost 60 pounds from his highest weight.

In 2021, Sabathia's first team, the Cleveland Indians, honored him. They named a baseball field in Cleveland after him: "CC Sabathia Field at Luke Easter Park."

Images for kids

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  Sabathia with the New York Yankees in 2016

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  Sabathia with the Indians in 2006

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  Sabathia with the Indians in 2007, his Cy Young year

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  CC Sabathia in 2009

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  Sabathia pitching in Game 5 of the 2012 AL Division Series

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  Sabathia in July 2014 during a minor-league rehabilitation appearance

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  Sabathia pitching in September 2016

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  Sabathia in 2017

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  Sabathia in July 2018

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  Sabathia with his wife in 2019