CC Sabathia On Being Inducted Into Baseball Hall Of Fame With Ex-Yankees Teammate Ichiro Suzuki: ‘Everything Comes Full Circle’

CC Sabathia was one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation.

The 6-foot-7, 300-pound left-handed pitcher was a thorn for batters across nearly two decades, using a commanding fastball along with an arsenal of off-speed pitches such as his sinker and slider to get the better end of batters.

Sabathia made a name for himself with the Cleveland Indians early on in his career, winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2007, and leading the franchise to an ALCS appearance.

However, it was with the New York Yankees where he cemented his all-time great status. Sabathia lived up to the expectations after signing the largest contract in MLB history for a pitcher at the time (seven years, $161 million). He not only led the majors in wins during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, he was the ace as the Yankees won their last World Series in 2009.

While Sabathia is often overlooked by fans when it comes to discussing the greatest pitchers of all time, he’s thankfully not overlooked by the media and the Baseball Hall of Fame. That’s because the 44-year-old – in his first year of eligibility – is being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

He’ll be going in with his former Yankees teammate – and the guy who beat him out for the AL Rookie of the Year in 2001 – Ichiro Suzuki.

“Having a chance to play with Ichiro, we came into the league together, we were rookies in 2001 and finished one-two in the Rookie of the Year voting,” says Sabathia. “To have a chance to play together for three years, we had some battles. Even when he was in Seattle, it was always a good battle facing him. I’m super, super excited to be able to go in Ichiro, we had a great conversation up there in January.

“I just think it’s one of those baseball things, everything comes full circle,” Sabathia continues. “It always kind of ties back in. It’s really fun to be able to have him to go in and Dave Parker.”

Sabathia and Suzuki will enter the Baseball Hall of Fame alongside Billy Wagner and Dave Parker. Parker was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Classic Baseball Committee and was a player that Sabathia – a California native – looked up to as the former NL MVP starred for the Oakland Athletics and California Angels, winning the World Series with Oakland in 1989.

Parker sadly passed away in June due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease just a month prior to his induction into Cooperstown.

“Dave Parker played on those mid-to-late 80’s Oakland teams when I was a kid, and he was my dad’s favorite,” says Sabathia of Parker. “One of the guys that I always looked up to. It’s unfortunate that he won’t be able to be there with us.”

CC Sabathia On Pitchers He Molded His Game After: ‘Nobody’

Sabathia – who was the first pitcher to debut in the 21st century and win 250 games – says there wasn’t really anyone he looked up to or molded his pitching career after because nobody was like him. When you think of 6-foot-7, 300-pound pitchers with a left-handed pitching arsenal, Sabathia is in a class of one.

“Nobody,” says Sabathia when asked if he molded his game after anyone. “There was nobody. I looked up to Dave Stewart, he looked like me, so I could see him out on the field. I always knew that there was nobody like me, and I felt like that’s what made me myself, that’s what made me unique.”

The dominant left-handed pitcher says he actually always had the mindset that he was an “athlete” and trained as if he was an offensive tackle. That actually makes sense considering Sabathia’s build is very similar to that of most offensive tackles you see in football, rather than anyone you’ll see on the baseball diamond.

“I always felt like I was an athlete, like I was a football player, playing baseball,” says Sabathia. “I once had this strength coach named Tim Maxie. He told me to train, like an offensive lineman – think of yourself like an offensive tackle. Once he told me that, I feel like my career just took off at once. I embraced being my size and who I am. I’ve always loved that part of myself. Being one of one was something that I’ve always felt like I knew I was.”

The former Cy Young winner once again hammers home how “excited” he is to be a part of this Hall of Fame class.

“I am just super excited that I am a part of this class,” says Sabathia.

CC Sabathia On Post-Baseball Playing Career and Teaming With Mastercard

Sabathia has been keeping busy during his post-playing career, serving as an MLB and Mastercard ambassador. He actually made some headlines during 2025 MLB All-Star week for winning the MVP award at the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game. Mastercard has been partnered with MLB since 1997 and Sabathia is active every year during All-Star Game week, helping promote small businesses.

“I’ve been an ambassador now for four years, and it’s just been a great partnership,” says Sabathia. “Started off with the priceless moments, small business campaigns. Being able to have a chance to partner with Mastercard for me – especially with the Stand Up To Cancer campaign – I think everything that they do with me in baseball has been awesome.”

Anne Valentzas, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sponsorship for Mastercard, details Sabathia’s role with the company.

“He’s a fantastic ambassador, another really genuine individual,” says Valentzas. “We look for ways to connect with fans through their passions. He’s one of these ambassadors who’s really good with the fans, who really wants to give back. We’ve worked with him in many, many different ways. He’s done fan experiences with us. He’s also worked with our B-to-B partners. He’s come into customer events and interacted with our customers.”

Valentzas further details why Sabathia is the “perfect” ambassador for Mastercard as the company looks to continue to connect with consumers through “passion and purpose.”

“He’s larger than life, he’s very warm,” says Valentzas. “He’s warm, but he’s very approachable. He wants to give back to the fans. He wants to engage with them. He’s generous. I would say he’s very generous with his time, with his commitment, with hhis passion. That’s really where fans feel that connection, and that’s what feels priceless.”

Mastercard unveiled their partnership with the Jonas Brothers during the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, which is to help promote their “Stand Up To Cancer” campaign. The campaign is created to shine a light on perserverence and support as people stand up and support those they love.

“I lost my father to cancer in 2003, so it’s something very near and dear to me and my family’s heart,” says Sabathia of why the campaign means a lot to him. “It’s just a message that’s a great partnership with baseball, something that affects a lot of families.”