Yankees to Honor CC Sabathia with Number Retirement and Monument Park Plaque
The New York Yankees have announced that legendary pitcher CC Sabathia will be honored with the retirement of his iconic No. 52 and the dedication of a plaque in Monument Park.
The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, prior to the Yankees’ 7:05 p.m. game against Baltimore at Yankee Stadium. Fans can purchase tickets at Yankees.com.
Sabathia becomes the 24th player or manager in franchise history to have his number retired, and the first since Paul O’Neill in 2022. He joins a legendary group of former teammates whose numbers are also retired, including Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera.
CC Sabathia’s Yankees Career and Legacy
Sabathia signed with the Yankees as a free agent on December 18, 2008, and made an immediate impact. In his first season (2009), he went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA, helping lead the Yankees to a World Series championship.
During that postseason, Sabathia dominated on the mound, going 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in the ALCS against the Los Angeles Angels, earning ALCS MVP honors.
From 2009–2012, Sabathia was one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers, compiling a 74-29 record (.718) with a 3.22 ERA across 129 starts. He earned three consecutive All-Star selections (2010–2012) and ranked among MLB leaders in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts during that stretch.
Over his 11 seasons in pinstripes (2009–2019), the left-hander posted a 134-88 record with a 3.81 ERA and 1,700 strikeouts in 307 appearances. In Yankees history, he ranks:
- 4th in strikeouts
- 7th in starts
- 10th in wins
- 11th in innings pitched
Sabathia also made six consecutive Opening Day starts (2009–2014), joining franchise legends like Lefty Gomez in that distinction.
Postseason Success and Hall of Fame Career
In the postseason with the Yankees, Sabathia went 8-4 with a 3.42 ERA across 21 appearances. At Yankee Stadium, he was even more dominant, posting a 2.17 ERA in home playoff games.
He also enjoyed one of the longest undefeated postseason stretches in franchise history, going unbeaten across eight consecutive playoff starts—alongside Yankees greats like Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Orlando Hernández, and David Cone.
Sabathia’s excellence extended beyond the Bronx. Over a 19-year MLB career with Cleveland, Milwaukee, and the Yankees, he compiled a 251-161 record with 3,093 strikeouts, becoming one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025 and is one of only four left-handers to reach the 3,000-strikeout milestone, joining Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton, and Clayton Kershaw.
Impact Beyond Baseball
Known as a respected clubhouse leader, Sabathia also made a lasting impact off the field. In 2008, he and his wife Amber founded the PitCCh In Foundation, which supports inner-city youth through education, mentorship, and sports programs.
From scholarship opportunities to community outreach initiatives, Sabathia’s legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments on the mound.
Source:
Michael Margolis
Senior Director
Communications & Media Relations
New York Yankees
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
