Sabathia says he’ll let others worry about his Hall credentials

TAMPA — CC Sabathia has the finish line in sight. The 38-year-old lefthander officially announced that the 2019 season will be his last. A nagging knee issue, a scare with his heart this winter, and his growing children — who he wants to be around more — have convinced him that “this is it.”

With his wife and three of his four children flanking him Saturday, Sabathia thanked the Steinbrenner family, represented by Jennifer Steinbrenner-Swindal and Hal Steinbrenner, and GM Brian Cashman and his teammates.

Then he challenged them to get to the finish line with him.

“I look forward to 2019 being a championship season for us, me going out and giving everything I have and leaving it all out on the field,” Sabathia said.

Another World Series ring would be a nice topper for what has already been a remarkable 18-year career. It could also put him over the top when it comes time to consider him for the Hall of Fame.

As it stands now, Sabathia's resume is impressive as a workhorse who had to reinvent himself from a power pitcher into a crafty, pinpoint pitcher to extend his career.

A six-time All-Star, Sabathia won the Cy Young in 2007 with the Indians. He won the 2009 World Series with the Yankees and was the American League Championship Series MVP to get them there.

Right now, he would be considered a borderline Hall of Famer. As his former teammate and current manager, Aaron Boone, was careful to point out: it ain't over.

“There is no question, he is still a really good pitcher,” Boone said Saturday after Sabathia's announcement. “Ultimately, that's why we brought him back. He's still a very good pitcher, he's going to play an important role if we are going to climb to the top.”

Sabathia heads into the 2019 season with 2,986 career strikeouts and will likely become just the 17th pitcher to strike out over 3,000 hitters early this year. He will be just the third lefty to cross the mark.

Of the 16 pitchers who have crossed that 3,000 mark (smaller than those in the 3,000-hit, the 500-home run or 300-win groups) just two have not been elected to the Hall of Fame. That would be Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling, who will have to overcome controversy to gain the votes needed to enter the Hall.

He currently ranks 17th on baseball's alltime strikeout list, trailing John Smoltz (3,084) by 98. He has the third most strikeouts by a left-hander in history, behind Randy Johnson (4,875 and Steve Carlton (4,136).

“I think he's a Hall of Famer. I think the years of dominance, the years of being completely relevant, again 18 years in and still a really good pitcher in this league,” Boone said. “To have racked up the numbers he has, yeah, I think he's a Hall of Famer and I think he's going to get in.”

Boone and other Yankees are certainly a little biased, because they admire the person. GM Brian Cashman gave him the ultimate compliment when he said that Sabathia lived up to that original five-year, $122 million deal and the years since.

“You place those significant bets in free agency . ... well I think CC has done everything and anything he possibly could to in terms of leadership and performance to honor that bet,” Cashman said.

Ultimately, that's the legacy Sabathia hopes to leave behind: good teammate, good leader and good player. The Hall of Fame isn't his concern.

“I haven't put that much thought into it just because I don't have a vote and can't do anything about it,” Sabathia said. “Being able to have those numbers attached to your name means a lot to me. I never played the game for individual accomplishments, 3,000 strikeouts or anything like that. To have those numbers compiled just means I was on good teams, around good players and was lucky enough to have some good catchers calling some good games for me.

“It will be fun to look back on that stuff,” Sabathia said. “But right now just focused on trying to win championships and having a parade at the end of the year.”