Alex Rodriguez may never make it to Cooperstown, but the former New York Yankees third baseman is sure CC Sabathia doesn’t share his fate.
New York Yankees lefty CC Sabathia isn’t retiring until after the 2019 season, but he already has at least one Hall of Fame vote. It’s only a vote of confidence from former teammate Alex Rodriguez, though, so it doesn’t really count.
During an interview with the New York Post’s Steve Serby, Rodriguez fielded a question on Sabathia’s HOF qualifications. A-Rod wasn’t shy about his feelings on the subject:
“No doubt. CC’s one of the most respected, loved guy that I’ve ever played with. He’s like my little brother … big brother (laugh). I think without a question he’s a Hall of Famer. What he did in New York for us in ’09, what he did for Milwaukee down the stretch [in 2008], what he did for Cleveland [2001-08], he is truly underrated. I’ve never seen a player be more selfless and more liked and respected than CC.”
Ostensible fat joke aside, A-Rod makes a pretty convincing case for Sabathia to join the greats in Cooperstown.
Over his 19-year career, Sabathia has racked up 251 wins to go along with a 3.71 ERA. The hefty southpaw has also amassed 3,057 strikeouts, which is good for 17th on the all-time list.
The 38-year-old only needs another 28 Ks to pass John Smoltz for 16th place; another 61 would catapult him past Curt Schilling and Bob Gibson to claim the 14th slot.
A-Rod isn’t alone in thinking CC has an easy path into the Hall.
“I think it’s a lock,” Bombers manager Aaron Boone recently told NJ.com’s Brendan Kuty, referencing CC’s Cooperstown chances. “This is it for him. I think, five years, they come calling.”
Indeed, you’ll have to wait until 2025 to see whether Sabathia makes it in on the first ballot. In the meantime, the next Yankee up for Cooperstown evaluation is Derek Jeter in 2020.
