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Yankees: Inside the Numbers, the Hall of Fame case for CC Sabathia

By Jon Butensky

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 30: Starting pitcher CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees walks off the field after being removed during the sixth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 30, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 30: Starting pitcher CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees walks off the field after being removed during the sixth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 30, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Mike Mussina #35 of the New York Yankees pitches to the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2006 in Bronx, New York. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

As stated earlier, Sabathia is only the 17th pitcher to reach the 3,000 strikeout plateau. That accomplishment alone puts the lefty in great company, as 14 of the 16 pitchers in front of him on this prestigious list are in the Hall of Fame.

Sabathia also currently owns 248 career wins after picking up his second of the season Monday night over the Mariners. We can assume that he will reach 250 wins at some point this season. If so, CC would only become the 14th pitcher in Major League history to win 250 games and record 3,000 strikeouts. All 13 members on this list are in Cooperstown.

In regards to comparing Sabathia’s numbers to Hall of Famers, this is where our argument gets a little dicey. At the moment, these are where his significant career numbers stand in Major League history (again, these numbers are expected to change):

  • 248 wins: Tied for 47th all-time (38 Hall of Fame pitchers are ahead of Sabathia)
  • 3.69 ERA: 594th all-time (76 Hall of Famers are ahead of Sabathia)
  • 117 ERA+: Tied for 166th all-time (55 Hall of Famers are ahead of Sabathia)
  • 1.2529 WHIP: 307th all-time, (58 Hall of Famers are ahead of Sabathia)
  • 62.7 pitching WAR: 47th all-time (39 Hall of Fame pitchers are ahead of Sabathia)
  • 542 GS: 33rd all-time (22 Hall of Famer pitchers are ahead of Sabathia)
  • 3,490.1 IP: 72nd all-time (43 Hall of Famers ahead of Sabathia)

Some of Sabathia’s numbers are hit and miss. Wins, although enjoyable for a pitcher, are starting to become irrelevant for today’s writers. His 542 games started and 3,490.1 innings pitched have proven his year-to-year durability. The lefty’s 62.7 pitching WAR is very impressive as well.

One point of concern is Sabathia’s high ERA. However, look how Sabathia stacks up against former Yankee Mike Mussina (who will enter Cooperstown this summer) in both ERA and ERA+:

Mussina: 3.68 ERA, 123 ERA+

Sabathia: 3.69 ERA, 117 ERA+

Both have practically identical ERA’s and similar ERA+’s, which is definitely reassuring for Yankees fans or just those who have enjoyed Sabathia throughout his career.

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