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

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Yankees starter CC Sabathia collected his 3,000th career strikeout in a 3-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks last Tuesday. With his family in attendance, it was a bittersweet moment for the Sabathia family and the Yankees organization. However, does this accolade solidify Sabathia into Cooperstown?

When Sabathia struck out former Yankees’ catcher John Ryan Murphy for his 3,000th strikeout, the lefty became only the 17th Major League pitcher to ever accomplish this feat. Additionally, Sabathia is now only one of three left-handers to reach this milestone (Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson).

If you had asked me before writing this piece if Sabathia was a Hall of Famer, I would have said no-doubt. I wouldn’t have even hesitated. He has excellent overall numbers and many personal achievements with the Indians, Brewers, and Yankees. Heck, I even thought he was a first-ballot caliber player.

Some of the Vallejo, CA native’s personal achievements and hardware include:

248-154 (.616 %) , 542 G (all starts), 3,490.1 IP, 3,002 K, 3.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 117 ERA+
62.7 career pitching WAR
6x All-Star (’03-’04, ’07, ’10-’12)
2007 American League Cy Young Award winner (four other years in the Top 5)
2009 ALCS MVP
2009 World Series Champion

The numbers alone radiate “future Hall of Famer.” Since this will be his last year in the Majors, the 38-year old Sabathia will be first eligible for Cooperstown in 2025. But after doing some research, I was astonished to discover that although Sabathia has had a phenomenal 19-year career — especially during his peak years from 2006-2012– his overall numbers don’t compare quite as well to pitchers already in the Hall of Fame as you may think.

Before we continue, I want to make sure my point is getting across: I think Sabathia is a Hall of Famer. My argument, however, is that it won’t be as easy to get inducted as expected.

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.

NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Starting pitcher CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees gets a standing ovation from the crowd after being pulled out of the game in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins in Game One of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 7, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /

Sabathia was at his best during his 2006-2012 seasons. He spent 2006-07, and the first half of 2008 with the Cleveland Indians, the second half of 2008 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and 2009-2012 with the Yankees.

During that time span, these were Sabathia’s overall numbers and where it stands among Major League starting pitchers during this time frame:

122 wins: Second only behind Justin Verlander (124 W)
.682 W-L %: Second only behind Brandon Webb (.691 %)
3.14 ERA: Ninth-best during the time frame
140 ERA+: Tied for second best in Majors with Roy Halladay (Webb was first with a 147 ERA+)
38.4 pitching WAR: Second only behind Halladay (40.1 WAR)
226 GS: Fifth only behind Dan Haren (233 GS), Bronson Arroyo (233 GS), Verlander (230 GS), and Matt Cain (228 GS)
1,591.2 IP: Best in Major League Baseball (Halladay was second with 1,571.0 IP)
1,453 K: Best in Major League Baseball (Verlander was second with 1,447 K)
10 SO: Third only behind Halladay (12) and Cliff Lee (11)
29 CG: Second only behind Halladay (46)

Even I was surprised when I found out this information, he was absolutely dynamite in his prime. You can make a legitimate argument that CC was the best starting pitcher in baseball during this time frame (Halladay and Verlander can certainly give him a run for his money too).

Sabathia’s prime years are what really lifted him from being a great pitcher to a lights-out ace every fifth day. When fans think of vintage CC, it was no question during this time span.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 30: Pitcher CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees waves to the crowd after recording his 3,000th career strike out against John Ryan Murphy (not pictured) of the Arizona Diamondbacks during second inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 30, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Sabathia’s prime years are the main reason why he belongs with some elite company. You also have to give the 38-year old credit for reinventing himself later in his career. He should and will be a Hall of Famer, but I think it will take a few years before he eventually gets inducted. It’s simply not going to be a one-and-done like Mariano Rivera this year and Derek Jeter in 2020.

When Sabathia gets inducted, it will certainly bring up a difficult subject among writers and historians. CC doesn’t belong on the same pedestal as legends like Nolan Ryan, Walter Johnson, Cy Young, Greg Maddux, and so forth.