Yankees sure seem to be hinting at CC Sabathia number retirement with latest post

Initially, New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia was projected to have a difficult time getting over the hump into Cooperstown. A Hall of Famer? Absolutely; 3,000 strikeouts, 251 wins, a World Series in the Bronx, and an undeniable Brewers run. First ballot? Hmm ... several stick-in-the-mud voters would have to change their tunes quickly in order for that to happen.

And yet, lo and behold, Sabathia not only gained election in his first opportunity, but sailed into the halls of Cooperstown. He finished with 86.8% of the vote, blowing past the 75% threshold required for election. 342 of 394 total voters came around quickly on Sabathia, making 2025 a very special season for No. 52.

The Yankees seem to agree with that notion. After Sabathia's election, it seemed like destiny that the team would honor their most prominent recent alumni this season. Their post on Monday night — seemingly out of the blue — all but confirmed it.

And, given the prominence of the number in the post and hashtag — 52 in 25, we see you — it seems logical that the Yankees plan to take the already-unofficially-retired number officially out of service and stashed in Monument Park this summer.

Yankees hint at plans to retire CC Sabathia's number 52 in Monument Park

It stands to reason that a larger-than-life figure like Sabathia would see an unorthodox jersey number like 52 as an invitation to make it his own rather than an impediment to creating his legacy.

Sorry, LegaCCy.

From Cleveland to Milwaukee to the Bronx — a place he never expected to land, but found himself won over by — Sabathia proudly wore No. 52, which simply wouldn't look right on anyone else's pinstriped shoulders. And, speaking of "looking right" ... the gold-tinged patch the Yankees seem to be teasing here, too, will look incredible as a side patch on a hat and a sleeve adornment on a jersey.

Stay tuned for future Sabathia-related plans in the Yankees' full promotional schedule, an announcement that seems inevitable in the coming days after Monday night's teaser. Although, I guess ... if he makes the comeback he was teasing after Gerrit Cole's injury, then everything resets?