CC Sabathia Immortalized in Yankees Monument Park

Legendary pitcher's number retired, joining elite group of Yankees greats

Mar. 2, 2026 at 2:07pm

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The New York Yankees will retire CC Sabathia's number 52, making him the 23rd player to be honored in the team's prestigious Monument Park. Sabathia, a three-time All-Star and Cy Young Award winner, spent 11 seasons with the Yankees, winning a World Series title in 2009. He called the honor of having his number retired more shocking than his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, as he never imagined reaching such an exclusive club when he first joined the team as a free agent.

Why it matters

Sabathia's number retirement cements his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in Yankees history, joining the ranks of other franchise icons like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle. This honor recognizes his sustained excellence over a decade with the team, his leadership as a teammate, and his willingness to leave it all on the field every time he took the mound, even playing through significant injuries.

The details

Sabathia agreed to a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yankees as a free agent prior to the 2009 season. He went on to win a World Series title that year, leading a rotation that also featured A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte. Over 307 starts with the Yankees, Sabathia posted a 3.81 ERA with 1,700 strikeouts, surpassing the 3,000 career strikeout milestone. He was a three-time All-Star and won the American League Cy Young Award in 2007 with the then-Cleveland Indians.

  • Sabathia will have his number 52 retired by the Yankees on September 26, 2026.
  • Sabathia was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.

The players

CC Sabathia

A 20-year MLB veteran who spent 11 seasons with the New York Yankees, winning a World Series title in 2009. He is a three-time All-Star, Cy Young Award winner, and will become the 23rd player to have his number retired by the Yankees.

Hal Steinbrenner

The current owner of the New York Yankees, who called Sabathia to inform him that the team would be retiring his number 52.

Brian Cashman

The general manager of the New York Yankees who convinced Sabathia to sign with the team as a free agent prior to the 2009 season.

Andy Pettitte

A former Yankees pitcher who, like Sabathia, has his number retired and is honored in Monument Park.

Aaron Judge

The current Yankees superstar who, like Sabathia, has faced high expectations and accountability from the team's passionate fanbase.

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What they’re saying

“I just keep thinking about what a complete honor it is, and how excited I am to actually have my number retired by, probably, one of the best sports franchises in the world.”

— CC Sabathia

“Even sitting back and thinking about how Cash [GM Brian Cashman] convinced me to come here, I never even gave myself room to think about ending up in Monument Park, or how it would end.”

— CC Sabathia

“I loved every moment of my time in the Bronx, and the energy that everybody brought. The days that I started, I would drive through the Bronx. I would drive down Jermone Ave., windows down, blasting my music just to kinda get a feel for the people and the energy and get ready for what I'm about to do.”

— CC Sabathia

What’s next

The Yankees will hold a special ceremony to retire Sabathia's number 52 and induct him into Monument Park on September 26, 2026.

The takeaway

Sabathia's number retirement is a testament to his excellence, dedication, and impact on the Yankees franchise over his 11-year career in New York. His willingness to leave it all on the field and be a true teammate endeared him to the passionate Bronx fanbase, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in Yankees history.