CC Sabathia's Yankees Number Retired, Joining Monument Park

Legendary pitcher reflects on 'shock' of joining elite group of Yankees greats

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Former New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia will have his number 52 retired by the team later this year, joining the exclusive club of players immortalized in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. Sabathia, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025, expressed his surprise and honor at being recognized by the storied franchise he played for over 11 seasons, including winning a World Series title in 2009.

Why it matters

Retiring a player's number and enshrining them in Monument Park is one of the highest honors the Yankees can bestow, reserved only for the franchise's all-time greats. Sabathia's induction is a testament to his dominant pitching performances and leadership during his time in pinstripes, where he helped the team win a championship and cement his legacy as one of the best left-handed pitchers of his era.

The details

Sabathia, a three-time All-Star and 2007 American League Cy Young Award winner, signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yankees as a free agent in 2009. He went on to spend 11 seasons with the team, compiling a 3.81 ERA over 307 starts (1,918 innings) with 1,700 strikeouts. Sabathia's durability and competitiveness made him a stalwart of the Yankees' rotation, and he played a key role in the team's 2009 World Series championship.

  • 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 former MLB pitcher who spent 11 seasons with the New York Yankees, winning a World Series title in 2009 and being named a three-time All-Star.

Hal Steinbrenner

The current owner of the New York Yankees.

Brian Cashman

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

Andy Pettitte

A former Yankees pitcher who is also enshrined in Monument Park.

A.J. Burnett

A former Yankees pitcher who joined the team as a free agent alongside Sabathia in 2009.

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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 (Fox News Digital)

“To be able to actually have that come to fruition after 11 years and see that my number is going to be there and be retired, it's more of a shock than going into the Hall of Fame, to be honest.”

— CC Sabathia (Fox News Digital)

“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 (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

Sabathia's induction into Monument Park cements his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in Yankees history, a fierce competitor who left everything on the mound and embodied the grit and determination that defines the Bronx Bombers' brand. His number retirement is a fitting honor for a player who helped bring a championship back to the Bronx and inspired a generation of fans with his passion for the game.