VIDEO: CC Sabathia Delivers Emotional 1st Pitch to His Mother in Yankees' Regular Season Home Finale
By Jerry Trotta
CC Sabathia is set to retire upon the conclusion of the New York Yankees' 2019 campaign, and Sunday marked the final time the six-time All-Star would suit up for a regular season home game at the Stadium. The pregame festivities featured a touching tribute in Sabathia's honor and it was all capped off with the 39-year-old vet tossing out the first pitch to his mother in a heartwarming moment.
CC throws out the first pitch to his mom. ? #LegaCCy pic.twitter.com/49SgnuH7DP
— MLB (@MLB) September 22, 2019
Of course, Sabathia's mother strapped on the catchers' gear growing up to help teach him the game of baseball, so this was only fitting.
One thing is for certain, and that is the game of baseball is going to miss the former Cy Young.
Of course, CC was an imposing servant for the Pinstripes, logging a 3.81 ERA across 306 appearances for the club, which included 19 postseason cameos. And who could forget the role he played during the Yanks' 2009 World Series run? In sum, he will always be remembered for the unmitigated gamesmanship he displayed on the mound across the last 11 seasons.
.@CC_Sabathia: "When I showed up, I didn’t plan on playing this long. I’m from Vallejo; from the inner city, from the 'hood. Just making it was a big deal. I never thought past that first year. To be able to play this long is a blessing."
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) September 22, 2019
More importantly, however, is the sheer positive impact he personified in New York's clubhouse. Next up for Sabathia is a presumed role out of the bullpen during the Yanks' quest to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy for a record 28th time.