The hallowed halls of Cooperstown are preparing to welcome two iconic Yankees legends, CC Sabathia and Ichiro Suzuki, as the latest inductees into the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s National Baseball Hall of Fame. This monumental honor cements their legacies not only as some of the greatest players of their generation but also as key contributors to the storied history of the New York Yankees.
CC Sabathia: The Ace of the Bronx
Carsten Charles “CC” Sabathia has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, securing 86.8% of the vote. A formidable left-handed pitcher, Sabathia’s illustrious 19-year Major League Baseball career includes 251 wins and 3,093 strikeouts. He began his professional journey with the Cleveland Indians, earning the American League Cy Young Award in 2007. In 2008, he had a notable stint with the Milwaukee Brewers. He went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts for Milwaukee down the stretch in ’08, including seven complete games, three shutouts and a near no-hitter, lifting the Brewers to their first postseason appearance since the 1982 World Series. That offseason, Sabathia signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the New York Yankees, which was the largest ever for a pitcher at the time. With the Yankees, he led MLB in wins in 2009 and 2010, secured a World Series championship in 2009, and was named the 2009 ALCS Most Valuable Player. Throughout his career, Sabathia was a six-time All-Star and won the Warren Spahn Award three consecutive years (2007–09). Despite mid-career challenges, including knee injuries and addressing alcoholism, he reinvented himself as a control pitcher, achieving his 3,000th strikeout on April 30, 2019, becoming the 17th pitcher in MLB history to reach this milestone. Sabathia retired after the 2019 season, leading all active players in career wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts at that time. His induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to his remarkable contributions to baseball.
CC Sabathia’s former Yankees teammates react
A warm welcome to the @baseballhall from Derek Jeter to @CC_Sabathia: pic.twitter.com/ptZbz1sGtk
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 22, 2025
Teammate Andy Pettitte on fellow southpaw @CC_Sabathia: pic.twitter.com/8nIHz0qn2X
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 22, 2025
Ichiro Suzuki: The Hit Machine
Ichiro Suzuki has become the first Japanese-born player to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, securing 99.7% of the vote. This means just one voter did not vote in favor of Ichiro Suzuki. He joins just one other player to miss the unanimous vote by one: his former teammate and Yankees’ Captain Derek Jeter. Ichiro’s journey to the Hall of Fame is a testament to his unparalleled work ethic and global impact on the game of baseball. Arriving in the Major Leagues in 2001 after a stellar career in Japan, Ichiro immediately took the league by storm, winning both the American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in his debut season with the Seattle Mariners. Suzuki came to Major League Baseball from Japan as a 27-year-old and joined Fred Lynn in 1975 as the only players to win AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP in the same season. He was a two-time AL batting champion and 10-time All-Star and Gold Glove outfielder, hitting .311 with 117 homers, 780 RBIs and 509 stolen bases with Seattle (2001-12, 2018-19), the New York Yankees (2012-14) and Miami (2015-17). During his Yankees tenure (2012-2014), Ichiro delivered memorable moments, including clutch hits and highlight-reel defensive plays in right field. His ability to rack up hits—finishing his MLB career with 3,089—and his unique style of play captivated fans and teammates alike. Combined with his 1,278 hits in Japan, Ichiro’s 4,367 professional hits stand as a record that underscores his unparalleled mastery of the art of hitting.
In addition to his induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Ichiro was inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame in 2022, and just last week, on January 16, 2025, Suzuki was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He appeared on 323 of the 349 valid ballots submitted, becoming the sixth overall highest vote percentage in the Hall’s history at 92.6%.
Ichiro Suzuki’s former Yankees teammates react
High praise from former teammate Derek Jeter: pic.twitter.com/7hwt5jNO9C
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 22, 2025
A Legacy of Excellence
The dual induction of Ichiro and Sabathia highlights their shared values of dedication, professionalism, and love for the game. While Ichiro’s precision and artistry at the plate inspired awe, Sabathia’s power and passion on the mound commanded respect. Together, they embody the essence of what it means to be a Yankee.
This year’s induction ceremony is set to take place on July 27, 2025 in Cooperstown.
As Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia take their rightful place among the legends of the game, their stories will continue to inspire future generations of players and fans. Cooperstown awaits, and the Yankees’ legacy grows richer with their enshrinement.
