The past six years of Yankees history have been marked by retiring legends. That continues this October when C.C. Sabathia joins Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez as the next man to forever hang up that pinstripe jersey.
After making his Major League debut in Cleveland in 2001, Sabathia, his once-unstoppable fastball, and large frame have become synonymous with New York. And the lefty just pitched his final regular season start at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night, leaving with a tip of his cap to the crowd giving him a nice ovation.
Recording his 3,000th strikeout this season and being a major force behind the Yanks' last World Series-winning season are undoubtedly career highlights, but there's almost too many moments to list from his Hall of Fame-worthy resume.
That's probably why many of his teammates, friends, and fellow celebrities struggled to pin down just one specific favorite Sabathia moment when they were asked to at the LegaCCy Gala at the Hudson Yards. Hosted by his PitCCh In Foundation, the black-tie event was held to honor the soon-to-be retiree's legacy.
Before the fete commenced, a few of those who know Sabathia the best talked about their favorite moments from the legend...
LHP Zack Britton
"I would say the 2012 ALDS when I with Baltimore and we played [the Yankees]. I think he threw two complete games in Game 1 and Game 5. That would probably be my highlight of watching him."
Auctioneer Gabriel Zutu
"I was in Seattle for Robinson Cano's charity and CC wasn't directly involved, but there was a table with CC, JAY-Z, A-Rod. There was a selfie on offer with Robbie and A-Rod that went for $200,000. A-Rod bought it; CC provided the assist."
Former Knicks F Amar'e Stoudemire
"I wasn't there for the game, but when he got to 3,000, that was big. Three thousand strikeouts was massive."
RHP Dellin Betances
"It's just his advice being a veteran in the game. He's played this game for a long time, so a lot of the younger guys look up to him…. [My favorite advice] is just being myself and believing in the stuff that's gotten me here to where I'm at. That's something that he always preaches."
RHP Luis Cessa
"Last year, he won a game in Tampa and somebody tried to hit [Yankees catcher] Austin Romine. He hit right back that one guy in Tampa. He made a good moment for us in that game. We came back and he pitched a really good game."