Former Yankee CC Sabathia one of the few Old-Timers who would like to play in a three-inning game
The Yankees’ CC Sabathia looks on from the dugout during Old-Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
As one of the youngest guests at Yankees Old-Timers’ Day, CC Sabathia still looked as if he could throw a few innings.
Perhaps it’s why, unlike most of his former teammates, he was the most prominent ex-Yankee who wished an Old-Timers’ Game still was part of Saturday's program at Yankee Stadium.
“Absolutely,” Sabathia, 44, said with a smile. “I’m still [upset] we’re not playing, yeah. My cutter is ready. It's ready for these guys.”
The Yankees haven’t had an Old-Timers' Game since 2019 — first because of the pandemic and then because fewer and fewer retired players wanted to play — replacing it with a Q&A session that began last season and was hosted Saturday by radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman and 2009 manager (and current YES analyst) Joe Girardi.
This year featured Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez among the players who made their first Old-Timers’ appearance to celebrate the 2009 World Series champions.
Although Sabathia’s competitive side returned as he thought about playing a game, his body said otherwise. He's slimmed down from his playing days, but the left arm that carried him to 251 career wins and 3,093 strikeouts now is limited to playing catch and throwing batting practice to his 14-year-old son.
“My shoulder’s done,” Sabathia said. “I have that completely reconstructed shoulder. It's just good for catch and golf.”
Derek Jeter, 50, who retired after the 2014 season, reaffirmed that he wouldn’t play if a three-inning game returned.
“They’re not gonna see me hit again. I’d be afraid I would hurt myself,” he said. “But that’s not saying that the reason there is no game is because I’m not playing.”
Jorge Posada, who retired after the 2011 season, chalked up his reluctance to play to the pain of age. He also noted that isn't a problem for Sabathia.
“I’m 54,” Posada said. “I get out of bed, I’m like, what happened? What did I do wrong?
"CC’s a lot younger . . .and he looks in better shape than when he was pitching. So I'm pretty sure he can still do it, but it's hard, man.”
Sabathia proposed a softball game to spare some of the older players. He appreciated the festivities as an honored guest after witnessing it as a visiting player with Cleveland and during his playing career with the Yankees.t
“I got to come to Old-Timers' Day two times and watch and just see, like, some of these old guys and you know how proud they are to put the pinstripes on,” Sabathia said. "It’s really cool and now to be a part of it, it’s awesome.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
