Former Major League Baseball pitcher CC Sabathia is set to receive a monumental honour this autumn, as the New York Yankees have announced that they will retire his number 52 during a ceremony on September 26, 2025. This event will coincide with a match against the Baltimore Orioles at Monument Park, marking a significant tribute to a player who made a lasting impact during his time with the team.
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Sabathia’s number retirement comes just a year after he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, an achievement he recalls as “surreal.” The 45-year-old veteran feels that the imminent honour of having his number retired surpasses even his Hall of Fame induction. “New York is such a tough place to play. It’s so hard to get your number retired there,” he remarked in a recent interview. His tenure with the Yankees spanned from 2009 until his retirement in 2019, during which he established himself as a key player in the organisation.
During an event promoting MLB Opening Night, where he served as a booth analyst for a live broadcast on Netflix, Sabathia expressed his humility and excitement regarding the ceremony. “You can put up Hall of Fame numbers on any team, but to be able to do that in New York and have my number retired, yeah, it’s gonna be a surreal feeling,” he added, reflecting on the weight of the honour. Sabathia is set to become the 24th individual to have their number retired by the Yankees, with his honour succeeding that of Paul O’Neill, whose No. 21 was retired in August 2022.
CC Sabathia’s illustrious career encompasses numerous accolades, including six All-Star selections, a Cy Young Award, and a World Series title—as well as his recent induction into the Hall of Fame. His performance on the field has solidified his legacy as one of the great pitchers of his time.
Since stepping away from the game, Sabathia has shifted his focus to family life, enjoying quality time with his wife Amber and their four children: sons Carsten and Carter, along with daughters Jaeden and Cyia. In a conversation about his post-baseball life, Sabathia shared how he treasures family moments, particularly during their recent Christmas holiday and the excitement of watching his eldest son play baseball at the University of Houston.
“Most things that we do revolve around baseball because we’re a baseball family,” he admitted. However, he also expressed the joy of simply being together, noting how rarely their busy schedules permit all six of them to unite. With two of his children in college, as well as a high school senior and freshman, such gatherings are becoming increasingly special.
As the Yankees prepare to honour Sabathia this autumn, the ceremony is expected to draw significant attention, commemorating not just his individual achievements but also the collective memory of his contributions to the sport. Fans and former teammates alike will undoubtedly gather to celebrate the man who answered the call for the Yankees during his remarkable career.
The spotlight on Sabathia underscores the larger narrative of talented athletes who have carved their names into the annals of baseball history, while also maintaining strong ties to their families and communities beyond the diamond. His journey from pitching star to Hall of Famer and now a proud family man epitomises the enduring spirit and love for baseball that continues to thrive among former players.
In the run-up to his number retirement, Sabathia remains an active member of the MLB community, recently participating in commentary for the MLB Opening Night. This involvement illustrates his enduring passion for the game, and as he prepares to reflect on his illustrious career, both he and fans eagerly await the emotional moment when his number 52 ascends into Yankees history.