MLB Network explains why CC Sabathia is a Hall of Fame pitcher

Based on early anonymous voting results, CC Sabathia will almost certainly represent New York Yankees as the first vote a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The former left-handed starting pitcher is shattering expectations and earning the highest respect from the writers. However, one can never have enough support.

MLB Network is doing its part to help Sabathia secure an eternal honor. “MLB Tonight” host Greg Amsinger and two-time All-Star second baseman Harold Reynolds make a case for the HOF for 2009 World Series and 2007 American League champion Cy Young.

“I think if you’re one of the top five pitchers of your era, you’re a Hall of Famer,” Amsinger said. “First in innings pitched (3,577.1), third in wins (251), first in starts (560) {and} fourth in strikeouts (3,093) in the Wild Card era.” Reynolds specifically used the magic number to challenge Sabathia’s sanctuary in Cooperstown. “When he got his 3,000th. hit in Arizona, that was reserved for him, a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” he said.

Sabathia currently has the third-most strikeouts among southpaws, ranking behind only Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton (Clayton Kershaw will likely pass him in 2025). He also boasts six All-Star selections, an AL Series MVP award and a 62.3 VAR in 19 MLB seasons.

A 3.74 lifetime ERA isn’t what voters typically consider acceptable for a first-ballot rookie, and his 4.28 playoff ERA is pretty lackluster, but Amsinger and Reynolds point to two signature CC Sabathia feats that separate him from comparable pitchers or even superior numbers – his a magnificent outing with the Milwaukee Brewers in the second half of the 2008 campaign (1.65 ERA and three shutouts) and an elite 2009 postseason performance for the Yankees (1.98 ERA and 32 Ks in five starts).

CC Sabathia’s boom raises questions about other HOF voting trends

Curt Schilling, Mark Buehrle and Kevin Brown have strong objections to the planned recount of Sabathia’s votes, given that none of them came close to reaching the required 75 percent. Brown was wiped off the ballot after year one, despite amassing a higher WAR and arguably a better upside than Sabathia. But perhaps moving forward in the most pressured sports market in the country carries more weight than people think.

Additionally, vindicating the faith of the organization and fan base is one of the most difficult goals a player can accomplish, and Sabathia has done it with three different franchises.

Nine years after being drafted 20th overall by the then-Cleveland Indians, the California native was crowned the AL’s best pitcher. The Brewers gave up a number of prospects that included future All-Star Michael Brantley to take over for Sabathia, then were rewarded with one of the most sensational and daring pieces in MLB history. The Yankees signed 6-foot-6 pitcher to a record contract for the position at the time, then won their 27th championship less than 11 months later.

The man passed. And now the baseball community is returning the favor. The official Hall of Fame results will be announced on January 21.