CC Sabathia bid farewell to baseball Monday, two days after the Yankees were eliminated from the postseason by the Astros in Game 6 of the ALCS.
Thank you, Baseball. pic.twitter.com/o4lGeQi3uJ
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) October 21, 2019
"It all started in Vallejo, CA in my grandma's backyard throwing grapefruits at a folding chair," Sabathia wrote on Twitter. "I could have never imagined how much this game has meant to me since. Through the ups and downs, baseball has always been my home. From Cleveland, to Milwaukee, New York, and everywhere in between, I'm so thankful to have experienced this journey with every teammate past and present."
Sabathia, 39, had previously held a news conference in Florida in February to make his retirement announcement.
"I just wanted to make this announcement that 2019 is my final season," Sabathia said at the time. "I want to thank a lot of people. I wouldn't be here today, 18 years in the big leagues, without so many different people.
"All I've ever wanted for people to remember me as is just a good teammate, and that means a lot to me for you guys sitting here today. ... Thank you to all my teammates who have helped me throughout the years to be able to get to this point. With that being said, I look forward to 2019 being a championship season for us, me going out and giving everything I have and leaving it all out on the field."
Sabathia went 251-161 with a 3.74 ERA and 3,093 strikeouts in 19 seasons with the Indians, Brewers and Yankees. He saw limited action in his final season as he made four trips to the injured list this year and saw his career end with a shoulder injury in Game 4 of the ALCS.