Chapter 1: Why is C.C. Sabathia's number being retired?
We got the announcement yesterday of number 52 going into Monument Park, a plaque for C.C. Sabathia. And, you know, so I'm sure your reaction, I don't know what it was, but I know mine was my initial reaction was. Yeah, that sounds about right.
But I was always left with thinking that that team could have and should have won more, which is a really snarky thing to say because there are teams like the Mets that haven't won since 1986, and there are other teams that have never won. But...
great just a great pitcher here and whenever i think of cc sabathia yes 2009 with the world series for sure i will always come back to that that half a season after the trade deadline not even half a season when he was with milwaukee oh yeah pitching every three days to will that team into the postseason a gamer as good as they get and just a big congratulations to cc
Yeah, the guy was a beast for sure. And he played 19 years in the major leagues. And look, he's a Hall of Famer.
Chapter 2: What impact did C.C. Sabathia have on the Yankees?
So Hall of Famers get plaques and get their numbers retired. And it's really great. He's been a real... I think he's been one of their... For his era of Yankee, they didn't win as much as they probably should have in terms of championships. But he was the guy that took the ball every five days. He was a workhorse. He wanted to be out there. It wasn't perfect.
It didn't end the sweetest way it could have, but I don't have any problem with it. As a matter of fact, when I did see it, I was like, okay, it's about time.
Absolutely.
Chapter 3: How does Sabathia's career compare to other Yankees legends?
And, you know, we talk about 200 innings like being the gold standard now. And so I pulled up his numbers just because, you know, you figure he probably— You're a numbers guy. Well, no, but I think sometimes they're valid. And, you know, in 2007 with Cleveland, 241, that 2008 year that I was talking about— Yep. 253. Ridiculous. I mean, really just a throwback to some level.
And then winning the World Series in 2009 with the Yankees. And then, you know, you look at his numbers. Those first five or six years were so damn good.
Chapter 4: What are the criteria for a player to have their number retired?
And then a little bit of injury stuff in maybe a couple of years. Not so great. But, you know, for the most part, he was a guy that... You wanted to go watch pitch. He was different looking. He was big. He had the oversized jersey was on him. But he was a great pitcher, and so he goes into Monument Park. And so I thought this would be interesting.
I don't have the exact number, but there's a lot of numbers that the Yankees have retired.
Chapter 5: Who are the other Yankees with retired numbers?
A lot of numbers that the Yankees have retired.
And the thing about it is, since they do not have the name on the back of the jersey... The number is the number belongs to that player.
Correct. Except number eight, I think, is Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey. But you're right. Otherwise, it belongs to the player. So in terms of monuments in Monument Park, you've only got Miller Huggins, George Steinbrenner, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio. That's it. Everybody else gets a plaque.
Chapter 6: What makes Monument Park significant for Yankees fans?
No Mineman. So, Al, I'm going to ask you a couple of numbers. Now, you are a 1980s baseball maven. Yeah. It's hard to actually argue with him, believe it or not. We've done this. Some of these are from earlier. I'm going to give you a Yankee number. I'm going to see if you can give me the name. It's going to be tough.
Chapter 7: Which players might be next for a monument or plaque?
I'm going to... I don't think it is. I don't know why the Yankee numbers, they're tough for me, but we'll give it a shot. Let's get you off to a good start. I feel like this is back in the day giving away a Super Bowl trip. Good start. Number two. Jeet. Okay. They were one for one.
Chapter 8: How does the current Yankees team compare to past championship teams?
What if I gave you number six? Number six? Mickey Mantle. No. No, no, no. He was on our softball. Not on our softball team, but he was in uniform. The manager... Mickey Rivers. The manager. Willie Randolph. Joe Torre.
Yes.
Come on. We're going to count that one.
That's a win.
You know what? He was a manager. Mickey Mantle was number seven, Al. Member from Seinfeld. We're going to name the kid seven for Mickey Mantle. Geez. This is not going to go well, then, if you can't get that. How about 46? Pettit. Yes.
Okay, very good.
I knew Pettit, but not Mickey Mantle. How about number 20? Jorge Posada. See, this is what I'm saying. You know your stuff, 21. Paul O'Neill. Look, 23. Don Mattingly. So these are all guys with plaques. It's going to get a little more difficult now, but given the era, I have faith in you. 49. Mariano Rivera. Oh, no. He was 42. My bad. I caught that one.
You did catch that one. Yeah, you caught yourself.
49? Yes. Figueroa. Not Figueroa. Ron Guidry.
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