CC Sabathia believes that Andy Pettitte, his former teammate with the New York Yankees, truly deserves a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Following Sabathia’s recent first-ballot induction, the left-handed pitcher expressed hope that Pettitte’s candidacy will gain renewed attention.
“For me, Andy is a Hall of Famer,” Sabathia stated in an interview with MLB.com. “Getting a chance to pitch alongside him and continuing to talk to him regularly reinforces my belief that he belongs in the Hall of Fame. With my induction, I hope it prompts people to reconsider his case.”
“Anyone who wins 19 games in the playoffs deserves to be recognized in Cooperstown,” he added.
Pettitte, a three-time All-Star, celebrated five World Series victories during his time with the Yankees, spanning three separate stints (1995-2003, 2007-10, and 2012-13). He also played for the Houston Astros from 2004 to 2006, where he achieved a combined 3.38 ERA across 84 games, including a career-best 2.39 ERA in 2005.
Throughout his career, Pettitte maintained a 3.85 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and recorded 2,448 strikeouts over 531 games. His regular-season record stands at 256 wins and 153 losses.
In Yankees history, Pettitte ranks first with 2,020 career strikeouts, is tied for first with 438 games started, and is third in wins (219), innings pitched (2,796.1), and WAR (51.3) among pitchers.
However, Pettitte’s Hall of Fame candidacy has faced challenges, particularly after he admitted in 2007 to using HGH to recover from an elbow injury. This year, he received 27.9% support for induction, a notable increase from 13.5% in 2023, yet still short of the 75% required.
Pettitte is remembered as one of the best postseason pitchers in MLB history. He made 44 postseason starts, achieving a 3.81 ERA and a 19-11 record. His 19 postseason wins remain the highest for any pitcher.
Sabathia and Pettitte were teammates on the Yankees during two separate periods, from 2009 to 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2013. Sabathia joined the Yankees in 2009 and quickly established himself as the team’s ace, contributing to their World Series victory in his first season. Together with fellow free agent A.J. Burnett, Sabathia and Pettitte formed a formidable starting rotation during the 2009 postseason.
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