CC Sabathia is a retired American Major League Baseball pitcher with an estimated net worth of $80 million.
Widely regarded as one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers of his era, Sabathia built a career defined by durability, power, and postseason excellence.
Over a 19-year MLB career spanning from 2001 to 2019, Sabathia accumulated elite numbers, championship hardware, and historic milestones that secured his legacy.
In January 2025, his career was formally immortalized when he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Career Overview And Achievements
Selected 20th overall by the Cleveland Indians in the 1998 MLB Draft, Sabathia made his major league debut at just 20 years old in 2001.
He immediately showcased his talent, finishing his rookie season with a 17–5 record and placing second in American League Rookie of the Year voting.
Throughout his career, Sabathia played for:
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Cleveland Indians (2001–2008)
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Milwaukee Brewers (2008)
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New York Yankees (2009–2019)
His most celebrated individual season came in 2007, when he posted a 19–7 record with a 3.21 ERA and 209 strikeouts, earning the American League Cy Young Award.
Among his most notable career accomplishments:
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251 career wins
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3,093 strikeouts
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3.74 career ERA
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6× All-Star selections
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63.5 career WAR
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17 consecutive seasons with 150+ innings pitched
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First Black pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts
Sabathia’s combination of power pitching and long-term consistency placed him among the elite starters of his generation.
The Milwaukee Turning Point
In 2008, amid an impending free agency, Sabathia was traded midseason to the Milwaukee Brewers. What followed was one of the most dominant stretches in modern baseball history.
He went 11–2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts, nearly single-handedly propelling Milwaukee to its first postseason appearance in 26 years.
Although the Brewers fell in the NLDS, Sabathia’s performance significantly elevated his market value heading into free agency.
The Historic Yankees Contract
In December 2008, Sabathia signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the New York Yankees. At the time, it was the largest contract ever awarded to a pitcher in MLB history.
He delivered immediate returns.
In his first season with the Yankees, Sabathia went 19–8 with a 3.37 ERA. The following year, he helped lead the franchise to its 27th World Series title, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009.
During his Yankees tenure, he continued to reach milestones:
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21-win season in 2010 (MLB-best)
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2,000th career strikeout in 2011
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230 strikeouts in 2011 (third-highest in Yankees history at the time)
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3,000th career strikeout in 2019
Despite battling injuries and undergoing elbow and heart surgeries later in his career, Sabathia remained a respected clubhouse leader until announcing his retirement at the end of the 2019 season.
Contracts, Career Earnings, And Endorsements
Sabathia’s financial success mirrored his dominance on the mound.
Career Salary
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7-year, $161 million Yankees contract (2008)
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Peak annual salary: $25 million (2015 and 2016)
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Total career MLB salary: approximately $260 million
In addition to his playing contracts, Sabathia earned nearly $1 million per year in endorsements, partnering with brands such as:
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Nike’s Jordan Brand
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Pepsi
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Subway
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EA Sports
These combined earnings firmly established him as one of the highest-paid pitchers of his generation.
Later Years And Resilience
Sabathia’s career was not without adversity. From 2013 to 2015, he faced recurring injuries, including hamstring and knee issues that required surgery. In 2015, he also entered a rehabilitation program to address alcohol dependency, a decision widely praised for its transparency and courage.
He returned revitalized in 2016, recording his 100th win as a Yankee and helping lead the team back to postseason contention in subsequent seasons.
In 2019, after recovering from heart surgery earlier that year, Sabathia achieved his 3,000th strikeout milestone before retiring at season’s end.
Personal Life And Real Estate
CC Sabathia is married to his wife, Amber, and the couple has four children: Carsten Charles III, Carter, Jaeden, and Cyia.
Following his signing with the Yankees, Sabathia purchased a 12,000-square-foot mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, for $14.9 million in 2009. The property, situated on two acres, reflected his stature as one of baseball’s premier stars.
Legacy And Hall Of Fame Induction
Sabathia’s election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 2025 cemented his legacy as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in modern baseball history.
His career represents a rare combination of dominance, durability, leadership, and cultural significance, particularly as a trailblazer for Black pitchers in Major League Baseball.
FAQ
What was CC Sabathia’s largest contract?
In 2008, he signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the New York Yankees, then the largest deal for a pitcher in MLB history.
How many strikeouts did CC Sabathia record?
Sabathia finished his career with 3,093 strikeouts, becoming the first Black pitcher to surpass 3,000 strikeouts.
When was CC Sabathia inducted into the Hall of Fame?
He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 2025.