In his final year of his long MLB career, CC Sabathia is still trying to help the Yankees fulfill their World Series aspirations, which would be the perfect ending on his own personal level. However, that hasn't stopped many from asking Sabathia about his future.
Some believe that the future holds a bid to the Baseball Hall of Fame for the big lefty. And if that's the case, he knows exactly what hat he'd choose to wear on his plaque if/when he's inducted.
Making a special guest appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on Monday night, the host brought up how Sabathia has "Hall of Fame numbers" and wanted to know which team he'd choose. It was an easy answer for Sabathia.
"I think being here now for 11 years and winning a World Series here," he said, "I think it'll be a Yankee hat."
The only team Sabathia would maybe consider if he gets the official call from the Hall would be the Indians, the franchise he began his career with after going 20th overall on the 1998 MLB Draft. He made a name for himself in Cleveland, becoming a three-time All-Star over his first eight seasons.
That is why Sabathia was an honorary All-Star this season with the game being played in Cleveland. Bringing his entire family back to where it all started, Sabathia was very thankful to the MLB for making that happen for him.
"I feel like I grew up there," he said. "I got drafted by them when I was 17 years old, and didn't get traded until I was 27. Like I said, three of my four kids were born there. So I have a lot of history in Cleveland, and I feel like this is my second home."
Still those 11 years and his only World Series ring has a special place in Sabathia's heart. He owns a better career ERA, just barely at 3.79 in the Bronx compared to 3.83 in Cleveland.
This season, Sabathia also accumulated his 3,000th strikeout, becoming the second lefty in MLB history to do so. He also totaled 250 wins, a market that many including his manager Aaron Boone said make him a "lock" to enter the Hall.
Will the voters think so? There will be some time before his name hits the ballot. But bet on Sabathia to have the "NY" etched into his cap when his plaque is being made one day.