NEW YORK — CC Sabathia’s uniform number 52 is slated for retirement on September 26 by the New York Yankees. The team will also unveil a commemorative plaque honoring the baseball legend at Monument Park, an event scheduled prior to their match against the Baltimore Orioles that day.
Sabathia marks the twenty-fourth individual to have his jersey number permanently honored by the Yankees. This occasion will be the first such recognition since Paul O’Neill was celebrated with the withdrawal of No. 21 in 2022. Overall, twenty-three numbers have been retired, with No. 8 notably reserved for both Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey.
“From the initial number adorning my locker to 52 permanently displayed in Monument Park — this HOF journey has truly come full circle,” Sabathia shared on X Wednesday night. “Having my number retired by the New York Yankees this year represents one of the most profound distinctions of my life. The LegaCCy endures.”
From the first number that hung in my locker to 52 forever hanging in Monument Park – this HOF journey has come full circle. To have my number retired by the New York Yankees this year is one of the greatest honors of my life. The LegaCCy continues. pic.twitter.com/EwmLFEMhW4
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) February 25, 2026
In a subsequent message, he stated: “Thank you all for the support, it is profoundly meaningful!!!”
Sabathia will find himself alongside erstwhile colleagues Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, whose plaques also reside in Monument Park, situated past Yankee Stadium’s center-field fence.
Sabathia, a six-time selection for the All-Star team, secured the 2007 American League Cy Young Award while with Cleveland. He also claimed a World Series championship in 2009, his inaugural season with the Yankees after joining as an unattached player.
Over nineteen professional seasons, Sabathia achieved a record of 251-161 with a 3.74 ERA and 3,093 strikeouts, ranking third among southpaws, trailing only Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton. This impressive career spanned his time with Cleveland (2001 to 2008), Milwaukee (2008), and the Yankees (2009 to 2019), featuring a 134-88 record with a 3.81 ERA and 1,700 strikeouts specifically for New York.
Sabathia was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2025, gaining selection in his initial year of eligibility.
Further Yankees whose uniform numbers have been permanently honored include: No. 1 (Billy Martin, 1986); No. 2 (Jeter, 2017); No. 3 (Babe Ruth, 1948); No. 4 (Lou Gehrig, 1939); No. 5 (Joe DiMaggio, 1952); No. 6 (Joe Torre, 2014); No. 7 (Mickey Mantle, 1969); No. 8 (Berra and Dickey, 1972); No. 9 (Roger Maris, 1984); No. 10 (Phil Rizzuto, 1985); No. 15 (Thurman Munson, 1979); No. 16 (Whitey Ford, 1974); No. 20 (Jorge Posada, 2015); No. 21 (O’Neill, 2022); No. 23 (Don Mattingly, 1997); No. 32 (Elston Howard, 1984); No. 37 (Casey Stengel, 1970); No. 42 (Mariano Rivera, 2013); No. 44 (Reggie Jackson, 1993); No. 46 (Pettitte, 2015); No. 49 (Ron Guidry, 2003); and No. 51 (Bernie Williams, 2015).
Furthermore, Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 was universally withdrawn across all major league teams in 1997.
The Associated Press provided material for this report.