Yankees Set to Honor HOF CC Sabathia by Retiring No.52 Jersey in 2026

CC Sabathia's No.52 jersey will be retired by the New York Yankees on September 26, 2026, before their game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Yankees Set to Honor HOF CC Sabathia by Retiring No.52 Jersey in 2026

CC Sabathia (Image via X/@Yankees)

The New York Yankees’ Monument Park is set to have another induction this year. In September 2026, the Bronx Bombers will honor MLB Hall of Famer CC Sabathia and retire his No.52 jersey.

Sabathia, a California-born native, would make his way to the MLB in 2001. That year, he would make his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians.

The starting pitcher would make an immediate impact. In his first season, Sabathia went 17-5 while posting a 4.39 ERA. He would finish second in the American League Rookie of the Year award that season, behind American League MVP Ichiro Suzuki.

Sabathia would spend 7.5 seasons with the Indians (now Guardians) and establish himself as one of the best pitchers of his generation, winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2007. In 2008, the AL Central side would trade him away to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The southpaw would play a huge part in the Brewers’ run to the playoffs. After the end of the season, he would make his way to New York, signing a seven-year, $161 million deal with the Yankees.

Sabathia continued his dominance in 2009. His performance in the 2009 American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim saw him being named the MVP of the series.

He and his team would go on to win the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies and defeated the reigning champions 4-2 to capture their 27th championship title. To date, this is the last time the Yankees won the World Series.

While he did struggle a bit from 2013 to the 2016 season, he would bounce back in 2017, going 14-5 in 27 starts with a 3.69 ERA. In 2019, he became the 17th pitcher to reach the 3,000 strikeouts club and retired at the end of the season.

Sabathia finished his career with a 251-161 record while having a career era of 3.74 and 3,093 strikeouts. In 2025, he was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, receiving 86.8 percent votes in his first attempt.

While he started his career with the Indians, he spent more time with the Yankees. He will now receive the ultimate honor from the Bronx Bombers and see his number being retired in a ceremony on September 26, 2026, before the game against the Baltimore Orioles.

CC Sabathia reacts to his number being retired by the Yankees

CC Sabathia‘s No.52 will be retired by the New York Yankees this year. After the development broke out, the 45-year-old would pen down an emotional message while reacting to this on social media.

CC Sabathia
CC Sabathia (Image via MLB)

The 6-time MLB All-Star would take to his X and Instagram accounts to make his feelings known. In a post, the former pitcher would call this one of the “greatest honors” of his life.

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.

CC Sabathia said on X

Sabathia, who is already in the Cleveland Guardians and the Milwaukee Brewers’ Hall of Fame, will now have another major piece of hardware being added to his incredible MLB legacy.

CC Sabathia to join several Yankees great following number retirement

The New York Yankees are sending CC Sabathia’s number into the rafters. The MLB Hall of Famer now joins an exclusive list of Yankees greats to have their number being retired.

CC Sabathia
CC Sabathia (Image via NY Post)

The New York-based franchise is one of the most successful teams in not just MLB but sports history. The club have produced several Hall of Famers while dominating this game for a long time.

Sabathia’s No.52 will be the 23rd number retired by the Yankees. Check out the list of No. retired by Yankees below:

  • Billy Martin (No.1)
  • Derek Jeter (No.2)
  • Babe Ruth (No.3)
  • Lou Gehrig (No.4)
  • Joe DiMaggio (No.5)
  • Joe Torre (No.6)
  • Mickey Mantle (No.7)
  • Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra (No.8)
  • Roger Marris (No.9)
  • Phil Rizzuto (No.10)
  • Thurman Munson (No.15)
  • Whitey Ford (No.16)
  • Jorge Posada (No.20)
  • Paul O’Neill (No.21)
  • Don Mattingly (No. 23)
  • Elston Howard (No.32)
  • Casey Stengel (No.37)
  • Mariano Rivera (No.42)
  • Reggie Jackson (No.44)
  • Andy Pettitte (No.46)
  • Ron Guidry (No. 49)
  • Bernie Williams (No. 51)

Their 22 retired numbers of the Yankees are the most by any team. The St. Louis Cardinals, the second most successful team in MLB, come in second with 14 numbers.

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