MLB Network makes the Hall of Fame case for former Yankees ace CC Sabathia, as the big decision day approaches

CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) January 21 ... but was nudged to continue pitching by an offseason phone call with MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds, who provided statistical data on how reaching 250 wins and 3,000 strikeouts would help his Hall case.

CC Sabathia might not have made it to Cooperstown without Harold Reynolds. The former New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians left-handed ace, a six-time All-Star, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Newly-elected Hall of Famer CC Sabathia joins MLB Tonight to discuss getting the call to Cooperstown, being part of the "Black Aces" and more

MLB Network breaks down CC Sabathia's dominant career, plus the keys to why he deserves to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer

Of the 28 players on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s 2025 Hall of Fame ballot, three heard their names called when the results were announced Tuesday on MLB Network: Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.

Before being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday evening, CC Sabathia was already part of an exclusive club called the "Black Aces" -- 15 African American pitchers who had the distinction of winning 20 or more games in a Major League Baseball season.

Former MLB catcher Jason Kendall joins Hot Stove to talk about being CC Sabathia's teammate in the 2008 season, CC's mindset and more

The record books reflect that the best in-season trade in Brewers history happened on July 7, 2008. But thanks to an inside man, CC Sabathia saw it coming. “Dave Riske, one of my lifetime friends,” Sabathia said with a laugh.

This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

A leadoff hitter, an ace starter and a lockdown closer walk into a Hall … It’s no joke. The National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 is complete after Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner

The Hall of Fame introduced the newest members of its Class of 2025 -- Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner \-\- live from Cooperstown on Thursday. The trio all donned matching Hall of Fame jerseys and caps and shared their thoughts on being elected to the Hall.