Last July, in the middle of the final season of his storied career, Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia expressed an interest in eventually taking on a front office role with the organization. That’s about to come to fruition, as Bryan Hoch of MLB.com writes the Yankees are set to add Sabathia to their stable of special advisors (Andrew Marchand of the New York Post first reported the news). The role’s “expected to encompass speaking with players at all levels of the system,” according to Hoch.
The 39-year-old Sabathia will become the latest ex-Yankee to fill this type of position with the club. Carlos Beltran (now the Mets’ manager), Andy Pettitte, Alex Rodriguez, Nick Swisher, Hideki Matsui and Reggie Jackson were special advisors for the team last season.
Like everyone from the above group, Sabathia enjoyed an excellent run in the Bronx as a player. An Indian and Brewer from 2001-08, Sabathia joined the Yankees prior to ’09 on a seven-year, $161MM pact. The union ended up going swimmingly for both sides. Sabathia helped the Yankees to their most recent championship in his first season with the team, and he continued to further his Hall of Fame case throughout the remainder of his time in pinstripes.
dman07
Good for CC! Way to stay around the game.
MrAngelFan
CC is perfect for “special” advisor. He already has those Down Syndrome ears.
thelegendofmike
Down vote
jonnyzuck
it’s good to see the team keep around good guys that played well for them
MLBTRS
Special advisor on what to include in the post-game buffet.
WideWorldofSports
You wouldn’t say that to his face
WideWorldofSports
You wouldn’t say that to his face
InvalidUserID 2
Feel better about yourself now?
jorge78
No-on special diet plans!
AtlSoxFan
More like they solved the dilemma of what to do with leftovers from the concession stands for the first time in over a decade.
Nice job, food waste is everyone’s problem.
costergaard2
You’re a month from spring training, go find a manager…
windycitykid89
Aren’t you a special one?
pasha2k
Gotta wonder what advising Beltran was doing. I’m always glad to see retired players advising their former team. The teams become your extended family, it’s always good to see. My RS do the same thing n have for many yes, the fans, like me, love it.
yogineely
Nice CC
Indians fan
Im so happy for cc sabathia he was a great sp and will always be one of my favorite players.
Aaron Sapoznik
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southbeachbully
In his wildest dreams I don’t think CC and his family thought they would enjoy New York city so much. Him being a west coast guy many thought he would sign in LA. He likely signed for the most money. He stayed because he genuinely seems to love it. Maybe he can help Cole adjust?
pasha2k
I don’t think Cole will have any problem.
spinach
I do. He had trouble stepping up in Pittsburgh. He is used to having the Astros machine behind him and an ace in front of him and even an ace behind him the last few months.
He has enormous bust potential and I don’t know why nobody is talking about it. Or I suppose I do: the What have you done for me lately echo chamber.
canadianyankee
My biggest Cole concern is that his wife is going to have a baby in June…that will likely be a distraction and you’ll see his numbers suffer because of it…God forbid they have any complications, for the baby’s sake most of all, but from strictly a fan’s perspective his game will be adversely affected…once the baby is here and all is well (September), we’ll see what kind of pitcher he truly is
whynot 2
Canadian… that explains so much about that comment
holycowdude
Weird to bring up an unborn child, but I think we’ve already seen what kind of pitcher he truly is. A damn good one. And he’ll have plenty of protection in a rotation that also includes Severino, Paxton and Tanaka. Yankees rotation this year will be as good as or better than Astros last year, imo. And the Yankees bats are argueably as fierce as the Astros’ when they are all healthy. Don’t forget how much injury they dealt with last season. This is coming from a Yankees hater, btw.
Melchez
Yankees need a special advisor to conditioning. Not sure CC is the best choice.
Just_a_thought
A joke so dry even a Brit would say no thank you.
pinstripes17
not funny, didn’t laugh
uncle mike
Good deal!!! C. C. Has served the Yanks well!!
Glad he’s staying connected to the organization!!!
dynamite drop in monty
As a Sox fan it makes my stomach churn when I have to admit the yanks I respect. Jeter was easy to dislike for many reasons but couldn’t help buy tip your cap to the guy, I LOVE Mariano Rivera …. and CC is another who was always tougher to root against due to his determination, his ability to pitch hurt and how mature and noble he was when discussing his battles with his demons which I am hoping he has hurdled.
driftcat28 2
Not trying to stir anything, just curious what about Jeter you disliked
dynamite drop in monty
A few reasons, nothing too glaring. Some of it was practical, such as continually being deluged with media adoration [i grew up in upstate ny] in which it was always my opinion he was given kind of a Bunyanesque legendary status when in fact he was just a quality player. His defense was never close to what he got credit for IMO, His smirk was annoying while NYY was continually schooling the Sox. His tabloid escapades made me feel sorry for him tho it was pretty clear he wasn’t in it for that [cough cough Arod] but the page 6’s of the world seemed intent on making him this socialite darling. Never meshed and it felt fake.
Oh and he always played hurt while Nomar would miss a week due to a hangnail. So yeah some of it is petty.
pasha2k
Drift, the reason I disliked him is cuz he always beat up the RS pitching, lol. Truth!
MoRivera 1999
Well said.
missjill2u
So happy he is appreciated and staying on
4Gehrig4
I think the “how noble he was when discussing his demons” is exactly why he’s a perfect fit for this — having a bunch of advisors who never had any struggles isn’t nearly as valuable as having some folks who can help people overcome difficulties. I am sure CC can help some people — whether it’s a minor leaguer with a problem or a veteran pitcher who’s lost a yard off his fastball and needs to reinvent himself as a pitcher. Plus the guy is known for being one of the all-time great teammates and has always done a lot in the community. Perfect candidate for a role like this.
dynamite drop in monty
Said it better than I could, 4.
thelegendofmike
+1
YankeesBleacherCreature
Would be fun to also have him do a few games in the YES booth. He’s got a good sense of humor.
Macho King OG
The food at the stadium is cold overpriced slop served by workers who look like they want to hop over the counter and strangle you to death.