“CC Sabathia set the tone for everyone in the clubhouse” - Ex-Yankees pitcher on how former 6x All-Star's leadership created a winning environment

CC Sabathia is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who put together a terrific career as a left-handed starting pitcher. Sabathia was a 6x All-Star throughout his career and also pitched in some big moments in the postseason.

Sabathia is back in the news this week as the 2025 MLB Hall of Fame announcement is coming, and the left-hander is on the ballot. Retired pitcher Zack Britton shared his thoughts on Sabathia to MLB Network Radio on Tuesday, making his pitch to have the starter inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Speaking to MLB Network in a recording that was shared on "X," Zack Britton says it was Sabathia who set the tone for those great New York Yankees teams.

"He set the tone for everyone in that clubhouse." -Zack Britton on CC Sabathia.

Those New York Yankees teams were filled with some great players, but Britton believes that it was the leadership from Sabathia that pushed those teams over the top. He would go on to make the case for Sabathia by describing his dominance amongst his peers.

"He was one of the premier starters in the league."

This is the first year that CC Sabathia is on the Hall of Fame ballot and his numbers are good enough to get him elected. During his career, he went 251-161 while pitching to a career ERA of 3.74. He was the best starting pitcher on the 2009 New York Yankees team that won the World Series, with the lefty winning ALCS MVP honors.

CC Sabathia has support from manager Joe Girardi

Sabathia is not only getting support from his teammates for his case to be a Hall of Famer, but his former manager is also speaking out. Girardi, who managed the 2009 Yankees, spoke to MLB Network Radio on Dec. 6 and discussed how he had to manage the game differently with the veteran on the mound.

"Sabathia to me is definitely a Hall of Famer," Girardi said. "19 seasons, over 3,500 innings, 251 wins, over 3,000 strikeouts — are there 19 pitchers that have over 3,000 strikeouts? Here's what I love about CC Sabathia: CC Sabathia changed the way I managed the game the day before and the day after because I didn't plan on using my bullpen much the day CC pitched, I didn't plan on using the left-handers.

The 2025 Hall of Fame class will be announced on Tuesday and Sabathia has a strong case for being elected.