Yankees legend gives his thoughts on last season’s running back team and Aaron Judge’s key factor
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Don’t tell the New York Yankees this, but the New York Yankees are saying it again.
The Yankees’ first lineup of the season on Wednesday will bear a striking resemblance to the one that saw the Yankees eliminated in the American League Division Series last October, and only two players from outside the organization were added to the 26-man roster this offseason: Randall Grichuk and Ryan Weathers.
But despite the enormous failure, a Yankees legend strongly agrees with the Yankees philosophy.
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New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. (Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Sports)
“I think it’s good. I think having the opportunity to get Gerrit Cole back (from Tommy John surgery), having Carlos Rodon healthy for a season and getting Clarke Schmidt (from TJ) back would be huge,” CC Sabathia told News Digital in a recent interview. “I think with the amount of pitching they have, I think that’s what they’re counting on, that their pitching is going to be good, and if the lineup can do what they did last year, I think they’ll be in a good place.
“A lot of the best teams are in the National League. They have a chance to stay healthy and if they can pitch, they have a chance to get back to the World Series.”
Sabathia will see the Yankees’ first lineup up close and personal, as he will be in the Oracle Park booth as a color commentator on Netflix when the Yankees visit the San Francisco Giants. For the Hall of Fame left-hander who grew up attending Giants games, it’s a moment of coming full circle.
“Having the opportunity to come home for the Giants’ Opening Day, which is something I did a lot with my family, my dad and my uncle,” Sabathia said. “I remember numerous times we’d skip school on a Monday and go to the Giants’ opening day at Candlestick Park. So now being able to come full circle and call the game on opening day for my former home team is really cool.”
CC Sabathia removes his hat to the crowd before a ceremony honoring his induction into the Hall of Fame prior to the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 7, 2025 in New York, New York. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
RANGERS PITCHER LEARNS HE MADE THE OPENING DAY ROSTER DURING THE GAME
“I thought I would never play again once I retired, but it’s something that, you know, I’ve done my whole life,” Sabathia added. “I was drafted at 17 years old. I’ve never had any other jobs. So being a part of the league office, working with the Yankees, being able to do all the things I can do, it’s a blessing and I don’t take it for granted. I’m very excited to have the opportunity to continue impacting the game in retirement.”
If the Yankees want to be successful in October, Aaron Judge will have to be Aaron Judge. The Yankees captain became famous for his postseason struggles until he hit .500 with a 1.273 OPS last season. But after an 0-for-4 performance with three strikeouts in the finals of the World Baseball Classic, the noise is back.
Sabathia, however, dismisses most of it.
“I think it’s in the same place Alex [Rodriguez] was when I got here. For me, he already proved his worth in October, but people say no. But until he goes out and has an Aaron Judge-type month in October, people will say it’s not a clutch. That year we won in 2009, A-Rod hit some huge home runs. He had a great October and people got off his back. So I think that’s what it’s going to take,” Sabathia said.
Aaron Judge and CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Minnesota Twins in the American League Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium on October 3, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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The Yankees won 94 games last year, tied for the most in the American League. However, a tiebreaker gave the Toronto Blue Jays the division, and they eliminated the Yankees en route to narrowly losing the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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