Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia suggested that the New York Yankees could enhance their support systems for young players, helping them better manage the significant pressure associated with playing for the storied franchise. Sabathia, whose No. 52 is set to be retired by the Yankees on September 26, described the experience of wearing the pinstripes as a "different beast."
Speaking at his PitCCh In Foundation’s Golf Classic, Sabathia reflected on the struggles of young players like Anthony Volpe, who has experienced both cheers and criticism from the demanding fan base. Sabathia noted that many young players, including Gary Sanchez and Miguel Andujar, have faced difficulties, often acquiring a "label" that can be detrimental. He pointed to Aaron Judge as a rare exception, whose immediate success with 50 home runs seemingly insulated him from similar scrutiny.
"It’s hard to watch, right?" Sabathia said, referencing Volpe's journey. "Because he’s from here, he wants to do well. And I just watched so many young players for the Yankees, whether it’s Gary Sanchez, whether it was Miguel Andujar, whoever it is, you get a label and that’s what it is, which sucks especially for a young player."
Sabathia also mentioned George Lombard Jr.'s recent struggles with errors, which led to audible grumblings from fans. He advocated for the Yankees to improve how they "insulat[e] these guys and helping them understand what it is to put on the pinstripes." He emphasized the need for young players to "cancel out the noise and go out and play baseball every single day."
Sabathia, who joined the Yankees in 2009 and won a World Series that season, acknowledged the unique pressures of the New York market, where championships are consistently expected. He experienced this pressure himself after being acquired by the Cleveland Indians in 2001 and noted it was also present during his brief stint with the Milwaukee Brewers.
However, he stated that arriving in New York presented a distinct challenge. Despite the expectations, Sabathia and his teammates delivered the franchise's 27th World Series title that year. Since then, the Yankees have not won another championship, reaching the Fall Classic once in 2024 before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sabathia believes the pressure to win is unparalleled in Major League Baseball, particularly for young players trying to establish themselves with the Yankees. "This is the only place it happens. If you think about anywhere else, it doesn’t happen anywhere else. You think about what Roman Anthony is going through in Boston. If that was here in New York, it would be leading Sportscenter every single day," he explained.
Despite the challenges, Sabathia expressed confidence in Volpe's ability to persevere. "You think about Volpe’s perseverance and determination — what else is he going to do? He’s not going to quit," Sabathia added. "This is what he wanted to do his whole life. He wanted to play baseball his whole life, and he’s been in tough situations. Baseball is a hard game, but I think he’ll be better for sure, whether he’s playing second base, whether he’s playing shortstop in the Bronx or somewhere else."
He concluded that Volpe is talented enough to succeed and expressed excitement for his future, whether it remains with the Yankees or elsewhere.