CLEVELAND, Ohio ― CC Sabathia wasn’t supposed to make the Indians’ opening day roster in 2001. Charlie Manuel didn’t care. It was Manuel’s second year as manager. Sabathia, 20, was in spring training for the first time in Winter Haven, Florida.

Sabathia, who won 251 games during his career, was elected in his first year of eligibility. Tyler Carey lays out why the big lefty more than deserving.

CC Sabathia adds another C to his name now, for Cooperstown, now that he becomes the latest great Yankee to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.