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 on Tuesday got the call that he had made the Baseball Hall of Fame. It did not take long for the former pitcher to make clear what team he wants to represent on his Hall of Fame plaque: the New York Yankees.