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.

Former Cleveland ace CC Sabathia has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Sabathia, 44, won 251 games in 19 MLB seasons, eight of those with the Cleveland Indians. He went 106-71 with a 3.83 ERA for Cleveland,