CC Sabathia is a first-ballot Hall of Famer with historic numbers, but he almost cut the end of his Yankees career short.

Hall of Famer CC Sabathia. That's how he would like you to refer to him now. Tuesday night, Sabathia was announced as baseball's newest Hall of Famer, joining Ichiro Suzuki and Billy Wagner in the 2025 class.

Used to leading off, Ichiro Suzuki got antsy when he had to wait. Considered a no-doubt pick for baseball's Hall of Fame and possibly the second unanimous selection, he waited by the phone for the expected call Tuesday.