Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that they have hired six-time All-Star CC Sabathia as Commissioner Rob Manfred’s special assistant. According to the league, the role was created specifically for Sabathia and will employ the 41-year-old in the areas of “player relations, diversity, equity and inclusion, social responsibility, youth participation and broadcasting”.
Since hanging up his spikes, Sabathia has been the vice president of the Players Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving access to sports for black athletes. He has also appeared on the MLB Network and co-hosts a baseball podcast for The Ringer with Ryan Ruocco.
“We are delighted to have CC Sabathia join the Commissioner’s Office to work on some of our key initiatives,” said Commissioner Rob Manfred in a press release. “We welcome CC’s positive energy, strong character, creative spirit and civic approach to build on our efforts to strengthen the sport, diversify the sport and give back to the community. CC has a strong voice in baseball and we appreciate the perspective he will bring to our office.”
Sabathia issued a statement of her own in the above publication. “I look forward to sharing my perspective as a former major league player with the Commissioner’s Office,” said Sabathia. “I want to be able to keep giving back to the game I love so much. This new role gives me the opportunity to continue my passion for work, being a player advocate and contributing to the League Office’s decision-making process after 19 years on the pitch. I can’t wait to get started.”
Sabathia is of course one of the most successful throwers in recent history. He spent 19 seasons in the major leagues, playing for the Indians, Brewers and Yankees. The southpaw has eclipsed 3,500 career innings and fueled more than 3,000 batters. Sabathia finished in Cy Young’s top five on five separate occasions and took home the award in 2007 with Cleveland. From 2006 to 2012, he posted a sub-3.50 ERA every season and surpassed 190 frames in all seven years. Sabathia will bring an excellent resume and, more importantly, a respected voice to the League Office in a variety of roles.