CC Sabathia on Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani & Why Baseball’s in a New Golden Era
In the latest episode of Network with Rich Kleiman, the Yankees legend opens up about life after baseball, raising the next generation of players, MLB’s new era of energy, and what’s next for New York’s teams.
From his days as a six-time MLB All-Star and World Series champion to his current roles as a dad, mentor, and special assistant in MLB’s front office, CC Sabathia has experienced the game from every angle. But in this conversation, it’s his perspective on baseball’s future — and his own evolution within it — that stands out. Taking the interview from a hotel room in Florida while on a trip to see his 15-year-old son play in the A Perfect Game tournament, the Hall of Famer couldn’t be happier. “I’m a baseball dad now,” says Sabathia. “I got my wagon, my chair, my fan, my iPad — I’m really into it. I missed so much of my oldest son’s journey; I don’t want to miss anything this time around.”
That balance between legacy and renewal runs through the whole conversation. Sabathia talks about watching the next generation of home-grown players develop through programs like MLB Develops and The Players Alliance, noting that “baseball’s biggest challenge is getting kids from the small field to the big field — but once they make that jump, that’s where greatness comes from.”
He credits the pitch clock and MLB’s willingness to finally make big structural changes for helping bring a new energy to the game: shorter games, packed ballparks, and stars who feel larger than life again. “We were always scared to make changes,” Sabathia says. “But the pitch clock did it. The games move faster, the crowds are back, and it’s made the sport more fun — even for lifers like me.”
And when it comes to those stars, CC doesn’t hold back. Aaron Judge? “A modern-day Mickey Mantle.” Shohei Ohtani? “The best baseball player I’ve ever seen in my life.”
He also dives into what’s next for New York’s baseball teams. For the Yankees, Sabathia wants a renewed focus on speed and contact — not just power. For the Mets, he believes the core is there, but veteran pitching depth will be key to helping their young arms develop.
Before this NYC-focused episode kicks off, Rich adds his own local sports take, making a case for Giants stability — arguing that keeping the current coaching staff and core together could pay off if given time to build chemistry. “Continuity matters,” he says. “You can’t build confidence when you start over every year.”
From reflections on Cooperstown to breaking down the postseason field (CC’s picking Dodgers vs. Blue Jays), the episode is a reminder of what makes Sabathia one of the game’s most respected voices.
