C.C. SABATHIA HALL OF FAME SPEECH
Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for C.C. Sabathia:
Born Carsten Charles Sabathia, in Vallejo, CA.
Better known around these parts as C.C. Sabathia.
Drafted into the Mid-West Baseball League by the Warfield Cheeseheads in the 3rd Round, of the 1999 MWBL Draft (62nd Overall). Traded on 11/01/2000 in a deal that sent Tomo Ohka, & a Draft Pick who ended up being Britt Reames to the Chicago Mobsters. Chicago received six (6) Draft Picks which you can look up on the MWBL website (which is incredible by the way).
Back to C.C. …
Chicago Mobsters 2002 – 2020
Career stats: 495 Game Started, 281 Wins, 123 Loses, 3.35 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 40 Shutouts, 2892 Strikeouts, & 3458.1 Innings Pitched.
C.C. is a true embodiment of the game’s spirit, a symbol of resilience, & a shining example of what can be achieved through perseverance & determination. From the moment he stepped onto the field, it was evident that C.C. possessed an extraordinary gift for the game.
Today, as we gather here to honor this extraordinary individual along with five others, we pay tribute to not only C.C.’s remarkable achievements but also his character, integrity, & unwavering commitment to excellence. C.C. Sabathia has shown us that dreams can be realized with hard work, that challenges can be overcome with resilience, & that success is not just measured by statistics, but by the positive impact we leave on the lives of others.
So, as we celebrate the remarkable career of C.C. Sabathia, let us remember the moments of brilliance on the field, the Strikeouts, the Shutouts, & the Wins. But let us also celebrate the man behind the uniform—who was a mentor, & a role model. Let us celebrate the legacy he has built & the inspiration he continues to provide to generations of baseball players yet to come.
In closing, Mr. Sabathia, thank you for the countless memories, the exhilarating performances, & the unwavering commitment to my very own Chicago Mobsters. You, sir, exemplified the qualities of a true leader & a consummate professional. Your legacy will continue to live on in the annals of the Mid-West Baseball League.
Ladies & gentlemen, members of the press, fans, & Hall of Famers behind me – please join me in a thunderous round of applause as we welcome & honor the incomparable C.C. Sabathia in the Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Fame!
C.C. Sabathia Speech:
Before I start, I would like to acknowledge the five other Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Fame Members today. Manager Bill Schindel, Ichiro_, Carlos Beltran, Adrian Beltre, & my brother from another mother, teammate & great friend, Felix Hernandez. It is truly an honor to go into the Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Fame with all of you, whom I now consider all brothers.
Today, I stand before you as Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr., but you may know me as C.C. Sabathia. This is a momentous occasion, a culmination of years of dedication, passion, & relentless pursuit of excellence. It is an immense honor to be inducted into the Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of the greatest players to have ever graced the APBA Baseball for Windows 5.75 diamond or computer screen.
I am not only an individual but a representative of the many people who have contributed to my journey. I am grateful to my family, my parents, who instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience, & determination. To my wife Amber, & my children, who have been my rock & my motivation, I owe you my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support throughout the highs & lows of my career.
To my teammates, thank you for pushing me to be better, for the camaraderie we shared, & for the memories that will last a lifetime. Baseball is a team sport, & without the collective effort of each player, success would be impossible to attain, let alone continue which we did with the Mobsters for my entire career. Think about that. In 18 years, we never as a team had a losing record. The Mobsters still don’t in their entire franchise history. That’s attaining a level of success even beyond what I did.
I would be remiss if I didn’t express my gratitude to the coaches, managers, & trainers who believed in me, nurtured my talent, & helped me develop into the player I became. Your guidance & wisdom have shaped not only my skills on the field but also my character off it.
My journey in baseball has been filled with triumphs & tribulations, victories & defeats. It has been a testament to the power of perseverance & resilience. I’ve faced countless challenges, both physical & mental, but I have always found the strength to bounce back, to keep pushing forward. I hope that my story serves as an inspiration to all those who face adversity in their own lives.
Baseball is more than just a game; it is a vessel for unity, for bringing people together, transcending boundaries, & forging lasting connections. It has the power to unite communities, inspire generations, & create moments that will be etched in our collective memory forever. I am humbled to have been a part of this incredible league & to have had the opportunity to contribute to its rich tapestry.
I am deeply grateful to all the Mid-West Baseball League Commissioner, my Chicago Mobsters Franchise Owner – Stray Corrado, the lifeblood of the League. Your unwavering support, your cheers, & even your constructive criticism have fueled my passion. I played for you, knowing that each pitch, each swing, had the potential to create moments of pure joy & exhilaration. Your enthusiasm & love for the game have been my driving force.
Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the significance of this honor. The Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Fame represents the pinnacle of achievement, a testament to the impact one can have on the game. To be counted among the legends, the icons who have shaped the history of the Mid-West Baseball League, is a dream come true. I am deeply humbled & profoundly grateful for this recognition.
In conclusion, I am profoundly grateful for the privilege to be recognized as a Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Famer. Baseball has been my life’s passion, & I am forever indebted to the game that has given me so much. I hope to be an inspiration to future generations, to show them that with hard work, determination, & a love for the game, dreams can become reality.
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for this extraordinary honor. May the spirit of the game, & friendship continue to thrive in this league, & may we always remember the magic & joy that baseball brings to our lives.