CLEVELAND -- CC Sabathia figured he had already thrown his final pitch in Cleveland.
With the New York Yankees starting having announced his 19th season would be the last of his MLB career, his June 9 start vs. the Indians was supposed to be the last time he'd pitch in the place his big league career began.
As it turned out, the left-hander would tow the rubber at Progressive Field one more time.
Serving as a guest of honor for the event, Sabathia threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game in Cleveland on Tuesday night. The 38-year-old's toss was received by another former Indians great -- Sandy Alomar Jr. -- who won MVP honors the last time the Midsummer Classic was played in Cleveland in 1997.
A 6-time All-Star -- three selections of which came during his time in Cleveland -- Sabathia has spent the last 11 seasons in New York, compiling what could very well be a Hall of Fame career. Although he'll likely be wearing a Yankees cap should he be enshrined in Cooperstown, his career in Cleveland (2001-08) was hardly a footnote, as the left-hander established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, earning the 2007 American League Cy Young Award in his final full season with the Tribe.
"It’s like home," Sabathia told reporters of Cleveland last month.
Earlier this year, Sabathia became just the 17th pitcher to amass 3,000 career strikeouts and 48th pitcher to reach 250 career wins. During his time with the Indians, he posted a 106-71 record, 3.83 ERA and 1,265 strikeouts.
