CC Sabathia, a cornerstone of the New York Yankees’ 2009 World Series triumph, has seen the franchise at its peak and its nadir. From anchoring a championship-caliber pitching staff to enduring the lean years of 2013–2016, when postseason berths were elusive, Sabathia’s tenure with the Yankees was a rollercoaster. Off the field, he faced his own battles, including a highly publicized struggle with alcoholism, where he learned that asking for help was the hardest but most vital step. Now, the Yankees legend is stepping up to defend one of the team’s young stars, shortstop Anthony Volpe, who’s been under relentless scrutiny in a challenging 2025 season.
In an interview with the New York Post’s Erich Richter, Sabathia didn’t mince words about the intense pressure young players face in the Bronx. “People need to relax,” he urged, pointing out the unforgiving nature of the New York media and fanbase. He reflected on past prospects like Miguel Andujar, who was “ran out of here because we said he couldn’t catch ground balls,” despite still thriving in the majors. Sabathia also lamented the treatment of Gary Sanchez, suggesting the former catcher could still be a Yankee if given more patience. “It’s hard to develop young talent here,” he said. “We’re trying to win the World Series every year. You don’t have time for guys to go through growing pains. The game’s hard to play, man. It’s very difficult.”
Sabathia zeroed in on the unfair comparisons plaguing Volpe, particularly those to Yankees icon and near-unanimous Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. “Can you imagine a 21-year-old or a 20-year-old who comes here and all the pressure’s on their shoulders?” he asked. “Volpe gets a tough break because people want to compare him to Derek all the time, like he needs to replace Derek.” Sabathia pointed to Didi Gregorius as an example of a shortstop who filled Jeter’s shoes admirably, hitting back-to-back 20-home-run seasons and playing stellar defense without constant comparisons. “Nobody ever talked about Derek being gone when Dee was playing shortstop,” he noted.
Volpe, once a top shortstop prospect, is enduring his toughest season yet. Benched for the opening game of a series against the Blue Jays, his struggles have been magnified under New York’s unforgiving spotlight. According to Fangraphs, Volpe’s 2025 WAR sits at a career-low 0.8, a sharp drop from his 1.9 and 3.5 marks in prior seasons. His batting line mirrors the struggles of his rookie year (.208/.271/.397), and his defensive metrics have taken a hit. While his four defensive runs saved are respectable, his -8 outs above average rank among the worst at his position.
Yet Sabathia’s defense of Volpe is a reminder of the bigger picture. Developing young talent in a market that demands instant success is no easy feat. His call for patience echoes a broader truth: even the greats faced growing pains. As Volpe navigates this rough patch, Sabathia’s words serve as a rallying cry for fans to give the young shortstop the space to grow into the star he was projected to be.