When Sabathia struck out former Yankees’ catcher John Ryan Murphy for his 3,000th strikeout, the lefty became only the 17th Major League pitcher to ever accomplish this feat. Additionally, Sabathia is now only one of three left-handers to reach this milestone (Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson).
If you had asked me before writing this piece if Sabathia was a Hall of Famer, I would have said no-doubt. I wouldn’t have even hesitated. He has excellent overall numbers and many personal achievements with the Indians, Brewers, and Yankees. Heck, I even thought he was a first-ballot caliber player.