CC Sabathia reached 3,000 career strikeouts and did it with style. Sitting at 2,999, he froze John Ryan Murphy on an outside slider to reach the milestone. Gary Sánchez held the frame and gave a quick fist pump as Sabathia calmly looked at the ball. There was no big reaction from Sabathia, just a quiet acknowledgment of the moment. Then came the hugs. Gleyber Torres, Tyler Wade, Thairo Estrada, Gary Sánchez, and others embraced him one by one. Even Aaron Boone, now the manager but once a teammate, got in on it.
CC’s family made their way onto the field. His son, daughters, and wife Amber joined the celebration. CC joked about needing his bat and helmet, saying he was ready to go hit now that it was a National League game. His son laughed and told him no shot. The vibe was loose, personal, and full of respect. This wasn’t just a career milestone—it was a moment with the people who’d been around him through the ups and downs. Sabathia looked relaxed, sharing laughs and hugs with teammates and family. It felt more like a family reunion than a record book entry.