CLEVELAND -- Last month, CC Sabathia made what will likely be his final career start in Cleveland.
But with his former home city serving as the center of the baseball universe, the New York Yankees starter will make a brief return to the stadium he spent the first eight years of his career.
On Friday, Major League Baseball announced that it will honor Sabathia at next week's All-Star Game, which will take place at Progressive Field. Sabathia, who has announced that the 2019 season will be his last, spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Indians before being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008.
"Sabathia will be recognized for his contributions to the game and his longtime service to the community prior to the 90th Midsummer Classic," MLB said in a press release.
Added league commissioner Rob Manfred: "We are delighted that CC and his family will join us in Cleveland, where his Major League career began. We look forward to celebrating his many accomplishments during our All-Star Game festivities."
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 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," the 38-year-old 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.
The 2019 MLB All-Star Game will take place at Progressive Field on Tuesday, July 9.
