CC Sabathia Reveals His Top Four New York City Athletes of All Time

Who deserves a spot on the Mount Rushmore of New York City sports? This intriguing question was tackled by legendary Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia in the latest episode of “MLB According to CC.” Joined by co-host Ahmed Fareed, Sabathia shared his top four modern-era athletes, stirring up a lively discussion about the icons who have defined New York’s rich sports landscape.

In a move that surprised no one, Sabathia placed his former teammate Derek Jeter at the pinnacle of his list. With five World Series rings to his name, Jeter’s legacy as a Yankee is unparalleled. “Derek Jeter’s got to be No. 1 with five rings,” Sabathia stated, underscoring the shortstop’s monumental impact on the franchise and the game.

Next on Sabathia’s list was another New York sports titan, former Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Sabathia highlighted Manning’s unforgettable role in thwarting the unbeaten 2007 Patriots’ Super Bowl aspirations, a moment that solidified Manning’s status in the hearts of Giants fans. The third spot was occupied by Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who recently captured an NBA Championship. Sabathia passionately remarked, “Knicks need to put the statue in front of MSG for Jalen Brunson,” emphasizing Brunson’s significance in the franchise’s storied history.

Completing Sabathia’s quartet was the legendary closer Mariano Rivera, another former Yankee who spent his entire career in pinstripes. Rivera’s embodiment of what it means to be a Yankee earned him praise from Sabathia, who recognized the closer’s contributions to the team’s success. Additionally, Sabathia acknowledged the remarkable Jackie Robinson, a Brooklyn Dodger and sports icon, for his groundbreaking influence on baseball and the community.

Fareed contributed his own selections for the legends “Mount Rushmore,” featuring Yankees greats Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, the formidable Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, and Islanders legends Mike Bossy and Denis Potvin. Each choice reflects the diverse and rich history of New York’s athletic achievements.

Fans can catch new episodes of CC Sabathia and Ahmed Fareed every Wednesday on NBC Sports NOW, NBCSN, YouTube, and wherever podcasts are available.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.