CC came through in the clutch — even in retirement.
New York Yankees great CC Sabathia joined with city leaders Tuesday to unveil an $11 million sport complex in Manhattan — at the site of a formerly “dilapidated” Harlem park.
The former lefty ace was on hand with Mayor Eric Adams and others at the previously neglected field at Brigadier Gen. Charles Young Playground, which has been converted into a 150,000-square-foot “Field of Dreams” with synthetic turf thanks to funding secured by the city and other groups, including Sabathia’s PitCCh In Foundation.
“Giving back has always been at the heart of everything I do,” the Hall of Famer and World Series winner said in a statement about the dedication for the field, set to open in spring.
“This field represents opportunity, resilience, and community—values that shaped me growing up and continue to inspire me today,” the California native added. “New York has become my second home, and I’m honored to help build brighter futures right here.”
More than $7 million of the project’s funding was secured through the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program, as well as the Manhattan Borough President’s Office and the New York City Council.
Additional cash was funneled from Sabathia’s PitCCh In Foundation, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players’ Association Youth Development Fund as well as some private donors.
The mayor said the complex would be a game changer for area kids to stay out of trouble, with a City Hall rep saying it will be one of the largest athletic fields in the five boroughs.
“So many young people are going to use this opportunity, not only to play professional sports, but to receive scholarships to prestigious institutions and to learn the discipline that’s associated with playing a sport,” Adams said.
Other upgrades to the former dirt field include improved drainage, a new synthetic turf surface, drinking fountains, fencing, backstops, benches, dugouts and a cooling mist system.
The massive renovation, first announced at Adams’ State of the City address earlier this year, is a key step to overhauling public safety with free programming for young people outside of school activities, Hizzoner said.
Notably, free clinics will be offered on the new field through the city’s Saturday Night Lights youth activities program.
“Having no place to go and nothing to do, it is a recipe for disaster,” Adams said. “It was probably one of the well-known sayings: ‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ Well, we’re closing down the devil’s workshop by giving these children a Field of Dreams.”
The overhaul builds on new asphalt for the main basketball court and the conversion of a basketball into a soccer pitch completed in 2023, City Hall said.
The field house bathrooms are set to be upgraded later with $2.5 million in funding from City Hall, City Council and the Manhattan Borough President’s Office.
“We know the power of sport and recreation,” Adams added. “It brings us together, it can change lives, it is universal, and having recreational spaces for our children to play brings stronger communities.”
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