Even though the value of wins has been somewhat discredited by the modern focus on sabermetrics, amassing 20 victories in one season remains a notable milestone for a starting pitcher.
Since 1901, 476 different pitchers have started at least one game for the Yankees, but only 35 have made it to the 20-win mark. Included among that group is CC Sabathia, who recorded 21 victories in 2010. Apparently not content with one such season, the Yankees’ ace has been at it again in 2011. As a result, the big lefty takes the mound tonight with the chance to make it back-to-back years with 20 victories.
Multiple 20-Win Seasons by Yankees’ Starters
| Pitcher | Seasons | Pitcher | Seasons | |
| Bob Shawkey | 4 | Carl Mays | 2 | |
| Lefty Gomez | 4 | Herb Pennock | 2 | |
| Red Ruffing | 4 | Russ Ford | 2 | |
| Vic Raschi | 3 | Spud Chandler | 2 | |
| Jack Chesbro | 3 | Tommy John | 2 | |
| Mel Stottlemyre | 3 | Waite Hoyt | 2 | |
| Ron Guidry | 3 | Whitey Ford | 2 | |
| Andy Pettitte | 2 | CC Sabathia | ? |
Source: Baseball-reference.com
The Yankees have had 15 different pitchers win 20 games in at least two seasons, so if Sabathia is able to notch a victory in one of his final three starts, he’ll join a list that includes Hall of Famers like Red Ruffing, Lefty Gomez, and Whitey Ford. What’s more, by winning 20 games in consecutive seasons, Sabathia would become a member of even more select fraternity that includes only 10 pinstriped hurlers.
Consecutive 20-Win Seasons by Yankees’ Starters
| Combined Totals | ||||||
| Pitcher | Years | IP | W | SO | ERA | WHIP |
| Jack Chesbro | 1903-1904 | 779 1/3 | 62 | 386 | 2.22 | 1.027 |
| Russ Ford | 1910-1911 | 581 | 48 | 367 | 1.95 | 1.017 |
| Bob Shawkey | 1919-1920 | 529 | 40 | 248 | 2.59 | 1.212 |
| Carl Mays | 1920-1921 | 648 2/3 | 53 | 162 | 3.05 | 1.236 |
| Waite Hoyt | 1927-1928 | 529 1/3 | 45 | 153 | 3.01 | 1.200 |
| Lefty Gomez | 1931-1932 | 508 1/3 | 45 | 326 | 3.47 | 1.302 |
| Red Ruffing | 1936-1939 | 1008 | 82 | 455 | 3.29 | 1.278 |
| Vic Raschi | 1949-1951 | 789 2/3 | 63 | 443 | 3.53 | 1.354 |
| Mel Stottlemyre | 1968-1969 | 581 2/3 | 41 | 253 | 2.65 | 1.155 |
| Tommy John | 1979-1980 | 541 2/3 | 43 | 189 | 3.19 | 1.217 |
Source: Baseball-reference.com
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