CC Sabathia had an emotional exit after an injury knocked him out of his possible finale

CC Sabathia has had an incredible career which very well might have come to a painful and emotional end in Thursday’s Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros.

The lefty, who has spent the last 11 years of his 19-year career with the New York Yankees, came in as relief in the 8th inning but had to leave the game in the middle of an at-bat due to an  injury.

The future Hall of Famer, who will retire after the playoffs, tried his best to stay in the game and the crowd chanted his name, hoping they could will him to stay in for just a little bit longer. But it wasn’t meant to be, as Sabathia left with the bases loaded and the Yankees down 7-3.

Houston would go on to win the game and grab a 3-1 lead in the series.

Everyone, including the Astros, gave Sabathia the special ovation that he deserved:

After appearing to experience some discomfort on the mound, CC Sabathia leaves the game. Yankees fans give him a standing ovation as he walks off the field. pic.twitter.com/rLf7v0vM5s

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 18, 2019

A deserved ovation for CC. pic.twitter.com/uXZCmoToBN

— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2019

Twitter reacted to the special moment:

People will say that this is a sad way for CC Sabathia to end his career, but I disagree: There is no shame in pitching until your body literally cannot pitch anymore.

— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) October 18, 2019

CC Sabathia pitched his ass off until his body straight-up stopped cooperating.

— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) October 18, 2019

Heartbreaking, but CC Sabathia pitching until his body broke is an appropriate way for it to end. That dude was a warrior.

— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) October 18, 2019

CC Sabathia leaves game with injury, and gets a standing ovation, likely having thrown the last pitch of his Hall of Fame career.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 18, 2019

CC Sabathia is baseball's active leader in: wins, losses, games started, complete games, innings, hits allowed, earned runs, homers allowed, walks, strikeouts, and batters faced, among other things. Hell of a career, if it just ended. pic.twitter.com/5KRyZc4L2X

— Ben Reiter (@BenReiter) October 18, 2019

251 wins, 3,093 strikeouts, a Cy Young award and a World Series trophy.

CC Sabathia has had an incredible career. If this is the end, he deserves all the affection he receives.pic.twitter.com/5d2OZRz2Nt

— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) October 18, 2019

Players with ✅250 Wins ✅3000 K ✅Cy Young ✅Postseason (LCS or WS) MVP:

CC Sabathia
Randy Johnson
Bob Gibson

— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) October 18, 2019

Tough to see CC Sabathia go out that way.
One of the best lefties ever.
Hats off to the guy.

— Astros Rants (@AstrosRants) October 18, 2019