Former Yankees weigh in on absence of Old-Timers' Day game

NEW YORK – CC Sabathia has a rebuilt left shoulder, having exhausted everything during a decorated 19-year MLB career.

Still, the 44-year-old former Yankees’ workhorse would have loved to deliver a few pitches at a Yankee Stadium Old Timers’ Day game, had it not been discontinued.

“I’m still (ticked) we’re not playing,’’ said Sabathia, although his shoulder is “just good for catch and golf.’’

In lieu of an Old-Timers’ Day game, there was another Q & A session with the assembled cast, led enthusiastically by legendary radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman and Joe Girardi.

Saturday was a celebration of the 2009 world champion Yankees team managed by Girardi. Only one of those players, Texas Rangers reliever David Robertson, is still currently in the majors.

Sabathia suggested that maybe even a softball game would fill the bill, though his sentiment for playing an Old-Timers’ Day baseball game wasn’t equaled by some of his old teammates.

Hideki Matsui, who once homered in an Old-Timers’ Day game off David Cone, was essentially on the fence, while ex-catcher Jorge Posada seemed relieved that there was no game.

As for Sabathia, “he’s in better shape (now) than when he was pitching,’’ Posada said of his slimmed-down former teammate.

Derek Jeter squashed any idea that his presence at Old-Timers’ Day was predicated on there being no game.

“You’re giving me way too much power here,’’ the former Yankees’ captain said at that suggestion.

But if there had been a game, Jeter would have been on the bench.

“They’re not going to see me hit again. I’d be afraid I’d hurt myself,’’ said Jeter, who turned 50 this year. “That’s not saying that’s the reason there’s no game. I’m not playing.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Former Yankees weigh in on absence of Old-Timers' Day game