With CC Sabathia heading into Cooperstown, take a look back at the 2008 season finale that launched the Brewers into the playoffs.

The complete story of how the Brewers landed big left-hander CC Sabathia in July 2008, setting the stage for a once-in-a-generation run.

The record books reflect that the best in-season trade in Brewers history happened on July 7, 2008. But thanks to an inside man, CC Sabathia saw it coming. “Dave Riske, one of my lifetime friends,” Sabathia said with a laugh.

The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced the 2025 Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday, with Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dick Allen

In one of the most incredible runs the franchise had ever seen, the Milwaukee Brewers lost only three of CC Sabathia's 17 regular-season starts after he was acquired in July 2008.

Here's the best chance for a Hall of Famer from this group. The four-time All-Star won the NLCS MVP and World Series MVP in 2008, when the Phillies won their first World Series since 1980 and second overall.

Even in Wisconsin, Ryan Braun is polarizing. When he becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame next year, how long will he last on the ballot?

The leading 2025 vote-getters who will return to the 2026 ballot are Carlos Beltran (70.3%), Andruw Jones (66.2%) and Chase Utley (39.8%), along a handful of other holdovers. In addition to Hamels and Braun, 2026 first-timers will include Edwin Encarnacion, Howie Kendrick, Shin-Soo Choo and Alex Gordon.

After Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, attention turns to the ballot for 2026.

Also newly eligible next year are Matt Kemp, the runner-up to Braun for that MVP, as well as 2016 Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello and longtime Kansas City Royals standout Alex Gordon.

Baseball Hall of Fame class is absolutely stacked. On Tuesday night, the Baseball Writers' Association of America voted in three new members to Cooperstown: Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.

Ichiro Suzuki is the first Japanese-born player voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He'll be joined by CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner in the Class of 2025.