Mutual Respect Between Yankees’ CC Sabathia and Red Sox’ Victor Martinez

Victor Martinez and CC Sabathia experienced success together with the Cleveland Indians, and according to The Boston Globe, the Yankees left-hander thinks Martinez will do well as the Red Sox' full-time catcher this season.

Martinez credits Sabathia, though, for much of his success as a major league catcher.

"CC let me take charge of the game for him. He let me call the pitches and it was only a few times he shook me off," Martinez told The Globe. "After catching him, it was easier to catch everybody else."

Martinez was Cleveland's full-time catcher from 2004-07, a four-year span in which Sabathia lowered his ERA each season. Sabathia sees Martinez as a true game manager behind the plate. 

"He's a big-time leader," Sabathia said. "You can see the passion that he plays with and how much he cares. That's just him."

Martinez will see Sabathia on April 4 when the Yankees battle the Red Sox on opening night at Fenway Park. The Red Sox catcher will be happy to see his former teammate, but he understands they don't play together in Cleveland anymore.

"Catching CC was one of the greatest things that happened to me in baseball," Martinez said. “But those days with Cleveland are over. I catch for the Red Sox now. This is my team."