New York Yankees Pitcher Andy Pettitte Retires

Monday, 07 February 2011 21:22

By David Wu (Photos: Courtesy New York Yankees)

After playing sixteen Major League seasons, thirteen of those with the New York Yankees, pitcher Andy Pettitte announced his retirement at a press conference at the stadium in the Bronx.

Pettitte concludes a brilliant career with the Yankees highlighted by five World Series championships and finishing third on the team’s all-time list for most victories behind Hall of Fame pitchers Whitey Ford and Red Ruffing.

“This is a day I knew eventually was going to come,” said Pettitte. “This was not an easy decision for me but I know it’s the right one.”

Pettitte, 38, admits he is capable of pitching in 2011 if he chose too, but reacting on his gut feeling following last season’s loss to the Rangers in the ALCS he realized it was time to hang up his spikes.

When I left Arlington Stadium at the end of last year I felt like I was done,” said the lefthander. “But I am ready to go to Spring Training right now if I needed to. My arm feels great and my body feels great. My body is where it needs to be, but my heart isn’t where it needs to be.”

In 2010, Pettitte finished the season with an 11-3 record with a 3.28 ERA in 129.0 innings pitched, making only 21 starts due to a strained left groin injury which landed him on the disabled list from July 19 to September 18. Pettitte was able to return for the post-season defeating the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS before losing the final start of his career to the Texas Rangers in Game 3 of the ALCS. During the off-season,

Pettitte admits that he never began rehab or his typical regimen to prepare for an upcoming season, but expected if he did in fact plan on pitching in 2011 that he would be ready.

But with Pettitte’s decision to retire, the New York Yankees and the game of baseball lose more than just a pitcher on the mound every five days, but also a professional both on and off the field.

“It’s been a pleasure to play with Andy for all these years,” said Yankees captain, Derek Jeter. “But more importantly it’s been an honor to get to know him as a person. The Yankees have been fortunate to have him representing the organization.”

Five-time American League All-Star and longtime teammate Mariano Rivera also shared his feelings on what Pettitte brought to the Bronx Bombers as a player and a person.

“Andy was a great teammate and a wonderful guy,” said Rivera. “He was a fighter and all about winning and he was respected by every person in the clubhouse.”

Selected in the 22^nd round of the 1990 First-Year Player Draft, Pettitte debuted for the Yankees in 1995 posting a 12-9 record including three complete games in 26 starts. In 2004, the three-time All-Star left New York and joined the Houston Astros, pitching three seasons back home in Texas until re-joining the Yankees in 2007 to play out the remainder of his career.

“It’s all been very special,” said Pettitte. “I would like to thank the New York Yankees organization for everything and especially for bringing me back. I would also like to thank all the great players I had the chance to play with and the opportunity to play for a World Series championship every season.”

Over the years, it was always quite apparent how special Pettitte was to the Yankees organization, its managers, coaching staffs and players alike. He put his team first and played as a fierce competitor expecting nothing but his best every fifth day.

“Andy was one of my favorite teammates in my entire career,” said former Yankees first baseman Tino Martinez. “He is a great person off the field and in the clubhouse, he cared about the team winning and he wasn’t interested in his personal stats.”

Former manager Joe Torre added, “He’s been a huge favorite of mine because he’s such a stand up guy, and he hasn’t changed since day one. He’s a great teammate, and I think that’s why he won so many games. The guys that play behind him understand how intense he is, and it becomes contagious.”

That intensity on the mound led to the Louisiana native to appear in eight World Series, winning the Fall Classic in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009. Pettitte holds the all-time record for most post-season wins finishing with a 19-10 record and a 3.83 ERA in 42 starts.

Although the effect Pettitte had on the organization ran deeper than his pitching, the southpaw compiled a career record of 203-112 with a 3.98 ERA. In the Yankees history books, Pettitte is ranked second all-time in both strikeouts with 1,823 and games started with 396. He was a true workhorse of the pitching staff.

“Andy exemplified this franchise’s commitment and will to win, said Managing General partner Hal Steinbrenner. “A person and player the caliber of Andy Pettitte does not come around often, and he has earned the right to be considered among the greats that have worn the Pinstripes.”

Pettitte displayed those Yankee pinstripes with pride and excelled year-after-year on the mound in becoming one of the team’s winningest pitchers of all time and a fan favorite in the Bronx.

But as Spring Training of 2011 crept up slowly, Pettitte admits the fire and will to compete is not what it once was, and without it, he would let down himself, his family and his teammates.

“The desire to compete like I know I have to, just isn’t there,” said Pettitte. “When I was thinking about packing my bags again and leaving, I knew it was time to call it quits.”

Pettite, his wife Laura and their family will enjoy the summer months relaxing on vacation before he begins the next chapter in his life.