Andy Pettitte announced his retirement this past week. Is he done for good
Only Andy knows but something tells me the answer is no. Pettitte is competitive and the draw of the game will pull at him during the course of the season. I suspect in large part his decision to retire came about due to…
A: His impending testimony in the Roger Clemens perjury trial would be a distraction to the team, and himself during spring training and throughout the first few months of the season. Pettitte is a creature of habit and he does not like to have anything interfere with his normal routines.
I believe Pettitte will silently work out through June, testify and wait for the call in July to help the Yankees if they are still in the hunt. It happens all the time, and will again in New York if the conditions are right.
B: Retiring now allows him to spend the time he wants with his family, watching his kids play ball in school, something he has missed over his career and has been very public about. If he comes back it will be in the summer when his kids are out of school.
Don’t forget, his family supposedly wants him to play…Andy is going to have a hard time not wanting to when he is free of some of his obligations.
Is Any Pettitte a Hall of Fame Pitcher?
In my opinion, as a left hander, you bet your behind he is. However my opinion and a bag of socks don’t matter in the real world.
On paper, Pettitte’s numbers are Hall worthy. His winning percentage as a lefty, his post season play—it’s all good.
However, the Hall of Fame is an elitist society voted on by narrow minded people that rarely base there decisions fairly.
Pettitte’s failing to reach the 300 win milestone, while not a specific criteria, will be a problem for some voters. The fact that he pitched the majority of his career for the Yankees is another problem for some voters (and don’t tell me it won’t….there is a prejudiced in Hall voting) and the PED allegations and his subsequent confession will hurt his chances greatly.
He should be in…but it took Blyleven forever and performance enhancing drugs were never in the conversation in regards to his consideration.
Sadly I fear that Pettitte will never hear the call for the Hall.
If the Yankees landed Cliff Lee would Pettitte be pitching for New York this year?
If the Yankees could have landed Cliff Lee, Pettitte would be reporting to Tampa on February 14th relaxed and eager to pitch yet another season. I am completely convinced of that.
Why? Andy is many things, but he is not stupid. He sees the current state of the Yankee rotation without Lee in it and therefore his role changes dramatically with or without Lee.
With Lee on board, Pettitte would easily slip into the third slot in the rotation with little pressure. He would be able to just go do his thing every 5 days. With Lee, the prospect of winning increases greatly.
Lee stated he joined the Phillies because their rotation could be historic. Pettitte might have thought the same thing in being part of a rotation with Sabathia, Lee, Hughes and Himself.
Not so historic or tempting without Lee in the mix.
Without Lee, Pettitte all the sudden moves up to the number 2 slot and must be a savior. Would you want to come back under those conditions in the pressure cooking, must win every year powder keg that is New York?
Winning, without Lee in the rotation, is less of a certainty.
If the Yankees, with their patchwork, retread rotation, can somehow stay in the hunt come July I would not be afraid to be the House that Cashman makes a call to Deer Park…and that call will be answered.
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