Per reading a Rosenthal Report and hearing Michael Kay, Andy Pettitte will be announcing his retirement today. Bad gig, lately he's showed the "other" staff members what the old man could do. In my time as a Yankee Fan I've been fortunate enough to see Ford, Guidry, and Pettitte.
I was pretty sure this was the end of the line for Pettitte but it sucks for the Yankees. Lord knows what that rotation will look like next season.
I will always remember the 1-0 game in the 1996 World Series. It didn't get much bigger than that performance. He had his bad in 1997 and 2001 but overall had a very nice career and was a great Yankee.
They will be praying that CC can bounce back and that Pineda ends up being the real deal. Nova will be in the mix as a third arm. They will have to hit the market to fill out the rotation but with Cashman in the mix that could be a disaster. He would turn around and give Josh Beckett a huge contract.
Can't blame Andy one bit - he's put a lot into this season mentally and physically at 41 years old, and probably figured all of that work got him nothing more than being the best pitcher on the staff over the last few months for a 4th place. What's his incentive for coming back next year and pitching for a team that is the hands-down favorite to finish last in the AL East?
I'm actually one of those that believe Andy took the PEDs for healing purposes only. And should not be blocked from the hall if he gets on the ballot which I think he will.
As much as I like Andy he's not a hall of famer. I believe him as well when it comes to his HGH use and it has nothing to do with that. You would have to talk about putting Mussina in first if you think Pettitte is a HOF pitcher. And then why not Jack Morris or David Wells? A good guideline to use would be Randy Johnson who is going to be in the hall. Over 300 wins, 5 cy youngs, three years where he come in second and years where he lead baseball in wins, strike outs and ERA.
Andy was a battler. He was the junk yard dog. It was a pleasure watching him over the years and I wish him well. As far as Hall of Fame, I feel he just misses but with that said, Through the years, if you had to win one game, he might be your boy.
Randy Johnson is a lock for the HOF. 5 CYAs. 4,800+ strike outs. 303-166 (646%) 10 ASGs. Led league in Ks 9 times. Only Nolan Ryan had as many (6) 300 K seasons. Twice as many as runner ups, Sandy Koufax & Curt Schilling (3). Is also only 1 of 16 pitchers since 1950 to have won at least 100 games over a 5 year span. (1998-2002) Pettitte over both Wells & Moris because of record................. Morris 254-186 3.90 ERA. 2,478 Ks, 175 CGs with 28 shutouts. Wells 239-157 4.13 ERA. 2,201 Ks, 54 CGs with 12 shutouts Pettitte 255-152 3.86 ERA. 2,437 Ks, 25 CGs with only 4 shutouts. NOTE: every pitcher that finished at least 100 games over 500 is in the hall (-Clemens)
