My Thoughts on the Career of Andy Pettitte

What can you say about the career of Andrew Eugene Pettitte? The big lefty brought the New York Yankees five World Series championships, he was a three time All-Star, an AL wins champion in 1996 and a ALCS MVP in 2001. Andy Pettitte, like Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera before him, was a walking and living legend and the epitome of being a New York Yankees player in my opinion. He loved playing baseball and he loved to win.

Andy's career was not without disappointment to the fans though and when he decided to leave for three seasons with the Houston Astros I have to say that I took it pretty personally. I think all of us were highly invested in the Yankees back in 2003 and to learn that Pettitte and Roger Clemens would be throwing strikes in Houston with the Astros for the next three seasons hurt pretty bad. Who could  blame him though? The way George Steinbrenner put him on the back burner, disrespected him and merely expected him to come back would have pushed anyone away. The wrong was righted before the 2007 allowing Pettitte to retire as a Yankee.

When Pettitte retired before the 2011 I always kind of thought he had more in the tank, and I was right as he announced that he would be back for the 2012 season. Pettitte came back no longer blowing away batters like he did back in 1996 when he out-dueled John Smoltz in that historic Game 5 of the 1996 World Series, no Andy Pettitte came back as a pitcher.

Andy Pettitte once again disappointed me when he was exposed for and admitted to using steroids while working himself back from an injury  but as everyone knows, I forgave him. I forgive all steroid users, especially those who simply wanted to get out there on the field and win for their team and win for the fans. That's all Andy wanted to do, he wanted to play the game of baseball and he wanted to win.

I have the utmost respect for the Yankees south paw that will have his #46 retired today and I thank him for everything he has done. The Yankees will too this afternoon in a pre-game ceremony before the game with the Cleveland Indians. Expect chill bumps.... I do!