It is a sad day for Yankees fans everywhere, with starting pitcher Andy Pettitte announcing today that he is retiring from baseball at the age of 38. Pettitte has contemplated retirement for the past few seasons, but today he finally called it quits.
Pettitte leaves the Yankees with 5 world series rings, from 1996,98,99,2000 and 2009. Pettitte is also the winningest pitcher in postseason history. No one has more win than this man right here, who has been described as having fire and ice in his veins.
I was there in 2009 to see Pettitte pitch the Yankees to victory in game 6 at the new Yankees Stadium, and it is a moment I will remember forever. Pettitte was a favorite of many fans, including myself, despite him admitting him using HGH (Human Growth Hormone). Its not a steroid, so its not really that bad.
Pettitte decided to retire because he wanted to spend more time with his family and see his kids grow. He has 4 kids, all of which he wants to see grow up (his oldest son is 16). Pettitte lives in texas, so the grind of 162 game baseball season, basically being away for 6 months, really took a toll on Pettitte. Pettitte stated he could pitch, but his heart doesn't have the desire too.
All in all, I enjoyed watching Andy Pettitte pitch throughout his great careeer ( and to think, George Steinbrenner almost traded him during the 1999 season). He was a great pitcher, clutch and I will always remember him holding his glove over his face, his eyes just staring the opposing batters down. Pettittes absence is big for the Yankees going into 2011. Their rotation is thin, but hopefully Andy decides to come back midway during the year, and we get one more look at this great pitcher.
Have a great retirement Pettitte.
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