Andy Pettitte Retires

Yankees' pitcher Andy Pettitte told the Yankees earlier today not to count on his return to Spring Training. Pettitte stated that he will officially announce his retirement on Friday at 10:30 A.M. at Yankee Stadium. The 38 year-old is the all-time leader in postseason wins with 19, 42 starts, and 263 innings pitched. I must say, that these are very respectable numbers for any pitcher to take the mound. Pettitte has pitched with the Yankees for 13 seasons, played in the Majors for 16. He won five World Series Championships with the Yankees in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009. Not only is he an amazing pitcher in the post season, but has 240 career wins total, 13th-most by a left-hander in Major League History. "Andy played with a competitive spirit that brought out the best in the teams he played for, and he exemplified this franchise's commitment and will to win. He was an anchor for the tremendous success our team has achieved since the mid-1990s," Hal and Hank Steinbrenner said in a statement on Thursday. Pettitte was a very valuable asset to the Yankees' organization giving him the ever-so-popular nickname, "Andy Pennant." But it is very fitting, because in his career he has pitched for 8 pennant winners and 12 postseason teams. Joe Torre recalls Andy Pettitte's performances, "He liked the fact that he wasn't the No. 1 guy even though I trusted him like a No. 1 guy. But he didn't have an ego that dictated he needed all that attention." Many speculate that Pettitte's loss to Cliff Lee in the 2010 postseason and late injury turned him off coming back for the 2011 season. Others state that it could be the fact that he has to testify as a prosecution witness in the upcoming government perjury trial of Rodger Clemens, teammate in New York and Houston. Pettitte told Congressional investigators that Clemens admitted to HGH use in 1999 or 2000.  But Pettitte has stated the main reason is that he misses his family and would like to return to his home. Andy Pettitte, you had an amazing career and I respect you as a pitcher and a person. I wish you luck with anything you do in the future and hope your records hold strong.