Deciding to Decline on Andy

by jscape2000 on Dec 3, 2008 12:54 AM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

I had this thought last night, but couldn't quite articulate it: Andy Pettitte lied, cheated, and got caught. The Yankees stood by him.

Last November, when Pettitte said he needed more time to decide if he wanted to return, and declined his player option, the Yankees waited on him.

When he decided to return, the Yankees paid him the same $16 million he had already turned down. When that decision turned out to be fueled by Pettitte's implication in the Mitchell Report, nobody in the Yankee brass blinked. I didn't read a single leaked comment from anonymous officials complaining about Pettitte's bloated contract.

During the season, Andy said all the right things about being a Yankee, about playing in the Stadium, about not wanting to ever play any place else again.

So if he wants to keep playing, it should be as a Yankee. If he feels that $10M isn't enough "motivation" to return to the Bronx, he can go hang 'em up. If he going back to Houston to be with his family, I'll completely understand.

But I cheered this cheater when he ran on and off the field, because he'd said all the right things and all that nostalgia was there. And I'll feel insulted if he signs someplace else.

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yep

perfectly said. couldnt agree more.

"Hey Derek do you actually drive the Edge?","I don't drive that piece of crap!"

by Da Shiz on Dec 3, 2008 6:31 AM EST reply actions

Bye-bye, Andy

Last fall in Baltimore, Andy signed three baseballs for my kids. As he scribbled his name in the last ball, my oldest daughter thanked him, and told him he was her favorite Yankee no matter what. When she returned to her seat, I informed her that Andy cheated. “He said he was sorry and I forgive him,” she said. “He’s a Yankee.”

Yes, he is a Yankee. Yes, I’ve forgiven him for cheating. But if he goes to play for anyone other than the Yankees—including Houston, he’s dead in my eyes. He’s just another mealy-mouthed, money chasin’ athlete… like his good buddy Roger Clemens.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Dec 3, 2008 9:09 AM EST reply actions

Amen

He should sign and play a season in the new stadium.

We also have to consider his age and the fact his effectiveness was limited by an injured shoulder. His value is limited by questions about his health.

On the other hand he would have been a career long Yankee if they’d have been willing to just sign him when he went to Houston. The loyalty last year goes away to wash the slate from the earlier slight. But those things never really go away.

If I's known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself. Casey

by Cbeck3 on Dec 3, 2008 11:34 AM EST reply actions

What's with the image from Watchmen?

Great graphic novel, just seems a little out of place on a story.

Andy Pettitte is example #1 of journalist favoritism. Because he says the right things and is generally a nicer guy* than Roger or Barry Bonds, he gets a pass for similar bad behavior. If sports writing had higher professional standards, I think that this wouldn’t happen.

*At least that’s the impression I get. I don’t know him personally.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Dec 3, 2008 1:54 PM EST reply actions

I don't think it has all to do with favoritism. First, both

Bonds and Clemens had further to fall and were shoo ins for the HOF. Second, they lied about it. (And, I might add, continue to lie.)

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Dec 3, 2008 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with this

Pettitte and Giambi came clean and admitted they were wrong.

Nice people get cut more slack.

Both things distinguish Andy and Jason from Barry and Roger.

It’s not just the press it’s the fans too. Yankee fans can be tough. If you don’t believe me read what the site has to say about Pavano.

I just hope Andy does sign without a lot of drama.

If I's known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself. Casey

by Cbeck3 on Dec 3, 2008 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

I wanted that panel

but I could only find it as a book cover.

That’s a bottle of Nostalgia cologne- which, in context, is marketed through a false nostalgia meant only to keep the public docile and to make money. Laurie realizes the truth, and when she drops the bottle it breaks. Kind of the nostalgia for past-prime ‘championship yankees’ (who have always played for the best deal).

In retrospect, it’s a stretch, but to an insomniac at 1 a.m., it made perfect sense.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Dec 3, 2008 7:49 PM EST up reply actions