Last Tip of the Cap for Andy Pettitte?

by nyyrocks29 on Nov 5, 2009 9:58 PM EST Comment 19 comments

Andy Pettitte has been in pinstripes for many years. He's won 5 World Championships. He's pitched and won many big postseason games (including last night). He's pitched in both Yankee Stadiums. He's accomplished practically anything he could possibly want in his career.

So you have to wonder, is this it for Andy Pettitte?

Last season, this was a discussion, except it was about Mike Mussina. Moose was one of my favorite Yankees starters ever. It was great to watch him pitch last season. And it upset me when he retired. Andy is one of my favorite pitchers of all time as well, and it would hurt just as much, if not more, if he decided to hang it up after this year.

He said, "I have to talk to my family". He's been saying that every year, and always he comes back. This past offseason, the main lure for his return was the New Yankee Stadium, and one more World Championship. He just got both. So now, you have to wonder, and I have to wonder, were we watching Andy Pettitte tip his last cap when he jogged off the mound in Game 6 of the World Series?

Poll

Will Andy Pettitte Retire?

Yes

35 votes

No

101 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I hope he comes back

Andy has been and will always be a great Yankee and a great guy.

But if he wants to go out on top, you have to respect it and be happy for him.

This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.

by Lord Duggan on Nov 5, 2009 10:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

As much as I want him to come back,

I have a feeling he’s going to end up going out on top. And if he does, I’ll be tipping my cap right back at him.

"To the second baseman Cano, THE YANKEES ARE BACK ON TOP!!! WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE 27TH TIME!"

-Joe Buck. 11/4/2009

by nck228 on Nov 5, 2009 10:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He's got to do what's best...

I mean…the fan in me wants Andy to pitch till he’s 90 with the Yanks..yet, you gotta be real….no one really thought Andy would be Andy this season, especially after he wasn’t all that Andy last year.

So, he wants to come back. Let em, tho only if its a contract like this years (which I can’t see it being anything different).

He wants to go…damn Andy, you were one of the greats (and underrated ones..)

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 5, 2009 10:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lets not forget he should have had atleast 3-4 more wins...

On his record this year had it not been for the O going M.I.A…

There were times this year andy was just locked IN….But i know it wont last….we were lucky to get Mussina for 20 wins last year….And we were VERY LUCKY…to get the andy we had this year…I wont be surprised (not like we’d \ever know) if he calls mussina to ask for his 2 cents…

All i know is…he’s a legend in NY….and will always be treated like one….

by NYYWinsRings26 on Nov 5, 2009 11:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Although I would love to see him back for another season, I have a fealing that we have seen that last of Andy.

by yankeeken on Nov 6, 2009 12:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think he will come back.

They can use him. He can still pitch. He is an absolute Warrior.

by bronx joey on Nov 6, 2009 1:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

My Favorite..

Two months ago I was asked who my favorite yankee was. It is Andy Pettitte. My friend laughed, he said it should be C.C. Andy is the definition of a big game pitcher. He never ceases to amaze fans, and his 3 clinching wins this post season were very exciting to watch. I do think he’ll return for another year, but if not, he went in style.

@b$

by abs2sweet on Nov 6, 2009 1:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

by ACPhoenix on Nov 6, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A part of me wants him to come back

but another part feels that there’s no better way for him to end his career than him guiding this team to another championship.

Andy Pettitte, the person, is a stand up guy and Andy Pettitte, the pitcher, is a fine one. Who else would his teammates (and us fans) want more than him to pitch in a big game? To work out of a big spot? A pitcher doesn’t have the longevity and success that Andy has had on sheer talent. Heart and determination are important for pitchers and athletes in general. And Andy epitomizes that as good as anyone.

I was upset when Moose decided to retire too and if Andy decides to retire, it will be a sad day in the Yankees Universe but we will be there for him all the way; cheering him on and thanking him for everything he’s done and for being Andy Pettitte.

Play today, win today, ‘das it.

by noonoo on Nov 6, 2009 2:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I really hope he comes back

If for no other reason than that the Yankees need him. Sure there are other pitchers on the market, but how many that you would trust with the ball in their hands in a big game in October?

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Nov 6, 2009 2:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well, if we're talking about gas in the tank --

There’s still plenty.

by Solomon96 on Nov 6, 2009 10:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know. I'm thinking he'll only get a 1 year contract.

If you couple that with Jeter’s, Mo, and Posada’s contracts expiring in all the same year.

You’ll have some real drama. I don’t think my heart will be able to take it.

Yankees all day.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

by Onishadow14 on Nov 6, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Posada still has 2 years

Jeets and Mo expire next year, but they will be re-upped for sure

by Brian5517209 on Nov 6, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jeter will definitely be resigned

Mo will if he keeps playing. Hopefully he keeps his word and will pitch for 5 more years!!!!

I think Posada is done after his contract though. Hopefully Montero will be ready by then.

by nyyrocks29 on Nov 6, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Andy will be back

While there are a lot of rational reasons for Andy to retire ( going out on top, having pitched in the new Yankee Stadium, spending more time with his family ) my gut tells me that Andy will be back for at least one more year (and possibly more). Why? Andy was healthy this year and, when he can pitch without pain, he can still win. I also think Andy loves being a Yankee and loves being able to still play along with Jeter, Mo, Posada as well as being a mentor to some of the younger players. As to the family issues, let’s be realistic. Although during the season players are not able to spend as much time with their family, they have much more full time with their family (3-4 months) than most people in the working place. Andy is only 37 years old. If he leaves baseball now, he’ll never return unless it is as an announcer or coach. The bottom line is -- he can still pitch well and contributes in a big way to the Yankees success. I’ll actually be very surprised if he doesn’t return next season.

by Jeff I on Nov 6, 2009 7:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope he returns

but after watching Mussina walk last year, without a championship and without pitching in the new ballpark, it shows that some players have different priorities. Point is, Mussina retired last year when there were still things left to accomplish in his career. He could have gotten 300 wins. He could have won a championship. He could have gotten 3000 strikeouts. He could have pitched in the New Yankee Stadium. There were more reasons for him to return last year than to not. And he still retired.

Pettitte, on the other hand, really doesn’t have any more personal milestones to accomplish. He has no shot at 300 wins. He already has his championships. He already has his reputation as a great Yankee and one of the best big game pitchers in baseball history. I know he’s young enough to pitch and still has the ability to be successful, but since he’s really accomplished everything he could, I’m not sure if he wants to devote his entire life to his family like Moose did.

I hope he comes back. I really do. It makes everything easier next year, and hopefully will help the Yankees put JOBA BACK IN THE BULLPEN!!!!!

by nyyrocks29 on Nov 6, 2009 10:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs