Of all the dramatic things! Oh my goodness gracious! Andy Pettitte is coming back!
Even though Andy Pettitte is one of my all-time favorite Yankee players, I have to say I'm not so sure that him coming back in 2012 is such a great idea. For one thing, he's going to be 40 years old this summer. I know Pettitte says he's mentally ready, determined, will work as hard as physically possible, blah blah blah, but Father Time stops for nobody, not even Andy Pettitte. Not to mention how much injury time Pettitte missed over the past few years, and could miss again.
In addition, other than Jamie Moyer and Mariano Rivera, how many pitchers are successful into their forties? And the reason we remember them is because they are so rare.
Lots of Yankee fans were excited when Roger Clemens came back, but he ran out of gas in about three months. So did Pedro Martinez with his go-round with the Philadelphia Phillies. Could that happen with Andy?
At any rate, I'm kind of astonished that Brian Cashman would offer Pettitte in December $10-12 million for one year, according to various news reports. Paying a pitcher heading close to 40 that kind of money, when he hasn't pitched in a year, is a bit wacky. The current $2.5 million contract is much more sensible, though.
I also really liked the way Mike Mussina and Paul O'Neill retired, and I thought Pettitte would stick to that -- go through your last year, play well, and leave people wanting more. It will make me very sad if Pettitte embarrasses himself on the field this year.
Look, I'm not trying to be a hater here. I hope I am wrong. But I'm not sure if pulling a Brett Favre here was the best of ideas for Pettitte. If he ends up having a great year, I will be happy to eat my words. But right now, I'd hate to see him tamper with his great Yankee legacy by having a sub-par season.
What do you think about Andy Pettitte coming back? Tell us about it!
2 comments:
I have no emotion attachment to Andy Pettitte, so I'm viewing his return with more curiosity than any other emotion. It's a neat story if he can come back and pitch effectively after a year away from the game, and it's not a big deal if he looks like a 40-year-old who should be thinking about future Old-Timer's Day appearances.
Maybe if he is used as a #5 starter during the season it might work than if he is still looking solid in October he moves to a #2 starter.
Dreaming him as the winner of game 7 of the world series with Mo getting the save, Jeter getting a game winning RBI then all 3 of them retiring going out on top as hero's
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