Yankee Doodle Andy

Say goodbye to the "death stare."
Andy Pettitte, the third all-time winningest pitcher in Yankees history is calling it a career today.
Not good for the Yanks who are short on starting pitching.
But good for Pettitte. I'm glad he's going out after an all-star season in 2010 in which he went 11-3 with a 3.24 ERA. Those numbers would have been better had he not had a groin injury much of the second half of the season. I'd rather see Pettitte retire a year too early than a year too late.
Pettitte's 203 wins in pinstripes trail only Whitey Ford (236) and Red Ruffing (231). Overall, Pettitte won 240 games (37 with the Astros) with just 128 losses and an ERA of 3.88.
Don't forget his 19 post-season wins and 5 World Series Championships.
When I think of Pettitte, several memories come to mind.
First off, Opening Day, 1996 when he beat the Royals at Yankee Stadium on a cold and snowy day.
Later that year, he outdueled John Smoltz in Game 5 World Series, a 1-0 Yankees win over the Braves. That gave the Yankees a 3-2 series edge. It was also the last game ever played in old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium.
On the negative side, with the Yanks having a chance to win the 2001 World Series, Pettitte had perhaps the worst game of his career in Game 6. He gave up 6 earned runs to the Diamondbacks in just 2-innings. He was 0-2 in that series. I would bet that of all the games Pettitte threw in his career, that is one game he would like to have back.
Overall though, I'll miss the death stare of Pettitte, peeking over his glove with the brim of his hat pulled down, a look of pure intensity. I'll also remember his pickoff move and how he shut down opposing team's running games.
Is Pettitte a Hall of Famer? I think he'll probably fall short from the voters. His short-time use of HGH, which he admitted, will haunt him but not as much as others. Pettitte came clean about his use when he played for the Astros. He said it was to help him overcome an elbow injury and of all the lame excuses players use to cover up or justify using banned drugs, Pettitte is one of the few guys who sounded genuine and remorseful.
If I had a Hall of Fame vote, I don't think Pettitte would get it. Nonetheless, he was a great pitcher and one day should have his number retired by the Yankees. Too bad he won't be going after a 6th World Series title this year...unless he gets the itch midway through the season and...well, maybe there will be more to the story. I think he's retired for good but you never know.