Congrats to Pettitte, Yankees

November 5, 1:59 AMHouston Astros ExaminerStephen Goff

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Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte (left) and superstar Alex Rodriguez (right) hold the 2009 World Series championship trophy together after the Yankees closed out the Series against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday night in the Bronx with a 7-3 win. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte, a Deer Park, Texas, resident, strolled to the mound Wednesday night for Game 6 in the Bronx looking to close out the 2009 World Series against the National League champions Philadelphia Phillies and future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez on just three days rest.

Back in 1996, Pettitte, at 24-years-old, was given the ball by manager Joe Torre with the task of leading the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves.
 
In what turned out to be an extraordinary pitchers' duel between the young Pettitte and All-Star John Smoltz, the crafty left-hander put the Yankees up 3-2 in the Series after recording 8 1/3 shutout innings, en route to getting his first World Series ring as a Yankee.
 
Pettitte still gets it done

Now, 13 years and three additional World Series rings later, Pettitte, 37, tossed 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on four hits with five walks and three strikeouts to close the door on Martinez and the Phillies in a 7-3 win.

During the 2009 World Series, Pettitte posted a 2-0 record with a 5.40 ERA over 11 2/3 innings. It wasn't pretty at times, but his experience, hunger and passion carried his 37-year-old body to his fifth World Series title over his 15-year career.

He's a fan favorite in New York, as well as throughout the city of Houston. He graduated from Deer Park High School in 1990, where he met his future wife, Laura, before attending San Jacinto (TX) JC.

As a 22nd round selection by New York, Pettitte provides hope to all lower-round draft picks with dreams of pitching in the big leagues. He proves that it's possible to climb the minor league ladder and be a difference maker in the majors. 

When one reflects on the modern-day Yankees, names such as Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera come to mind. All four players have something significant in common -- they won their fifth World Series title together with the Yankees Wednesday.

Spending money pays dividends

Owner George Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman broke the piggy bank this past offseason by signing CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira to lucrative contracts. They were fully committed to winning a World Series this season after a nine-year drought by adding the necessary pieces.

Yes, the Yankees spend more money than any team in baseball. It's easy to say they bought the World Series title this season.

Why not -- their lineup features Jeter, Johnny Damon, Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Posada and Hideki Matsui. And don't forget their rotation of Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain and the greatest closer of all time in Rivera executing in the late innings. 

Despite the big-name players, the Yankees' egos still had to mesh in the clubhouse in order to perform well on the field.

In the past, team chemistry has been an issue.

By adding the leadership of Sabathia and Teixeira, New York developed the necessary cohesiveness over the course of the season, which propelled them to a World Series title.

Feel-good stories and misfortunes

So many great stories in the 2009 World Series.

There's Phillies second baseman Chase Utley tying Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson with five homers in the Series.

Don't forget about superstar slugger Ryan Howard, who earned the NLCS MVP Award during the Dodgers series, setting the World Series record with 13 strikeouts, as well as standout lefty Cliff Lee's brilliant performance in Game 1, and closer Brad Lidge's meltdown in Game 4, which gave the Yankees a 3-1 Series lead.

What happened to standout left-hander Cole Hamels?

Matsui gets named the 2009 World Series MVP after leading the offensive attack Wednesday by driving in six runs -- tying Yankee legendary second baseman Bobby Richardson for most RBI during a World Series game. 

How about A-Rod breaking out of his postseason misery to win his first ever World Series title. Is he still considered A-Fraud, or has he done enough to earn forgiveness after coming out and admitting past steroid use in February while playing for the Texas Rangers from 2001-03?

The Yankees' cohesiveness began formulating when A-Rod's teammates stood by him during his time of humiliation.

From there, a sacred bond formed between future Hall of Famers, superstars, veterans and rookies as they rallied behind manager Joe Girardi and his coaching staff with the goal of bringing a World Series title back to the Bronx.

Jeter and company honored the city of New York Wednesday night, as well as all the former Yankee players and coaches, by capturing the franchise's 27th World Series title -- the most championships of any team in all of sports.

During the regular season, Jeter passed Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig for most hits in franchise history, while Pettitte surged past Smoltz for most wins in postseason history. 

Pettitte's legacy

Several of the Yankee players made history in their own way, but what about Pettitte's legacy? Like A-Rod, has he done enough to earn forgiveness after admitting to past HGH use?

Is a fifth World Series ring for Pettitte and A-Rod's first the way to officially put water under the bridge and move forward with honor and dignity?

Pettitte enters the offseason as a free agent. At this point, he's projected to be a Type B free agent, meaning if he's offered arbitration and declines, the signing team doesn't have to surrender a top draft pick to the Yankees. Instead, New York would simply receive a first-round supplemental pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Realistically, Pettitte will draw interest on the free-agent market from a team looking to add a solid, veteran left-hander. He finished the 2009 season with a 14-8 record with a 4.16 ERA over 194 2/3 innings in 32 starts.

During his 15-year career, he's won 229 games, tying him for 63rd with Sad Sam Jones, Luis Tiant and Will White on Major League Baseball's all-time wins list. Currently, Pettitte sits only seven career victories behind Yankees Hall of Fame left-hander Whitey Ford (236).  

Steinbrenner, Cashman and Girardi will have to make a critical decision regarding Pettitte's future in New York. Traditionally, the Yankees tend to be the top players on the free-agent market. There's a strong possibility that New York will sign Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman, whose fastball has been clocked at 102 mph. 

Then there's free agent pitchers such as John Lackey. 

One can expect the Yankees to be in the mix to continue signing perennial free agents to improve their roster for the 2010 season.

Pettitte in 2010?

Does Pettitte factor into Steinbrenner and Cashman's plans for 2010, or was Wednesday night the final time Pettitte ever wears the infamous Yankee pinstripes? If the Yankees no longer want Pettitte, does he continue his career in another uniform or does he retire a World Series champion?

Is there a chance he returns to his hometown of Houston to wear an Astros uniform once again?

So many questions surrounding Pettitte.

When the time comes, Pettitte will make the right decision in his best interest. Right now, he doesn't need to worry about this. He deserves to celebrate with his teammates and the Yankee fans.

Tip your hat to Pettitte -- he's a special pitcher who was an underdog coming out of high school that evolved into a champion. On behalf of your hometown of Houston, congratulations Mr. Pettitte on earning your fifth World Series title.