Unexpected Homecoming

Pettitte's intimidating glare is returning
to the Bronx.

Andy Pettitte is doing something he vowed he would never do.

After more than a year away from the game and announcing his retirement, Pettitte signed a 1-year, $2.5 million contract to return to the New York Yankees on Friday. It is a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League spring training.

In a move that shocked us all, Pettitte called his return "embarrassing". But nonetheless, New York is welcoming him home.

Pettitte first got the itch to pitch again when general manager Brian Cashman called him in December, offering him a deal worth about $10 million. However, Pettitte wasn't ready to commit and Cashman went out and acquired two right-handers, trading for Michael Pineda and signing Hiroki Kuroda.

But when the left-hander came to camp as a special instructor this spring, he made it be know he wanted to play.

Pettitte's return to the Yankees could add a second lefty to the staff, along with ace C.C. Sabathia. He is expected to be battling for the fifth spot in rotation with right-handers Phil Hughes and Freddy Garica. If the three-time All-Star makes the team he will probably not be ready until mid-May, leaving manager Joe Girardi with a difficult, but yet somewhat easy decision.

Who wouldn't take a chance on a player like Pettitte with his resume.

Over his 16-year career, Pettitte has totaled 240 wins, 203 in which came in pinstripes, trailing only Whitey Ford (236) and Red Ruffing for the most in Yankee history. The other 37 came as a member of his hometown Houston Astros.

He is second on the Yankees all-time list in games started (396) and strikeouts (1,823).

Pettitte won 20-plus games twice in his career and logged 200 or more innings ten times, including four out of the last six years.

His 16 consecutive seasons of a winning percentage of .500 or better are tied with Lefty Grove for third all-time. Hall of Famer Pete Alexander (19) and Greg Maddux (17) are first and second, respectively. Pettitte's 148 victories from 2000-09 are the most during that decade.

But it's his postseason accomplishments that speak volumes.

Pitching in eight different Fall Classic's, Pettitte's 13 games started in the World Series are second in baseball history to Ford's unbelievable 22. However, his 19 career postseason wins are the most all-time, helping him become a five-time World Series champion.

In 2009, Pettitte's most recent title, he became the first pitcher in postseason history to win all three series-clinching games as a starter, not to mention the fact Pettitte was the winning pitcher when the Yankees clinched the AL East Division title that same season.

He was also the 2001 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player when New York took down the record-setting Seattle Mariners in five games.

The question is now, how will Pettitte's body respond three months shy of his 40th birthday?

In his most recent season of work, Pettitte had one of his best seasons, compiling an 11-3 record with a 3.28 earned run average and making his first All-Star team in nine years. However, he missed two months that season with a groin injury.

Possessing one of the best pickoffs move in history, Pettitte has caught 99 base runners sleeping in his career, the most all-time. Steve Carlton's 144 would be the Major League record, but it wasn't made an official stat until 1974, ten years into his illustrious playing career.

Pettitte is back, and will trying to pick hitters off his time around.