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.

Colon Giving It His Best Shot

Colon has been impressive this spring,
auditioning for the Yankees rotation.

With Cliff Lee opting to sign with his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason and Andy Pettitte calling it a career after 16 big league seasons, it's no secret the New York Yankees rotation has some question marks.


The Yankees signed right-hander Bartolo Colon to Minor League contract and an invite to spring training back in January for a chance to make their staff. Colon has done his best to impress the New York and manager Joe Girardi.

Colon has pitched nine innings this spring, giving up three earned runs on eight hits while striking out 12 and only walking one.

Colon is competing with veterans Freddy Garica and Sergio Mitre along with youngster Ivan Nova for the final two spots in the Yankee rotation. With all four of them are pitching extremely well this spring, Garica and Nova are the predicted front-runners to land those two spots.

Although, the two-time All-Star, who did not pitch at all in 2010, last pitching in the majors with the Chicago White Sox in 2009, is making his case be heard. Colon is a former Cy Young Award winner, winning 21 games for the Angels in 2005. Since that time, Colon has only appeared in 48 games, posting a 14-21 record with a 5.18 earned run average.

At 37, Colon is no longer the power arm he once was throwing in the mid-to-upper 90s. He has learned to pitch and the importance of first pitch strikes. After raising eye brows coming into camp seemingly out of shape and weighing in at 265 pounds, Colon looks as good as ever a may be resurrecting his career. If Colon does not make the 25-man roster out of spring training, you can be sure the phone will be ringing with plenty of other suitors.

Girardi seems to have a problem on his hands with the competition reaching its peak and getting better everyday. It's a problem that he will not soon complain about.

Martin Could be a Pleasant Surprise

Martin could be a steal for the Yankees in
2011.

The New York Yankees took a gamble this offseason signing former Los Angeles Dodger backstop and fan favorite, Russell Martin.

Martin is coming off both hip and knee surgery this offseason and caught for the first time this spring, Friday versus the Boston Red Sox. Martin, who signed a one-year contract with the Yankees, could prove to be extremely valuable to them in 2011.

With longtime catcher Jorge Posada moving to an unfamiliar full-time DH role, the starting catching duties belong solely to Martin. He is still one of the best defensive catchers in Major League Baseball, throwing out 39 percent of all base runners in 2010, which is a significant jump from the 15 percent Posada posted a year ago.

The 2007 Gold Glove winner is being asked by the Yankees to lead a pitching staff that has a lot of question marks, with the offseason consisting of the retirement of Andy Pettitte and Cliff Lee signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Martin has fallen from being regarded as one of the best catchers in baseball after dropping off significantly offensively the past two seasons, averaging a .250 batting average over that span. Hitting in the bottom half of the Yankee order and not having to be the centerpiece of the offense should help Martin regain his All-Star form.

With less pressure and a fresh start, the two-time All-Star could have a huge year in the Bronx.

Martin, still only 28, is a .272 career hitter and has hit as many as 19 home runs in a single-season.

The Canadian native has shown he can handle the pressure of being a Major Leaguer, homering in his first big league at-bat back in 2006. He also adds a dimension not many teams have behind the plate, swiping 66 career stolen bases in five seasons. The Yankees have taken a chance on Martin, not to carry an offense, but stay healthy and nourish an uncertain pitching staff.

If all goes right, Martin should have a bounce back season in '11 and be a hot free agent target this coming winter.