On Thursday the Yankees were delivered a crushing blow when they heard the news that Andy Pettitte was going to announce his official retirement on Friday afternoon. The moment the news leaked, sports radio was being flooded with callers praising the Yankees star. Many former and current players and coaches were on the air ways, discussing what a great pitcher and teammate he was. For two full days all I heard about was his 19 post season wins and 5 championship rings.
As a Red Sox fan and passionate Yankee hater, the last thing I want to hear about is anything good about those damn Yankees or its players. So just before I drove my car off a cliff to stop this annoying chatter coming from my radio, it dawned on me. I started to smile, I even began to chuckle, I too had my favorite Andy Pettitte moment.
It was April 26, 2009. It was a Sunday night, the Sox and Yankees were playing in front of a national audience. The Sox had already taken the first two games that weekend. It was the fifth inning, bases loaded and the Sox clinging to a 2-1 lead . With J.D. Drew at the plate, the count sitting at 1and 1, Jacoby Ellsbury took a lead half way down the third baseline. For whatever reason Pettitte decided to throw from a windup instead of from the stretch. As he went into his windup, the 25 year old speedster took off. Like a blur he barreled towards home. The roar from the crowd was deafening, I remember jumping from my chair at home as ESPN’s Jon Miller frantically described the call on TV. As Ellsbury went into his head first dive, he appeared to stumble. It wasn’t the most graceful slide I had ever seen, but, it was by far the most exciting one I had ever had the pleasure to witness. Everyone on their feet, frenzied as thunderous applause rained down from the crowd in disbelief.. The Sox players clapping and laughing in the dugout, hugging and slapping the back of their daring young teammate. There stood Pettitte on the mound, dumbfounded and embarrassed. One of the games best if not the greatest pick off pitchers of all time, caught flat footed and defenseless to stop the speedy Ellsbury. The Sox went on to win that game 4-1 and complete the three game sweep.
I too want to congratulate you on your retirement and I say to you Andy Pettitte, “Thanks for the memory”
Click on the link below and enjoy over and over again.
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