Andy Pettitte

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Pettitte was drafted by the Yankees organization in 1990, and he signed with them roughly a year later. After debuting in the major leagues in 1995, Pettitte finished third in voting for the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award. In 1996, he led the AL with 21 wins and was runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award. Two years later, he was the Yankees' Opening Day starter. Pettitte established himself as one of the 'Core Four' players who contributed to the Yankees' late-1990s dynasty that produced four championships. Pettitte won the 2001 AL Championship Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in helping his team win the pennant. After spending nine seasons with the Yankees—a stint in which he won at least 12 games each season—Pettitte signed with the Astros in 2004. He rejoined the Yankees in 2007 and later that season admitted to using human growth hormone to recover from an elbow injury in 2002. Pettitte's second tenure with the team lasted six seasons, interrupted by a one-year retirement in 2011, and also produced a fifth World Series championship in 2009. He retired after the 2013 season.

In Their Own Story

In the 1996 World Series, Pettitte started Game 1 against the Atlanta Braves, allowing seven runs in 2⅓ innings. But he rebounded in Game 5, outdueling John Smoltz in a 1-0 victory that helped the Yankees win the series four games to two. Earlier that season, he led the AL with 21 wins and finished second in Cy Young voting. In 2001, he was named ALCS MVP after winning Games 1 and 5 against the Mariners. After signing with the Astros in 2004, his season was shortened by elbow surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon. He returned to form in 2005, posting a career-best 2.39 ERA and helping the Astros reach their first World Series. He rejoined the Yankees in 2007 and later that season admitted to using HGH in 2002. His second tenure included a fifth World Series title in 2009.

Reader's Guide

Pettitte's pitching repertoire included a four-seam and cut fastball and several off-speed pitches such as a slider, curveball, and changeup. A left-handed pitcher, he had an exceptional pickoff move to first base, which allowed him to record 98 career pickoffs. Among Yankees pitchers, Pettitte ranks first in strikeouts (2,020), third in wins (219), and tied for first in games started (438). The Yankees retired his uniform number 46 and dedicated a plaque to him in Monument Park in 2015.

Did You Know?

• Pettitte won the most games of any pitcher in the 2000s (148).
• He is of Italian and Cajun descent.
• Pettitte threw a knuckleball early in his minor league career but abandoned it because catcher Jorge Posada struggled to catch it.