New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, who made 396 starts for the club over 13 seasons, is set to officially retire tomorrow, according to a Twitter update from Yankees television broadcaster Michael Kay. Pettitte, a free agent, had left the door open to re-sign with the Yankees, but has evidently decided to hang 'em up after a successful career, which included three All-Star appearances and five World Series championships.
Losing Pettitte means the Yankees will have to patch together a rotation behind CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, perhaps filling it out with the likes of Sergio Mitre or Ivan Nova. But as outfielder Nick Swisher said, Pettitte has "definitely earned" his retirement. Pinstripe Alley, SB Nation's Yankees blog, believes the Yankees are so desperate for pitching they "still have to hope that Pettitte gets the itch to pitch at some point in 2011 and rejoins the rotation midseason."
Pettitte's final record with the Yankees stands at 203-112, with a 3.98 ERA. In the playoffs, he posted an 18-9 record and a 3.79 ERA. He earned his third career All-Star appearance last season, at the age of 38.