Pettitte is still a Yankee

By: Paul Lim
College Press Staff Writer

With strong inclinations towards retirement, the 35-year-old south paw decided to return for another year with the Yankees after calls for his return was heard from their star players.  Randy Hendricks, Pettitte’s manager, began spreading the word within the Yankee organization that Pettitte was ready for retirement.  The AP reports that upon hearing the news, "Players such as [Derek] Jeter and [Jorge] Posada told him how much they needed him back, as did Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi," Hendricks said.

According to Hendricks, Pettitte’s wife, Laura, also encouraged him to keep playing.

The Pettitte decision also coincides with the on-going trade negotiations between the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins for two-time Cy Young Winner Johan Santana.  According to Newsday, Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner told Newsday that the Yankees needed an answer from the Twins sometime yesterday or he would pull their offer of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and a midlevel prospect off the table.

Pettitte finished last season 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA.