Yanks Retiring Andy Pettitte's #46

NY Daily News: TAMPA — Andy Pettitte will return to the Bronx this summer, and his No. 46 will stay forever.

A source confirmed to the Daily News the Bombers will retire the lefty’s No. 46 and give him a plaque in Monument Park on Aug. 23, before a game with the Indians. The news was first tweeted by Pettitte’s son, Josh.

Currently, Mariano Rivera is the only member of the Core Four to have his number retired, but Pettitte will join him, and a source said plans are in the works to honor Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams this year also, with both players’ numbers likely to be retired. Posada and Derek Jeter are the other members of the Core Four.

Pettitte pitched 15 seasons with the Yankees, going 219-127 in Pinstripes. A five-time World Series champ, Pettitte was a three-time All-Star and MVP of the 2001 ALCS. He also pitched in the World Series for Houston, where he spent three seasons from 2004-06.

The Yankees aren’t holding Pettitte’s admission to having used human growth hormone against him. The lefty said he used HGH in 2002 to help recover from an elbow injury.

This isn't much of a shocker because he's a top 3 Yankee pitcher, if not the best, in pretty much every regard. Best postseason pitcher of all time. Fan favorite. 5 World Series titles. Over 200 career wins with the team. The guy's all time. The only blip on the radar is the HGH but he only took it to recover from an elbow injury and I think everybody on the planet believes Andy Pettitte when he says that. He's no scumbag like A-Rod or Palmeiro or Bonds or Clemens who just denies, denies, denies. Although I love Clemens cause he threw a bat at Mike Piazza and got acquitted on a technicality, but that's neither here nor there.

I think the best part of this article though is the fact that there's plans to retire Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada's numbers too. Mainly pumped about Bernie though. I've been wanting that for years. Guy gets no respect and he's pretty much a top 10-15 Yankee EVER. One of the best postseason hitters EVER. Love the guy.

Anyway, this blog is for Andy. You earned it sir.