Player of the Month-Andy Pettitte, So Long Andy

Sep 17, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte (46) looks for a sign during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

His big time performances in big time games have made him a great Yankee. His pick off move has turned countless would be base stealers into rubbery-legged outs. And his performance in the past thirty games has made him the Yanks Go Yard Player of the Month.

And so I say so long to Andy Pettitte by honoring him as best I can. To make it clear, the selection is made because he deserves it, not out of sentiment. Although his record in the last thirty games stands at 1-2, his ERA is an admirable 2.54. He allowed only 11 runs in 39 innings while holding batters to a .238 average.

He came through with some solid outings, including an exceptional one last Sunday as the Yankees honored Mariano Rivera. That is how many Yankee fans will remember Pettitte, as a guy who found a way to summon his best  when it was needed most.

So here are some Andy Pettitte moments to remember:

He won the ALCS MVP in 2001

He won the Warren Spahn Award in 2003 which is given to the best left handed pitcher in MLB.

He was a 20 game winner twice, in 1996 and 2003.

He was the last Yankees starting pitcher at the former Yankee stadium in 2008.

He was the winning pitcher in the final game of the last World Series that the Yankees have won in 2009.

He holds the record for post- season wins with 19.

He has the most post-season starts with 42 and innings pitched with 263

He is the all time Yankee strike out leader with 2,415, (2015 as a Yankee)

He has 255 career wins

It’s the feeling you get on the last day of school or the last day living in a house before you move. Things are changing with the Yankees. Derek Jeter is soon to be the only member left of the Core Four. They say you can never look back. But as New York Yankees fans, we have a lot to be thankful for and to look back at, starting with 27 World Championships.

Thank you, Andy, for helping to create some of those memories.