It wasn’t the first time Pettitte ever thought about saying goodbye to the game.
"If I was ever going to go, why not go right now?" Pettitte told The Associated Press. "Right on top."
Then, he signed a one-year, $11.75 million contract in December.
Why the change of heart? Maybe after reflecting on his solid performance throughout the 2009 season and postseason, he decided that going out with a 14-8 record and 4.16 ERA would be a shame to waste on shuffleboard in Naples.
Pettitte explained that although he wants to go out on a high note, he does not want to pull the plug on his baseball career until he is certain he has nothing more to offer his team. Being the first pitcher to start and win the clincher in all three postseason rounds is a pretty clear indicator that his glory days are not exactly a "remember when."
"I want to make sure. I don't want to go home and miss it," Pettitte told the AP. "When I do it, I want to be done with it. I don't think it would be fair to my family to say I'm done and then just pull the rug right out from underneath them. That's the biggest thing. I just want make sure I fully have exhausted myself of this."
The Yankees’ addition of Javier Vazquez to the rotation should help shoulder some of Pettitte's responsibilities after last season, when the 37-year-old was expected to produce after little rest.
"Everything feels good coming into the spring, so I feel real good about that," Pettitte said. "I'm committed to this. You go for it. We've got a long journey here, and it will fly by. It goes by quicker and quicker each year."
Pettitte, a two-time All Star, began pitching for the Bronx Bombers in 1995. He helped them secure four World Series titles and six AL pennants. After the 2003 season, he had a three-year stint with the Houston Astros, before returning to the Yankees in 2007. Over the years, he has been a strong leader in the clubhouse and on the pitching staff, posting 192 wins with the Yankees, third-most on the franchise list.
