Lefthander Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 5-2 Sunday night in the Bronx to capture their 40th American League Pennant.
Pettitte, 37, a two-time All-Star selection who has accumulated the most victories of any MLB pitcher since 1995, allowed only seven hits and one earned run in 6 1/3 innings.
“He did what he has done his whole career,” said Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter of the 2001 ALCS MVP.
The native of Texas is set to make his eighth appearance in the World Series when the Yankees host the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday evening.
Many onlookers have long considered Pettitte to be a serviceable pitcher who is not among baseball’s elite hurlers.
Those skeptics are simply incorrect.
Andy Pettitte, who has a career record of 229-135 and owns a .629 winning percentage, is a spectacular talent and he should garner serious Hall of Fame consideration when he eventually retires.
With his victory Sunday, Pettitte passed John Smoltz for the most postseason wins in history and he also established the record for the most series-clinching victories with five.
Additionally, Pettitte, a four-time World Series champion, has twice been a 20-game winner and he has never endured a losing season in his entire professional career.
Last September, Pettitte started the last game for the Yankees at the old Yankee Stadium.
Don’t be surprised if Pettitte is the pitcher that leads New York to their first World Series championship at the New Yankee Stadium.
Pettitte was once quoted as saying, “Whatever I do, I love to win. I don’t care if it’s tennis or ping pong. I’ll kill myself to win it.”
Thankfully for Pettitte, he wins much more than he loses.
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