KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On this date in 1995, Andy Pettitte made his MLB debut. The New York Yankees were visiting the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium when Pettitte came on in relief of starter Melido Perez.
Pettitte worked two-thirds of an inning, yielding two runs on three hits. He also registered his first career strikeout, as Joe Vitiello went down looking. Pettitte would add a good 2,447 more before his career was through. It all came in a 10-3 Yanks victory.
After ace southpaw Jimmy Key went on the shelf with rotator cuff surgery, Pettitte eventually slotted into the rotation and became a fixture for the better part of 15 years with New York.
The 1995 season saw Pettitte finish third in American League Rookie of the Year voting. Pettitte would also start Game 2 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium against the Seattle Mariners.
Pettitte would go on to win five World Series rings in pinstripes and his No. 46 is retired in Monument Park.
