Andy Pettitte won 256 games, holds the all-time record with 19 postseason wins, and earned five rings with the New York Yankees -- and he did it all after getting picked in the 22nd round out of a Texas junior college. That's not a typo. The 22nd round. The guy who'd become the most reliable big-game pitcher of his generation wasn't even a blip on most draft boards in 1990.
A 22nd-Round Nobody
Pettitte grew up in Deer Park, Texas -- a Houston suburb on the ship channel, about as far from the Bronx as you can get. He pitched at San Jacinto College (not exactly LSU) and the Yankees grabbed him in June '90 as a "let's see what happens" pick. He climbed through the minors with that cutter and that freakin' pickoff move, and by 1995, he was in the rotation to stay. His debut season -- 12-9, 4.17 ERA -- wasn't flashy, but you could see it. The kid knew how to pitch.
The Dynasty's Left Arm
Here's what I remember about Pettitte during the dynasty years: you never worried when he was on the mound. Not once. He went 21-8 in 1996 (led the AL in wins, got robbed of the Cy Young by Pat Hentgen -- still annoyed about that) and then threw 8.1 innings of one-run ball in Game 5 of the World Series with the series tied 2-2. That's the start that defined him. Back to the Bronx knotted up, the whole season hanging on one game in Atlanta, and Pettitte just... handled it.
You want the ball in his hands in October. I don't think there's a pitcher I'd rather have in a big game.
Then came 1997 -- his career-best 2.88 ERA, 240 innings of work, a genuine ace season. The rings kept stacking after that. '98, '99, 2000. Four championships in five years, and Pettitte started in all of them. He wasn't the flashiest guy in those rotations (Cone had the perfect game, El Duque had the mystique, Wells had the personality), but he was the constant. The guy who just showed up every fifth day and competed.
| Career Record | 256-153 |
| ERA | 3.85 |
| Strikeouts | 2,448 |
| Innings Pitched | 3,316.0 |
| Postseason Wins | 19 (MLB Record) |
| Postseason ERA | 3.81 |
| World Series Rings | 5 |
| WAR | 60.2 |
The Houston Detour
After the 2003 World Series loss to the Marlins, Pettitte left for the Astros. I'm not gonna lie -- it stung. But the man grew up in Texas. His family lived in Texas. Roger Clemens played in Texas. You couldn't really blame him (even if you wanted to). He signed a three-year deal worth about $31 million and went home.
And you know what? He was GOOD in Houston. In 2005, he posted a 2.39 ERA -- the best of his entire career -- and dragged the Astros to their first World Series. They got swept by the White Sox, but that wasn't on him.
He came back to the Bronx in 2007. It felt right.
The HGH Thing
I'm not going to pretend this didn't happen. When the Mitchell Report dropped in December 2007, Pettitte's name sat right there alongside Clemens, Bonds, and dozens of others. He'd used HGH in 2002 to recover from an elbow injury, and again in 2004.
But here's what separated Pettitte from everybody else on that list: he told the truth. Within 48 hours, he admitted it publicly, said it went against everything he believed in, and didn't hide behind lawyers or denials. When Congress came calling during the Clemens investigation, Pettitte testified honestly -- even though it meant contradicting his close friend. That couldn't have been easy.
Did it cost him the Hall of Fame? It's complicated. His numbers scream yes (256 wins, 19 postseason wins, 60-plus WAR). The voters keep saying not yet. But I'll tell you this -- Pettitte handled the whole mess with more integrity than just about anyone else in that era. You can dock him for the mistake. You can't dock him for how he owned it.
The Core Four's Workhorse
Drafted in the 22nd Round
The Yankees select Pettitte out of San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas. Nobody outside the scouting department notices.
Game 5 in Atlanta
With the series tied 2-2, Pettitte throws 8.1 innings of one-run ball. The Yanks win 1-0 and go on to take the title.
Leaves for Houston
Pettitte signs a 3-year deal with the Astros, breaking up the Core Four for three seasons.
Mitchell Report and Admission
The Mitchell Report names Pettitte for HGH use. He admits it publicly within days -- the only major player to own it with full transparency.
Ring Number Five
Pettitte pitches 5.2 innings of Game 6 before handing it to the bullpen. Rivera closes it out. The Yankees clinch their 27th title.
Final Start
Pettitte takes the mound at Yankee Stadium for the last time, against Houston. His family joins him on the field. Standing ovation.
You can't tell the story of the dynasty without Pettitte. Jeter was the face, Mo closed every door, Posada caught every big game -- and Pettitte gave them all seven innings of work before handing the ball to the pen. He learned his cutter from Rivera, refined it with Mel Stottlemyre, and used it to break more bats than anyone this side of Mo himself. The two of them shared a faith, a pitch, and a bond that lasted their entire careers (Rivera called him "my brother" -- and meant it).
Nineteen postseason wins. A 22nd-round pick from a community college in Houston, Texas. The guy just showed up and competed -- every October, every big game, every time the team needed him most. That's not a bad way to spend 18 years in the Bronx.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many postseason wins does Andy Pettitte have?
Andy Pettitte holds the all-time MLB record with 19 postseason victories as a starting pitcher. His full postseason record sits at 19-11 with a 3.81 ERA across 44 games. John Smoltz, the next closest, finished with 15.
Was Andy Pettitte on the Mitchell Report?
Yes. The December 2007 Mitchell Report named Pettitte for using Human Growth Hormone in 2002 and 2004. He publicly admitted it within days, accepted full responsibility, and later testified before Congress during the Roger Clemens investigation. His honesty stood out compared to other players the report named.
How many World Series rings does Andy Pettitte have?
Pettitte won five World Series rings, all with the Yankees -- in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009. He also pitched in the 2005 World Series with the Houston Astros, though that team got swept by the White Sox.
Why did Andy Pettitte leave the Yankees for Houston?
Pettitte grew up in Deer Park, Texas, a Houston suburb, and wanted to live closer to his family. His close friend Roger Clemens had also joined the Astros. He signed a 3-year deal worth about $31 million after the 2003 season and returned to the Yankees in 2007.
Season-by-Season Stats
Regular Season
| Year | G | GS | W | L | SV | IP | H | ER | K | BB | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 31 | 26 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 175.0 | 183 | 81 | 114 | 63 | 4.17 | 1.41 |
| 1996 | 35 | 34 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 221.0 | 229 | 95 | 162 | 72 | 3.87 | 1.36 |
| 1997 | 35 | 35 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 240.1 | 233 | 77 | 166 | 65 | 2.88 | 1.24 |
| 1998 | 33 | 32 | 16 | 11 | 0 | 216.1 | 226 | 102 | 146 | 87 | 4.24 | 1.45 |
| 1999 | 31 | 31 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 191.2 | 216 | 100 | 121 | 89 | 4.70 | 1.59 |
| 2000 | 32 | 32 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 204.2 | 219 | 99 | 125 | 80 | 4.35 | 1.46 |
| 2001 | 31 | 31 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 200.2 | 224 | 89 | 164 | 41 | 3.99 | 1.32 |
| 2002 | 22 | 22 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 134.2 | 144 | 49 | 97 | 32 | 3.27 | 1.31 |
| 2003 | 33 | 33 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 208.1 | 227 | 93 | 180 | 50 | 4.02 | 1.33 |
| 2007 | 36 | 34 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 215.1 | 238 | 97 | 141 | 69 | 4.05 | 1.43 |
| 2008 | 33 | 33 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 204.0 | 233 | 103 | 158 | 55 | 4.54 | 1.41 |
| 2009 | 32 | 32 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 194.2 | 193 | 90 | 148 | 76 | 4.16 | 1.38 |
| 2010 | 21 | 21 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 129.0 | 123 | 47 | 101 | 41 | 3.28 | 1.27 |
| 2012 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 75.1 | 65 | 24 | 69 | 21 | 2.87 | 1.14 |
| 2013 | 30 | 30 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 185.1 | 198 | 77 | 128 | 48 | 3.74 | 1.33 |
| Career | 447 | 438 | 219 | 127 | 0 | 2796.1 | 2951 | 1223 | 2020 | 889 | 3.94 | 1.37 |
Postseason
| Year | G | GS | W | L | SV | IP | H | ER | K | BB | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5.14 | -- |
| 1996 | 5 | -- | 2 | 1 | 0 | 32.0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4.78 | -- |
| 1997 | 2 | -- | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11.2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 8.49 | -- |
| 1998 | 3 | -- | 2 | 1 | 0 | 19.0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3.32 | -- |
| 1999 | 3 | -- | 2 | 0 | 0 | 18.1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3.93 | -- |
| 2000 | 5 | -- | 2 | 0 | 0 | 31.2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2.84 | -- |
| 2001 | 5 | -- | 2 | 3 | 0 | 29.2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4.55 | -- |
| 2002 | 1 | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 12.00 | -- |
| 2003 | 5 | -- | 3 | 1 | 0 | 34.1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2.10 | -- |
| 2007 | 1 | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 0.00 | -- |
| 2009 | 5 | -- | 4 | 0 | 0 | 30.2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3.52 | -- |
| 2010 | 2 | -- | 1 | 1 | 0 | 14.0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2.57 | -- |
| 2012 | 2 | -- | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13.2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3.29 | -- |
| Career | 40 | 0 | 18 | 10 | 0 | 251.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |