WHY THE YANKEES BIGGEST TEST IS PETTITTE

Today is important. Yes, Mother's Day is always important, but Andy Pettitte on the mound in the Bronx is important to whether or not this Yankee team moves forward this season.  Many believe he is the key the whole season.  I tend to agree.

When you say "Andy Pettitte", you immediately think of championships and wins and stability.  But let's be frank, that was the past and when you don't pitch on a major league level for 1 season and come back with a 40 year old body, the chances dwindle.  Yankee fans live in the past...I'm one of them.  I think about all the times Andy's come in when our backs were against the wall in the playoffs or in a series we needed to win during the regular season, and suddenly, Andy pounds the strike zone without a bead of sweat on his face...Mariano Rivera would come in to close it...game over... Yankees win.  This isn't 2009...it's 2012.

No, I'm not doubting Andy Pettitte, I believe in him, but we need to face reality, everyone's alittle older.  Sure, if Andy Pettitte comes in the the Bronx today with a thunderous applause and takes over, we will feel good in Yankeeland again.  With the loss of Mariano Rivera due to injury and the retiring of Jorge Posada, having Andy stand on the big stage today will be the biggest test we will ever face as a franchise this year.  We know it's not Game 7, but it's about momentum and courage and ability and "team".  Andy is about all of that.  He will do what guys like Jamie Moyer have done for years, but Jamie Moyer never pitched for the Yankees.  He will need to shine, go at least 6, keep the Yankees in the game, and do his best, what we always loved about Andy Pettitte.

So as we anticipate a huge Yankee win and sweep against the Mariners today, remember this, this guy has always been our rock in the past, and if we believe, truly believe in might Andy again...dreams can come true...after all...he's always been Ol' Reliable! Good Luck Andy, go get'um!

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