PETTITTE POWER & THE KEY THREE

It's only a couple of days since the season has started and it already feels a little bit different. There are a lot of different faces out there and we are relying on some new guys. We are putting extra responsibility in some people while reminiscing about others. It was weird to look at the Yankee lineup on Monday to see six new faces on the opening day roster. Six faces that weren't previously been there before. It was a culture shock. There have been a lot of changes this off season, but one thing that hasn't changed.....is the role Andy Pettitte has on this team.

If I had a nickle for every time a baseball fan reminded me that the Yankees are old and Andy Pettitte is the oldest starting pitcher in the entire league I would have a nice stash of cash right now. I could use it to buy some season tickets. Yes, the Yankees are "old" but some things are better aged, like fine wine and cheese for example. OK, I'm not saying Andy is better because he is older, that isn't my point. My point is that even though Andy is not a youngster anymore, he has the experience and the tools to help the Yankees succeed. He is still pitching for a reason, because he is still effective.

Like Mariano Rivera, I am glad Andy decided to return this year. It was unfortunate that an injury kept him off of the mound for so long last year. Andy is still an effective pitcher, and if this is his last year then I want to see him go out on his own terms. Of course, if I had it my way I would freeze time and stop our guys from aging at all. I know people like to throw the aging Yankees into every storyline possible, but the fact of the matter is Andy still has the ability to pitch and doesn't look like he is slowing down.

Andy had a productive spring training. In three starts he pitched 15.1 innings and gave up 6 runs on 17 hits and struck out 14. He gave up a lot of hits, but one thing that Andy has always been good at is limiting the damage. He has good instincts, and he trusts himself. He still performs at a high level and he pushes himself every start. Andy is a gamer, and he still has the desire to compete. This is a mental game just as much as it is a physical game and Andy continues to push himself everyday. I love that Andy is such a gamer, I have always admired that about him.

I have a lot of faith in Andy. Some may think he is "too old" but Andy has said he wouldn't come back and pitch if he couldn't handle the workload. He wouldn't come back if he the Yankees needed to micromanage him because that's just not who he is. People are writing the Yankees off for several reasons, I get it. There are people out there who want to see the Yankees have a down year, but Andy will continue to be an anchor for this team just like he has always been.

Sure, the Yankees have more veteran players on the team than newbies, but there is one thing that age brings, and that is wisdom. The Yankees are in good hands on the field. Mariano Rivera will continue to save games and fool people with his cutter. Even in his last year, the hitters will still know what is coming but swing and miss. As the season moves through the later months we will continue to watch in amazement and cherish these memories. He will continue to be the anchor to our bullpen and lead the young kids waiting in the bullpen.

Likewise, Derek Jeter is still going to be the quarterback on the field once he returns. Just to have him on the field gives that added security and leadership that we are used to. Last year he led the team by producing during times that most players weren't. He also led the league in hits. It's another example of how age doesn't necessarily mean decline in productivity. He gave the spark that was needed last year, and he will continue to give that both on and off the field for the team. His age isn't a concern for him. I was amazed as I listened to him talk about Mo's decision to retire on television last week. He said that if Mo can continue to play even at age 42 then he still had several years left. I like the sound of that.

They say "age is nothing but a number." For us, that is true but for a baseball player not so much. Now that Jorge Posada is gone, I watch the Key Three and am going to cherish every minute that is left. We know that this is Mo's last year. Andy is unknown, but I really don't think Jeter is going anywhere yet. Maybe when it comes to these three, age really is just a state of mind because when I watch them I still think they can do anything. So let everyone else make fun of the "old" Yankees, because these guys play with heart, and I forget how "old" they really are.

Don't count the "old" Yankees out yet, because we have three wise men to help lead the way to another championship.

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer and Editor

Twitter: @NyPrincessJ



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