NEWS OF THE RETIRING OF PETTITTE'S 46 CAME FROM HIS PROUD SON

I know it's a story to many, but it comes as no surprise to me.  Andy Pettitte will have his number retired in August at Yankee Stadium, a truly terrific event and no one should be surprised.  Andy gave his all and he has the numbers and rings to prove it. Congratulations to Andy and his family for such an amazing achievement.

The news, came from his son Josh on Twitter:

Heard it here first. @Yankees are making August 23rd Andy Pettitte day. Retiring #46 and honoring him with a plaque in Monument Park!!
— Josh Pettitte (@JPettitte21) February 15, 2015

Now, you know we love the Pettitte family here at BYB.  In fairness, we don't know them, and no, we're not as close to them as say the Posadas or Sabathias, but we love the family element just the same.  Don't forget, BYB wrote TRUST ME, NO ONE'S UPSET ABOUT PETTITTE BEING A GOOD DAD back in September. We did it because Andy was getting slammed because he wasn't attending Derek Jeter day.  The reason?

He went Elk hunting with his son, a trip planned way before Derek Jeter day.  Once we put our story our defending Andy and his commitment to family and fatherhood, it was nice that Josh sent us a tweet about it:

@BleednYankeeBlu great article! I appreciate it
— Josh Pettitte (@JPettitte21) September 9, 2014

We had his back. It's about family...it usually is.

Now it appears Andy will have his number retired and a plaque to boot. Trust me, I'm looking forward to this.  Dan Lucia, one of our writers is also. He had a dialog with Josh yesterday about it.

@JPettitte21 @Yankees awesome! Love Andy. People used to say I looked like him. Epic nose. lol
— Dan Lucia (@DManLucia) February 15, 2015

Dan Lucia will have a piece about Andy Pettitte and the retiring of #46 soon. Look for it!

Congrats to Andy Pettitte and his family.  Hard work pays off... Andy knows that and so do his sons! They are following in his footsteps! Gotta love it.

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TRUST ME, NO ONE'S UPSET ABOUT PETTITTE BEING A GOOD DAD

There's a ridiculous story circulating around the Internet about fans being "outraged" that Andy Pettitte wasn't in attendance for the Derek Jeter ceremony Sunday.   I had to laugh, because it's a clear indication about just how peculiar the news cycle has become. This is a non-story.

Anyone a parent out there? Anyone understand the bond between Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte in the 20+ years they've known each other? Does anyone know why Andy Pettitte WASN'T in attendance this past Sunday? Because I do. He was with his son, Elk hunting in a trip that was booked way before anyone in the Yankees organization ever uttered the words "Derek Jeter Day."

Had a blast elk hunting with this one in Colorado! Coolest experience ever! pic.twitter.com/GU7LvfOoEU
— Josh Pettitte (@JPettitte21) September 7, 2014

Let me tell you something; Friends understand friends, and to be honest, if a fan is TRULY upset that Andy Pettitte wasn't at Jeter Day because he was with his son, you're sad.  I've missed friends weddings because of baseball tournaments for my son.  You know what? It's understood. Life happens. Get over yourself.

That's why Bleeding Yankee Blue exists these days. Sure, we love our club, but we're about family. My writers have families.  We have lives outside of these pages.  If a family situation comes up, I'm notified.  You know what I tell my writers? "Take care of it. Come back when you are under control."  Why do I say that?

Because family comes first, and family should always come first.  Sure, I'm sure if Andy sat down with Josh Pettitte and said "Look kid, I gotta get to New York for the Jeter ceremony," I am pretty positive Josh Pettitte would be disappointed, but would say, "You know what dad? You're part of the legacy, I get it. Go." But Andy Pettitte is a man. He's a damn good father and that conversation never happened. You wanna know why? BECAUSE FAMILY COMES FIRST. You know who knows that? Derek Jeter.

Stop the nonsense.  You don't think Andy had a heart to heart with Derek Jeter? Of course they spoke, it's not like Andy was just a "no-show" and no know knew about why.

Look, we're all Yankee fans.  We're all die-hards, but let's be honest, we all have a lot going on in life.  Well, so does Andy Pettitte and you know what? I applaud him for going Elk hunting with Josh.  It's freaking awesome actually.  And to the fans that just don't get it... well, I guess you never will.  No biggie, but my reasoning is simple... Family first... at BYB... and in your life.

Write that down.

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MORE YANKEE DRAFTS WITH PETTITTE & O'NEILL & QUANTRILL

The Yankees organization seemed to stay within the baseball legacy this draft. Josh Pettitte made the fourth draft pick, from a family with previous ties to the organization.

Pettitte went in the 38th round. He started gaining a lot of popularity this year, after pitching two no-hitters for his Deer Park HS, in Texas. He will not sign with the Yankees though, but will fulfill his commitment to Baylor University. Andy was quoted as saying "We'll see what happens in 3 years. His dad wants him to go to school." As a parent, I most certainly respect that. Chances are, those three years will make the difference between going in the 38th round, and the first.

In the third round, the Yankees drafted Michael O'Neill, Paul O'Neill's nephew. He hit .329 this season with 11 doubles, and 6 homers. In 2010, Michael was drafted in the 42nd round, but went to college instead. According to a tweet by Andrew Marchand, the Yankees really like Michael.

Yanks like Michael O'Neill, Paul's nephew, because of his speed. They think he could play all three OF positions.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) June 10, 2013

This is great news. A speedy outfielder means more defensive plays made, and more bases stolen.

Right handed pitcher, Cal Quantrill, and catcher, Trent Garrison were also drafted. Cal's father, Paul, was a relief pitcher for the Yankees in 2004. And Trent's twin brother, Taylor, is in the Tampa Yankees bullpen.

Honestly, it would be nice to see some of these young men in the Yankees clubhouse in the future. Especially for Pettitte, who grew up around the organization, watching his father play. Whether they decide not to sign, to continue their education, or if they will be making their way to the minors, I wish them much success on their life journey. They are a group of highly talented young men.

Erica Morales
BYB Senior Writer
@e_morales1804

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