Pettitte not necessarily leaning toward retirement

While some interpreted Andy Pettitte's comments Thursday as an indication that he is leaning toward retirement, the remarks were similar to those he made in the clubhouse after the Yankees' loss to the Rangers in the 2010 ALCS. And the ones he made after his World Series-clinching victory against the Phillies in 2009.

"Right now I can tell you that my heart's right here in Deer Park," Pettitte said Thursday, according to the Houston television station website khou.com. The Texan spoke at the 15th annual San Jacinto College Foundation Golf Tournament, which he hosts.

After the Game 6 loss this year, Pettitte, 38, said: "The only thing I know right now is I love taking the mound every fifth day. Unfortunately, there's a lot of other stuff at this point, at this stage of my life, I don't like about baseball. Obviously, it just has to do with the family. I'll just go home, let this settle in and try not to think about this for a little while and just figure out what I want to do.''

Indications are that Pettitte - who said Thursday that if he does play this season, it will be his final one - hasn't had that serious sit-down conversation with his family yet, which would be consistent with how he's approached recent offseasons.

General manager Brian Cashman said he talked to Pettitte right before the lefthander went home to Texas and hasn't spoken to him since. One club official said earlier in the week that the Yankees didn't expect to hear from Pettitte until at least after Thanksgiving, and probably a couple of weeks after that. Last offseason, he didn't commit to pitching in 2010 until Dec. 9.