Pettitte thrilled about being named an All-Star

OAKLAND, Calif. - As expected, Andy Pettitte is headed to the All-Star Game. He just received word a little earlier than he thought.

With Boston's Clay Buchholz going on the disabled list Monday, Pettitte took his spot by virtue of finishing sixth in player voting. It will be his third All-Star Game; he also was picked in 1996 and 2001. "It's awesome," said Pettitte (10-2, 2.82 ERA). "I'm excited about going. I'm looking forward to it. I'm just thankful I've been able to give us a good first half.''

It had been assumed that Pettitte would be AL manager Joe Girardi's pick to replace CC Sabathia, an All-Star selection who is ineligible to pitch next Tuesday because he'll start Sunday in Seattle. "Glad I don't have to wait until Sunday to get named," said Pettitte, who nonetheless already had told his four children he'd be going.

For the 38-year-old, whose annual offseason decision whether to keep playing has revolved around his family for several years, hauling his kids to Anaheim to experience the game is why he's most enthusiastic. Pettitte has three sons - Joshua, 15, Jared, 11, and Luke, 4 - and a daughter, Lexy Grace, 9. "I'm happy my kids will be there," he said. "They're older now. Josh was 6 the last time, so he was out on the field with me and stuff like that; was in the clubhouse and met some of the guys. But Jared was too young and Luke wasn't around, so it'll be special for them. I know they're extremely fired up about it."

Pettitte is fired up to be the seventh Yankee headed to Anaheim, and there could be an eighth if Nick Swisher triumphs in MLB's Final Vote campaign.

"No doubt," Pettitte said of the excitement level ratcheting up with so many teammates going. "It's going to make it great having more of the guys there, and hopefully, Swish will win the fan vote and adding another one would be great."

Pettitte said his two previous All-Star appearances were memorable for different reasons.

Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in 1996 was special because it was his first one and "I was so young."

But Pettitte most remembers 2001 at Safeco Field in Seattle when he was warming up in the bullpen and Cal Ripken Jr., in his final All-Star Game, hit a home run off current Yankee Chan Ho Park in the third inning.

"That would probably be the coolest experience I've had in an All-Star Game," Pettitte said.

And one that Pettitte had long believed would have to suffice as his final one. He certainly didn't start this season thinking another All-Star appearance was in his future.

"It's been nine years since I've been there, so it's definitely exciting for me," Pettitte said. "As the career is winding down here, it makes it more special, that's for sure."

How long will that career continue? "I'm exactly where I've been all along," he said. "Just get to the end of this season and see where we're at and re-evaluate it. But as I stand here today, I don't plan on pitching three years, four years from now. I don't plan on it. People keep asking me that but it's . . . I'll feel like I'll need to be with my family; go home and be a dad and be a husband."