Rieber's Insider: Is Andy a Hall of Famer?
Andy Pettitte speaks during a press conference to announce his retirement as his wife Laura looks on. (Feb. 4, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
That question won’t begin to be settled for five years, when Pettitte will first appear on the ballot. The five-year waiting period was put in to keep the emotions of the moment out of the process. So let’s look at the facts:
The case for
Pettitte’s base numbers: 240-138, 3.88 ERA. Major league-record 19 postseason wins. Five World Series rings. Three-time All-Star.
Finished in the top six in Cy Young voting five times, including second in 1996.
240 wins aren’t enough? Whitey Ford is in and he had 236 wins. There are 20 pitchers in the Hall of Fame who primarily were starters who had fewer wins than Pettitte.
Is a terrific guy. The writers really, really like him. Think that doesn’t matter? Ask John Franco, who didn’t even get 5 percent of the vote in his first year of eligibility and is off the ballot.
The case against
240 wins aren’t enough. Just because 20 other pitchers are in, that doesn’t mean all of them should be.
While always a fine pitcher, Pettitte was never considered the best pitcher in his league for even a single season.
He admitted to using HGH in 2007.
Conclusion
Pettitte won’t get into the Hall in his first few years of eligibility. But his reputation as a “gamer” and a “big-game pitcher” — those 19 postseason wins can’t be ignored forever — and his popularity with the writers will overcome the win total and HGH admission and eventually earn him a place in Cooperstown.
Jose and Terry . . . perfect together?
A healthy, happy and productive Jose Reyes can only help the Mets, whether it leads to unexpected team success in 2011 or he becomes premium trade bait at the July 31 deadline.
To that end, Reyes seems genuinely excited to be playing for new manager Terry Collins. The two spent time together last month when they were in town to participate in charity events.
“I know Jose is excited to have Terry Collins as the new manager,’’ said one of Reyes’ agents, Chris Leible. “I know they bonded when they spent time together in New York a couple of weeks ago.”
It’s not that Reyes had a terrible relationship with Jerry Manuel. But the previous skipper did confuse Reyes by moving him to third in the batting order last season when it was clear he views himself as an elite leadoff man. Perhaps Collins’ positive, high-octane style — less like Gandhi and more like Richard Simmons — is just what Reyes needs.
A Grand time in New Zealand
Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson recently completed a goodwill tour of New Zealand. He blogged and posted video about it on his charity’s website, http://grandkidsfoundation.org.
Here’s an excerpt from the account from the New Zealand Herald (yes, they spell “pajamas’’ and a few other words differently in Kiwi country):
Although not a household name in New Zealand, the New York Yankee is a global superstar, no bones about it.
The Yankees, with their crossed over NY symbol and their pinstriped pyjamas, are the most recognisable sporting brand on the planet.
Granderson, the starting centre fielder with an unrivalled skill set, is a star of the present and future.
When the likes of Derek Jeter and A-Rod drift off into retirement, Granderson will likely step into their super-dooper star shoes.
Swisher a regular guy
Nick Swisher may be a millionaire and a World Series champion, but that doesn’t mean he’s impervious to things that affect normal people — such as jobs and bad weather.
The Yankees rightfielder got married to actress Joanna Garcia in December. Given that it was during his offseason, you’d expect the couple would jet off to some exotic locale for a honeymoon, right?
“We haven’t had one yet,’’ Swisher said this past week. “We got married on a Saturday and she had to go back to work Wednesday. You believe that?’’
Garcia is a regular on the ABC sitcom “Better With You,’’ so Swisher spent the offseason living in Los Angeles. After coming to New York on Tuesday for the Thurman Munson dinner, the couple was supposed to fly back to L.A. the next day.
Couldn’t. Their flight was canceled because of Wednesday’s ice storm. Not even a Yankee can beat Mother Nature.
Reality check
With precious little time left before spring training, let’s take a look at some of our expectations going into the offseason and the reality of what actually happened:
Expectation: Yankees easily will re-sign Joe Girardi, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter.
Reality: Two out of three ain’t bad. The Jeter talks took on a nasty life of their own before getting resolved. Admit it, though: A complete breakup with Jeter signing elsewhere would have been even more fun (“Now batting for the Red Sox, No. 2, Derek Jeter, No. 2 . . . ’’).
Expectation: Yankees will sign Cliff Lee.
Reality: Brian Cashman did his best, but Lee wasn’t swayed by YankeeBucks. He wanted to go back to Philadelphia, and the Yankees were left without a Plan B for the rotation. And now no Andy Pettitte, either.
Expectation: Mets won’t spend much as Sandy Alderson looks to ’12.
Reality: Nailed that one. But who’s to say if the cash-poor Wilpons can ever be big spenders again?
Expectation: It won’t snow much this winter.
Reality: Look out the window.
