With the 1996 World Series tied at two games apiece, Pettitte took a shutout into the ninth inning of Game 5 against the Atlanta Braves, a 1-0 Yankees win that set the table for the franchise's first title since 1978. The winningest pitcher in postseason history, Pettitte's playoff counting stats obviously got a boost with the introduction of a wild-card team and Division Series his rookie year, but it wasn't just quantity. NEVER MISS A MOMENT: Follow our sports newsletter for daily updates
With all that in mind, USA TODAY Sports takes a look at Pettitte's complicated Hall of Fame case: The club retired his number in 2015, which is a big deal for an admitted PED user. Pettitte was beloved in the Bronx even after the Mitchell Report as part of the "Core Four" with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada who won their fifth ring together in 2009. Still, you can't tell the story of those Yankee teams without a chapter on Pettitte, whose arrival in 1995 coincided with the team snapping a 14-year postseason drought. Pettitte won 256 games in his 18-year career, averaging 30 starts and a 15-9 record from 1996-2010. Pettitte holds the all-time records with 19 playoff wins and 44 starts, helping the Yankees win it all in 1996, '98, '99, 2000 and '09 – his final ring coming after a stint with the Houston Astros.Ĭertainly not a slam-dunk candidate with a 3.89 career ERA, Pettitte hasn't even gotten the time of day due to his use of human growth hormone, exposed in the 2007 Mitchell report along with Roger Clemens.
One of the most consistent performers on five World Series championship teams, left-hander Andy Pettitte enters his fifth year on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, presenting an interesting case as a New York Yankees legend – and admitted user of performance-enhancing drugs.
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