WHY "GAMERS" NEVER SAY DIE

Andy Pettitte is clearly one of the most determined pitchers the Yankees have ever had. He starts the series tonight against Boston and that's great for the Yankees. The one major concern however is his stiff back. Andy's getting older and while he is still a gamer, he knows his limitations. My question is this, what if something happens tonight to further damage Andy's achy back?

Say Andy pitches 6 or 7 innings, a few strikeouts, and let's the the Yankees build a lead and at the same time tamps down any possiblity of a Sox rally, without showing any signs of back problems, we have a shot. Not only tonight but in the playoffs.

But, say Andy goes 5 innings tonight, gives up 3 runs, and feels sourness. Taking him out is something that needs to be done immediately. Then you have to worry about the playoffs. We need this guy big time in the playoffs and without him we have CC, Hughes and Moseley or Burnett. (I didn't include Vasquez because I think the dude's a goner.) That rotation will not get us past the 1st round, UNLESS we overuse our bullpen and step up our hitting big time. You can't count on that every night because then you screw your bullpen as well.

Look, I'm confident and I'm not going to be doom and gloom and there is a very good chance that Andy is fine, but Andy Pettitte has always been honest. He was honest during the Clemens scandal. He was honest in the playoffs last year when he said he felt terrible pitching in the World Series, and he is honest when he tells you he's not 100% before he pitches. He's also honest when he tells you he feels great. That's why the fans love him. I suspect he's got some back pain (not strain) and can labor through it without further injury but for God sake, I hope he doesn't become dishonest today and let the team down tonight like David Wells did all those years ago in Game 5 of the 2003 World Series when he started the game and got pulled with back trouble. The last thing I want to see is Andy trying to pitch and then need to leave with injury and let us all down, himself included.

Pitching takes a strong arm. It also takes strong legs and back. The last thing we need is a barking back. Gook luck tonight Yanks let's do this. Do it Andy and keep it honest all the way.

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