In Defense of Andy Pettitte

Recently the Yankees announced that they would retire the numbers of three of the greatest players in franchise history, and give them plaques in Monument Park. Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte. Posada, a decent Hall of Fame case notwithstanding, and the great Bernie Williams have certainly earned the honor. Pettitte, however, raised many questions, due to his use of the banned-substance Human Growth Hormone (HGH). Many were appalled at the notion that the Yankees would knowingly honor a cheater.

But is Pettitte a cheater? That answer isn't what you might think.

Pettitte admitted in a 2007 press conference that he did, in fact, use HGH in 2002 in order to heal his ailing elbow quicker and return to form in time to pitch again during the season. There is no question about that. He was never banned or suspended for the incidents.

Because he never used a banned substance.

HGH was not banned by Major League Baseball until January 2005, nearly three years after Pettitte used it. Furthermore, it does not appear to have given him an edge, as his win total actually decreased from 15 to 13 during the season, due in part to his injury. There is no evidence that Pettitte benefited at all from his use of the HGH.

His numbers speak for themselves, 256 wins against 153 losses, and 19 postseason victories (an MLB record). His 2,020 strikeouts in pinstripes are a Yankee record, 219 wins third all-time, and 438 games started tie for first with Whitey Ford. His 148 wins from 2000-2009 were the most of any pitcher during the decade, and he played a vital role in five World Series Championships (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009).

And according to the rules, he really did do it all clean.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3156305