[SI, Yahoo] Yankees close to deal with Pettitte

Eh, I went to a Yankees game back in 2005 and was less than impressed. The place was a dump and the smack talked by the fans to us was terrible.

 

Honestly, I believe if he went 2-0 with 16 IP, 12-15 K, and a 0.something ERA in the Astros' victorious 2007 or 2008 World Series (or BOTH ) wearing the Houston Mud-n-Blood, that could change. I mean, Rocket's not thought of a Red Sox and always a Red Sox.

 

Have you gone to a playoff game, or World Series game?

COMPLETELY different atmosphere.

 

I've been to a few playoff games the last two appearances in Houston and the atmosphere was unreal.

 

I'm sure New Yorkers get pretty rowdy during the playoffs, but I remember throughout the playoffs comentators would always mention how loud it was in MMP with the roof closed. Hell, during the World Series Guillen went out his way to find that rule that said we couldn't keep the roof closed.

 

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...t_id=1751177&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

 

I was at the 18 inning and bought the video of it off of mlb.com. You can definately tell it gets louder in MMP during the playoffs than in most other MLB ballparks.

 

That's true... but Rocket has also pitched for THREE other teams besides the Red Sox. And not only has he pitched for them, he's pitched GREAT, and won a Cy Young award with all three of them.

Pettite was a Yankee farmhand, was a 21 year-old pitching in the World Series for them, and then proceeded to pitch there for 8 more years and 5 more World Series... I know we all desire him to remain an Astro (which I think he still will be), but we shouldn't slight his career or his overall impact as a Yankee.

 

That's true... and it very well is comparable to the atmosphere in NY (both of them are impressive in different ways...)

But, the playoffs are ALWAYS going to be in Yankee Stadium... not a given for MMP.

 

Good point, unfortunately.

 

You're right, and I don't mean to slight those 9 years. But if he has 6 in Houston, including 3 or 4 WS appearances (yeah, I know)...

 

AP for 1 year is worth much more than 2 years of WW. I'd be very disappointed if AP signed elsewhere for 15 mil or less after giving WW 12.5 for two years.

 

If Andy is not an Astro next year... it won't be because he wanted too much money.

The Astros need to get another starter... and Andy would be the best fit, even if it is costly. The other good pitchers out there will cost about that much, and there's no guarantee any of them are willing to come to Houston (assuming they get similiar contract offers from elsewhere).

 

I always got the impression that Andy was not happy pitching here for some reason.

This news doesn't surprise me a bit.

 

roof open i'd have to agree with you however when the roof is closed MMP is one of the loudest baseball parks on the face of the earth.

 

I already said that nothing compares, in volume, to the sound created by MMP in 2004 and 2005.

But, if you ever have a chance to go to a playoff game at Yankee Stadium (in particular, a Yankees-Red Sox playoff game), you'll see a different level of enthusiasm that won't be measured by volume alone.

Its about cheering with intensity at all critical points in the game... its about the constant chanting... its about the constant heckling/ridiculing... its about the fans showing tons of passion, but combining it with some incredible knowledege for the game.

I would say, however, that Houston playoff crowds are FAR better than St. Louis playoff crowds (or any crowd from St. Louis). Cardinals fans cheer ONLY when something good happens, and then they'll go overboard and give guys curtain calls for hitting a HR to make it 3-1 in the third inning.

Also, the fact that this environment is cultivated in NY almost EVERY year is also a big factor... Atlanta was an example of a place that deteriorated as a fan base the more times their team made the playoffs.

 

No doubt... haha, check out MLB '06 on vid game systems. Most stadiums, not a whole lot going on. Your random "popcorn" and cheering and whatever. Yanks? You'll hear "DE-REK JE-TER" and "MAT-SU-I, MAT-SU-I", etc. Even they picked up on it

 

Is there any possible way for the Astros to resign Andy and still sign Schmit as well?

 

NY State has an income tax which I would guess would take a 1.5 to 2 mill chunk out of that. That plus a home town discount with some reachable, if healthy, incentives and I bet we did not offer much over $10-11 mil.

 

What has NY done to improve a dysfunctional pile of talent. Likewise Boston?. Are they that much better than last year?

AL East is tougher than NL Central even if cubs improve, (After all they are the Cubs!). Milwaukee will be a few games better.

Point is If Pettite and Clemens are about a championship they have to look hard at the improved Astros. If they are about bringing a WS pennant to Houston, this is their best chance since they got here.

If they are about the money, well.................................