Andy Back in Bronx

Friday, January 12, 2007

By PETE CALDERA
BERGEN COUNTY RECORD


NEW YORK -- As Andy Pettitte flashed a shy, familiar smile and unfurled his No. 46 jersey for the cameras at Yankee Stadium, his wife, Laura, beamed by his side.

But his famous friend stayed in Texas, where he's likely to remain for months.

Roger Clemens could be fronting the Yankees' rotation by late June, a scenario that seems more plausible by the day. Pettitte believes that Clemens wants to pitch in 2007, but The Rocket won't be reporting with pitchers and catchers in 32 days.

"I think spring training would probably, definitely be out," Pettitte said with a laugh. "But you don't even know what Roger is really going to do."

Adding Clemens makes sense for a club that just dealt Randy Johnson. For now, Pettitte -- three years removed from his last Yankee tour, with one more elbow surgery on his resume -- is their veteran staff ace.

"If Roger's interested in coming to New York ... then, yeah, it'd be a full-court press," general manager Brian Cashman said.

But the Yankees' strategy is for Clemens to make his decision without interference.

"I can do every trick in the book," Cashman said. But in the end, it's just "wasted energy."

Pettitte agreed, though he probably knows where Clemens is leaning.


"As a friend of his, it wouldn't be fair for me to say anything he shared with me," said Pettitte, who golfed with Clemens last week.

"After speaking to him, it sounds like he wants to try to pitch. It's amazing -- it's like he's 20. He just has an unbelievable amount of energy," Pettitte said. "As far as I'm concerned, he's the greatest pitcher who ever played the game.

"When you add him, your expectations are even higher."

For weeks, manager Joe Torre, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter were steady voices in Pettitte's ear. Still, their influence couldn't match Pettitte's family, and his idyllic home on the range.

In Houston, Pettitte said he channeled his inner cowboy.

"The longer I stayed, the further away I felt [from New York]," Pettitte said. "Literally three months ago, I never would've dreamed I'd be here today."

At age 34, retirement was a consideration until Pettitte's family urged him to continue. His elbow felt fine once he started throwing this winter -- despite needing a cortisone shot late last season.

When the Yankees made him a priority (to Pettitte's surprise), and his wife gave her consent, Pettitte left Houston behind.

In the Yankees' assessment, Pettitte ranked among the top of free agent starters, and he only wanted a one-year deal.

Cashman signed Pettitte for $16 million, but acknowledged the risks that remain.

After the 2003 season, the Yankees had reservations about re-signing Pettitte long-term, due to chronic elbow problems. As it happened, Pettitte said he re-injured his elbow during his first Astros start, but started 15 games before requiring surgery.

But Pettitte (17-9, 2.39) bounced back in 2005, helping Houston win its first pennant. He felt even stronger last year (14-13, 4.20), and he's pitched 4352/3 innings over the past two seasons.

Three years ago, Cashman conceded, "we might have done a better job at showing how we felt [about Pettitte]."

Despite his strong feelings about Clemens, Cashman wouldn't reveal whether the Yankees were inclined to grant the special privileges that Clemens enjoys in Houston -- such as frequent trips home in-season.

While Pettitte house hunts in Westchester, he'll resist the urge to seek shelter for Clemens, too. "I'd never try to [influence] him," Pettitte said. "That's his decision."

BRIEFS: Though Cashman continues to keep an "open and honest dialogue" with Bernie Williams, there's currently no room for him. Though nothing's been said, one possible option could have Williams reporting to camp as a non-roster invitee.

Cashman indicated Scott Proctor was not a starting option, and that he didn't necessarily need to add another lefty reliever. Bergenfield's Ron Villone remains a free agent, but Cashman mentioned rookie Sean Henn as a viable lefty relief option, and touted Proctor, Luis Vizcaino and Kyle Farnsworth as able to neutralize lefty hitters.

E-mail: caldera@northjersey.com