Andy Pettitte’s Hall of Fame Case: Climbing, But Still Facing Headwinds
Andy Pettitte’s Hall of Fame journey is entering its final stretch-and while the legendary Yankees left-hander continues to build momentum, he won’t be crossing the finish line in 2026. This marks his eighth year on the ballot, and with just two more chances left before his case is handed off to the Eras Committee, time is running short. But if recent trends are any indication, Pettitte’s candidacy is far from over.
Last year, Pettitte finished with just 27.9% of the vote-well short of the 75% threshold required for induction. That’s a steep hill to climb, but not an impossible one.
We’ve seen late surges before. Jack Morris and Bert Blyleven both endured long waits before finally earning their plaques in Cooperstown.
Pettitte’s trajectory could follow a similar path.
What’s keeping his case alive? The numbers don’t tell the whole story-but they certainly help.
Pettitte racked up 256 career wins and logged more than a decade’s worth of 200-inning seasons, a level of durability that’s increasingly rare in the modern game. But his biggest calling card is October.
No pitcher in MLB history has more postseason wins or innings pitched than Pettitte. He was a constant presence on the mound in the biggest moments of the Yankees’ dynasty years, collecting five World Series rings along the way.
That kind of postseason resume doesn’t just happen-it’s built on consistency, competitiveness, and trust from his managers.
Statistically, Pettitte’s career mirrors that of CC Sabathia, who was elected on the first ballot last year. Sure, Sabathia had the flashier strikeout numbers and a more dominant peak, but Pettitte’s case is built on longevity and postseason excellence.
And right now, he’s gaining ground. Before private ballots are factored in, Pettitte is tracking at 55.8%-a significant jump from last year.
He’s picked up 20 new votes from returning voters and is sitting at 70% among first-time electors. Once the final tally comes in, he’s expected to finish north of 40%.
That’s not Cooperstown yet, but it’s a real step forward.
Still, the Hall of Fame voting process has its quirks-and its roadblocks. One of them?
The human element. Regional biases, personal preferences, and yes, even old rivalries can factor into how ballots are filled out.
And nowhere is that more evident than in Boston, where Pettitte’s name didn’t get much love this year.
Out of six writers from the Boston Globe, only two included Pettitte on their ballots. That’s the same number who voted for Alex Rodriguez, despite his well-documented suspension and complicated legacy. One ballot in particular raised eyebrows: Dan Shaughnessy submitted a one-name vote-for Dustin Pedroia, and no one else.
Now, Pedroia was a terrific player. He played with heart, won an MVP, and was the emotional engine of a championship team.
But even Pedroia’s most passionate supporters would admit his Hall of Fame case is borderline, especially given how injuries cut his career short. For him to be the only name on a ballot that also included Pettitte, Andruw Jones, Félix Hernández, and several other worthy candidates?
That’s not just a bold stance-it’s a baffling one.
Pettitte’s case deserves more than that. So do the other players on the ballot who’ve spent their careers building resumes worthy of real consideration.
Whether you ultimately vote them in or not, the process should reflect the gravity of the honor. It should be thoughtful, thorough, and fair.
As for Pettitte, the clock is ticking-but the door is still open. If his current momentum holds, and if enough voters take a hard look at his full body of work-regular season durability, postseason dominance, and a career spent in the thick of baseball’s biggest moments-he’s got a shot to make it in. It may not happen this year, but don’t count him out just yet.