Andy Pettitte’s presence around the Yankees cuts against the idea that the organization has completely pushed away its former stars.
That conversation picked up again this week after Jorge Posada’s appearance on The New York Post’s “The Show” podcast. The former Yankees catcher, a World Series champion, said the team doesn’t make him feel welcome and that they don’t want him around when asked whether he would ever consider helping the club.
Posada’s comments landed in a broader wave of criticism from ex-Yankees after the team’s exit in the ALDS this year. CC Sabathia added to that chorus, saying the Yankees no longer set the standard for winning because they don’t have their franchise legends around the organization anymore.
But the claim that the Yankees have completely shut out the “Core Four” doesn’t hold up. Pettitte is the clearest reason why.
Pettitte pitched for New York from 1995-2003, 2007-2010 and 2012-2013, and he rejoined the club as an advisor coach in July of 2023. He now officially works as a special assistant to Yankees GM Brian Cashman.
His role is more than ceremonial. As Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reported in late September, Pettitte also serves as a mentor to Yankees ace and AL Cy Young front-runner Cam Schlittler. The two stay in close and constant contact during the season, and Pettitte comes to some Yankees games to offer advice during Schlittler’s starts.
Schlittler isn’t the only pitcher getting help from Pettitte when he’s around. When Pettitte is not back home in Texas, he is often at Yankee Stadium talking with pitchers and pitching coaches around the bullpen, dugout and clubhouse.
He was also spotted throwing batting practice to the Yankees before Game 1 of the AL Wild Card series against the AL East rival Boston Red Sox last month.
So yes, one member of the “Core Four” is clearly still involved with the Yankees. That doesn’t mean the organization couldn’t do more with its former players, and Pettitte’s presence looks like a positive one. But the idea that the Yankees have no ex-players around the team anymore simply isn’t true.
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