Unser Chat » wasnt easy to shake

NEW YORK -- Andy Pettitte had no interest in a farewell tour or some big pronouncement regarding his (second) retirement. Anything more than a conference call the day after the season would only feel embarrassing. "Because Ive done this before," said a sheepish Pettitte, who briefly stepped away from baseball two years ago. "I feel awkward doing this right now, to tell you the truth." Still, the New York Yankees pitcher was having a hard time telling people he wasnt sure if he would be back next season when he already knew this was it. And he wanted to thank fans for all their support, something he wished he had a chance to do the first time. So after discussing it with several close friends -- including Mariano Rivera over lunch in Toronto -- Pettitte chose to formally announce his decision at a Yankee Stadium news conference Friday. "Im ready to be home again," Pettitte said. "But the biggest thing is, Im just done." In a statement released Friday afternoon, hours before the Yankees began their final homestand, the 41-year-old Pettitte said he has reached the point where he knows he has left everything he has on the field. The left-hander initially retired after the 2010 season, but sat out only one year before returning to the Yankees. This time, he means it. "The time is right. Ive exhausted myself, mentally and physically, and thats exactly how I want to leave this game," he said. In a nice bit of symmetry, Pettitte is scheduled to make two more starts this season -- one at Yankee Stadium and the other in his hometown of Houston. "That is crazy. It really is. Its cool that its going to work out that way," he said. Pettitte is set to pitch against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, when the Yankees will honour Rivera in a pregame ceremony. Baseballs career saves leader also is retiring. Pettitte said one of the things he struggled with in making an announcement was "doing anything to take away from Marianos day" because of how much Rivera has meant to him and his career. Rivera, however, encouraged Pettitte to say goodbye at Yankee Stadium. "He thinks its going to make the day even better," Pettitte said. "I feel like were connected." Rivera has saved 72 of Pettittes 255 career wins, the most for any tandem in major league history. "Its like brothers. We came up in this organization at the same time. Weve been through good times and bad times," Rivera said. "Now we go out together, too." Asked if he had any regrets, Pettitte mentioned human growth hormone. He has admitted using the banned substance years ago, saying he did it in an effort to recover faster from an injury. He said he would never want kids to think he tried to cheat. "I know my heart. Ive never tried to cheat this game. Never tried to cheat anything in my life," Pettitte said. "Thats the truth." Pettitte holds MLB records for post-season wins (19) and starts (44), but it would take quite a surge by the Yankees for him to get an opportunity to add to those marks. They began the day 3 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay and Texas for the second AL wild card, with three other teams in between. A three-time All-Star, Pettitte has helped New York to seven AL pennants and five World Series championships during 15 seasons in pinstripes. He was the MVP of the 2001 AL championship series and is the franchise leader in career strikeouts with 2,009. He joined longtime buddies Rivera, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada to make up the "Core Four" that has led the Yankees to more than a decade and a half of sustained success. "Weve had a great run here," Pettitte said. "I just feel like my time here is done." Jeter, limited by injuries to just 17 games this season, will be the only one left next year. "Ive known about this for a while, but I just havent thought about it," he said. "Youre not going to see that again, I dont think." Pettitte said he probably wouldnt have made a comeback last year if general manager Brian Cashman hadnt called to gauge his interest. The original plan was to return for one season, but a broken ankle that sidelined Pettitte for almost three months changed his mind. He knew coming into 2013 that this would be it, and nothing thats happened since has made him vacillate -- including a back injury that wasnt easy to shake. Pettitte is 10-10 with a 3.93 ERA in 28 starts. After a rough patch, he has pitched particularly well down the stretch with New York desperately chasing a playoff berth. "Vintage Andy Pettitte. Crunch time, hes always there," manager Joe Girardi said. "Its just who Andy Pettitte is. When the stakes get higher, he gets better." Asked for his greatest moment, Pettitte mentioned the first championship he won with the Yankees in 1996 -- which ended an 18-year drought for the franchise. His final start is scheduled for next weekend against Houston, the only team for which he has played besides the Yankees. Pettitte spent 2004-06 with the Astros, teaming with Roger Clemens to help the club make its only World Series appearance in 2005. In retirement, Pettitte said he will spend time with his wife and four children, travel and get very involved at church again. "Its been a long, hard year," he said. "Ive been retired and I know what its going to be like. Its awesome." Nike Air Max Cheap Australia . Winning more at home probably should be on the list. The Flames look to avoid a fifth defeat in six home games by winning a sixth straight meeting with the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Cheapest Air Max Shoes Australia . Bozak and Clarkson suffered the injuries in pre-training camp workouts, according to Carlyle, who said they made "small amounts of improvement" from Friday to Saturday. After the players were deemed less than 100 per cent by doctors after Thursdays medical testing, the Leafs held them out of on-ice testing and are being cautious. http://www.wholesaleaustraliaairmax.com/ . The Toronto Blue Jays star won his second consecutive Hank Aaron Award as the most outstanding offensive performer in the AL on Monday after votes by fans and a panel of Hall of Famers were tallied. Cheap Nike Air Max Australia . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Nike Air Max On Sale Australia .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. CLEVELAND -- Tyronn Lue is joining the Cavaliers as a coach after all. Lue, who had two interviews during Clevelands recent coaching search but didnt get the job, was hired as an associate head coach on new Cavs coach David Blatts staff. General manager David Griffin was impressed with Lue as he looked for a coach, and believes the former Los Angeles Clippers assistant can help the Cavs rebound from a tough season. "Over the past several weeks, it became clear that Ty could play a key role in our teams future success," said Griffin. "Ty fits our culture and vision for the franchise. His successful experience as both a player and coach is going to help us tremendously. Tyronn Lue joining Coach Blatts staff is more than exciting to all of us here in Cleveland. The leadership and knowledge of Ty is going to be critically important as we move into a new era of competitive Cavaliers basketball." Yahoo! first reported Lues hiring. Lue was one of the finalists to get the Cleveland job before it went to Blatt, who signed a three-year contract with a fourth year club option on Friday. The 55-year-old Blatt has never coached in the NBA -- or the U.S. -- so bringing in a coach with Lues experience will help him and give the Cavs an insurance policy. "I could not be happier that Ty will be joining the Cavaliers coaching staff as my top assistant," Blatt said. "I loook forward to leveraging all of his experiences and expertise into our teams development.dddddddddddd "This is a character guy and winner himself who played and worked with some of the greatest talents and successful leaders in NBA history. I am thrilled to have him by my side as we get to work in Cleveland." The 37-year-old Lue played guard for 11 seasons with seven NBA teams. He won NBA titles as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000 and 2001. Lue spent the past five years working on Doc Rivers staff in Boston and Los Angeles and is regarded as one of the leagues rising young coaches. Lue thanked Rivers for his "deep support, mentorship and friendship" and "helping prepare me so well for this next step and challenge." Lue sees Cleveland as a great opportunity. "Through numerous discussions with David and Griff, I felt Cleveland is a great situation for me," he said. "I believe my background will help me play a key part in helping achieve the vision that the leadership of this franchise has for its team. I cant wait to get to work with Coach Blatt and our players." As the Cavs consider other candidates to join Blatts staff, they are finalizing plans for Thursdays draft. Cleveland has the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row and is expected to select either Duke forward Jabari Parker or Kansas forward Andrew Wiggins. Authentic Nike Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Tennessee Titans Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Washington Redskins Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Arizona Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Denver Broncos Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Green Bay Packers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike New England Patriots Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Oakland Raiders Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Seattle Seahawks Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Carolina Panthers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Cleveland Browns Jerseys Cheap Cheap Throwback Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Atlanta Braves Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Baltimore Orioles Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Boston Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Chicago Cubs Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Chicago White Sox Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Cincinnati Reds Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Cleveland Indians Jerseys ' ' '