This afternoon before leaving for school I turned on twitter and the first thing I see is a tweet from the Kay Show about Andy Pettitte announcing his retirement tomorrow.

At first I didn't want to believe it because it's been a looming thing all offseason, but once other writers like Jack Curry and Marc Carig started tweeting about it that's when it really hit me.

I have been a Yankee fan since pretty much the day I was born, but I didn't get very in tune with my fandom until about 1995.  I've watched Pettitte pitch since day one.

My father took me to my first game in 1998.  He had gotten the tickets through work and I was thrilled he took me along because we really couldn't afford to go to many games.  I remember Bob Sheppard's voice booming Pettitte's name throughout the entire stadium.

When Pettitte left for Houston in free agency I was very upset.  I was happy that he was happy and wanted to be closer to his family, but I was going to miss seeing him pitch every five days.  However I did turn to some friends of mine and said, "He is going to retire in pinstripes.  I guarantee it."  Sure enough three seasons later Pettitte was back in pinstripes and helped the team win another title in 2009.

Here's to you Andy Pettitte.  Thank you for everything.  Coming back to New York really shows how much you truly love playing in pinstripes and for your fans.  I'm going to really miss "the stare."  I'm very happy that you are retiring as a Yankee.  You deserve the best.  I wish you the best in your retirement.