Teixeira: Pettitte 'Probably Leaning Toward Retirement'
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- According to Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, all signs point toward Andy Pettitte retiring after thirteen years in pinstripes.
"If he's leaning one way, he's probably leaning toward retirement," Teixeira said on Tuesday. "It's no secret right now that's probably where he's leaning."
Teixeira, one of Pettitte's closest friends on the Yankees, discussed the veteran lefty while in Times Square, promoting Thursday's Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
"None of us want to pressure him," said the Yankees first baseman. "We'd love to have him back, but if it's not in the cards for him and his family we're going to wish him the best of luck."
Yankees president Randy Levine also gave his thoughts on Pettitte during Tuesday's festivities.
"Andy's a great Yankee and a great person and I know he'll give it thought and follow his heart and we'll respect his decision," Levine said. "But we're out there, all of us, hoping every day that he comes back."
Earlier this month, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Pettitte "told me personally he was leaning toward retirement."
Pettitte went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 2010 while missing two months because of a groin strain, a year after going 14-8 with a 4.16 ERA.
Yankee Stadium, built just across the street from the original ballpark, will be hosting its first bowl game since the Gotham Bowl on Dec. 15, 1962, when Nebraska edged Miami 36-34.
