With their rotation looking relatively thin throughout the regular season and in definite need of some assistance, Yankee fans found themselves disappointed Andy Pettitte was set on remaining retired. Pettitte was able to still pitch effectively for New York last season, so he surely could have helped during the regular season this year. Given his track record of success in the postseason, the Yankees probably would have used him in October as well.
Fear not, New York fans — Pettitte is still helping you win crucial games. Ivan Nova’s regular season success was a huge part of the reason the Yankees reached the postseason. Coincidentally, Nova also became the ALDS Game 1 starter for New York. He pitched into the seventh and allowed only two runs on four hits, notching his first career playoff victory. According to the NY Post, Pettitte offered Nova some uselful advice before that outing.
“He really helped me a lot,” Nova said. “He is a tremendous person. That’s the example you got to take. Who has more success than him in the playoffs? That’s the guy who can help me in the process. He really did the last game. One thing he told me was if you got trouble in one inning, any inning, to get in your mind one pitch can take you out of the game. One pitch can finish that inning and one pitch can take you out of the game. You have to try and execute that pitch.”
It appears the postseason success has continued into 2011 for one of the best left-handed hurlers of our generation.
