The 1 and Only … Pitcher with 2,000 strikeouts in a Yankees uniform: Andy Pettitte
The Time: 1995-2003, 2007-10, 2012-13
The Background: After the Yankees drafted him in 1990, Pettitte made his MLB debut in 1995 and went on to finish third in voting for AL Rookie of the Year. In 1996, he was the runner-up for the AL Cy Young.
The Skinny: Pettitte broke Whitey Ford’s franchise strikeout record on July 1, 2013, at Minnesota. A little more than two months later on Sept. 6 in The Bronx, Pettitte struck out Boston’s David Ross for No. 2,000 as a Yankee, on his way to a final total of 2,020.
The Others Who Came Closest: Whitey Ford spent 16 years with the Yankees and the 10-time All-Star retired in 1967 with 1,956 career strikeouts. Ron Guidry spent his entire 14-year career with the Yankees and amassed 1,778 strikeouts. The most recent Yankees pitcher to come somewhat close was CC Sabathia, who finished his time with the Yankees at 1,700 strikeouts.
The Quote: “I honestly stopped caring a long time ago about guys who pass me on lists or break my records, but I’m happy for Andy. It’s a great accomplishment for a guy who’s already had a great career. I’ve always liked Andy, right from the start.” — Whitey Ford, upon Pettitte passing him on the Yankees’ strikeout list.
The Aftermath: The 2013 season was the Yankees’ worst since 1992, as they failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and only the second time in 19 years. Pettitte retired following the 2013 season, along with fellow pitching great Mariano Rivera.
The Legacy: Pettitte, who is 47, was a five-time World Series champion with three All-Star nods, including the 2001 ALCS MVP. He has the most wins in MLB postseason history with 19. The lefty was also known for having an exceptional pickoff move to first base, and he posted 98 career pickoffs. Pettitte finished his career with 2,448 strikeouts between both the Yankees and Astros. Despite admitting in 2007 that he used steroids to help expedite his recovery from an elbow injury, he remains a Yankees fan favorite, a beloved member of the “Core Four” of the Yankees’ late-’90s dynasty that produced four championships.