But it was a decision that the Yankees had to expect and an adjustment they will cope with on the field and in the clubhouse. The past three years there has been speculation as to when Pettitte, third on the Yankees all-time win list would call it quits.

General Manager Brian Cashman knew the day was coming, even though there was hope that Pettitte would reconsider and give him one more year. Because the Yankees pitching rotation is that much thinner without Pettitte, the 38-year old lefthander who set a major league record for postseason wins at 19-10.

Cashman had that look of disappointment hoping he would get another year out of the lefthander. He wasn’t saying much as to where the Yankees go from here with their pitching rotation.  They made some minor moves in the past few weeks signing veterans Bartolo Colon and Freddie Garcia to spring training deals, obviously knowing that this day was coming.

And is always the case with the Yankees, they won’t sit still. They always have a way of filling a void at some juncture before or during the season. However it is quite clear, at the moment, that Pettitte will not pull a Bret Favre or Roger Clemens fiasco and decide that he needs to be back on the mound.

However Petitte did not rule out a return. He said he can still pitch and would be ready to throw when pitchers and catchers report to Tampa for spring training in 12 days. “I’m one hundred percent not playing this season,” he said with a smile, “but I can never say never.”

“It just didn’t feel right for me anymore,” said Pettitte claiming he felt he was done when he left Arlington Stadium in October when the Yankees season ended with a loss to the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series. “I didn’t have the hunger, the drive I felt I needed,” he said.

And when Bernie Williams walked in the conference room, as Pettitte was talking, the emotions were flowing. They were teammates for the four championship teams under manager Joe Torre, a part of the core four with Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter that remain.

“Those guys are huge reasons why I have been so successful,” he said.  And the reason he returned to the Yankees after pitching three years with the Houston Astros was to get another ring, be with the core again, and pitch at the new Yankee Stadium.

He said, “Coming Back here helping them win another championship was extra special.”  There was some mention about his decision having to do with appearing as a witness this summer at the trial of his former teammate Clemens, who lied to a congressional committee and a denial of using performance enhancing drugs.

“That has not had any affect,” said Pettitte, “I mean zero in my decision. It’s had no impact in my life.”

The next chapter in his life is spending time with his family down in Texas, watching his son play baseball, his girl play volleyball and having summer vacations with the family.  There is always the possibility that Pettitte could return to the Yankees family as a coach, or as a broadcaster, and there will be an invite to Oldtimer’s Day with other Yankees legends.

Manager Joe Girardi sat in the front row along with Cashman leaving the spotlight to Pettitte and his wife at the podium. “We will miss the relationships we had with him back in the clubhouse,” said Girardi knowing also that there is definite void now in his pitching rotation.

Pettitte finishes his career second in starts as a Yankee pitcher, behind Whitey Ford with a 240-138 record and 3.83 ERA. Hall of Fame numbers perhaps for his post season exploits.

For now Pettitte retires as a Yankee and hopefully there is no desperation from the Yankees hierarchy to lure him back if there is indeed a need for pitching in mid season.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Patience is a virtue as they say. And for Tejada recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on August 7^th, the learning process of being on a big league roster have probably earned him the starting second base job at Citi Field next season.

The roster move back in August came when the Mets released veteran infielder and clubhouse leader Alex Cora. “He helped me a lot, spoke to me about what to expect and how to play the big field,” Tejada said recently about his experience of playing in New York and taking Cora in as a mentor.

Tuesday night at Citi Field in the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Mets trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by two runs, in a game that meant nothing but playing for pride, Tejada got his chance. He hit an inside fastball off   Brewers hard throwing left handed closer John Axford.

The ball went into the left center field gap and Luis Castillo came home with the Mets seventh walk-off win of the season 4-3. Tejada was mobbed at home plate by his teammates after going 3-for-4 The second of his two doubles became the big hit with his two runs batted in.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel has always been an advocate of using Tejada as the every day second baseman which regulated the big contract of Castillo to the bench And when infielder Luis Hernandez broke his foot and ended his season on the prior home stand, the second base job and batting eighth in the lineup was permanent for Tejada.

“It was a matter of him getting some hits to fall for him,” said Manuel about the game wining hit that gave the Mets their first win of the season when trailing after eight innings. “Some things fell in for him tonight, that’s a great confidence boost for him.  He’s trying to establish to himself where he belongs on this level and he did a good job tonight,”

Tejada, who makes his off season home in Veraguas Panama has made it known that the adjustment to the big city has been a patient process, Just like being patient at the plate where he has been struggling to keep his average over .200.

“I feel great and hit the ball hard to the left fielder and won the game,’ he said after what hopefully will be many more of his walk off wins for the Mets. On the situation, he said, “I think I’m looking for my count and hit the ball to center field to tie the game.”

It was more than a game tying hit. It became the game winning hit that gave the Mets a good start to their final seven games of the season at home. “I want to finish up strong, we want to finish strong,” he said.

The three hits tied a career high that were achieved against the Pirates on September 14^th. Back on September 5^th, Tejada also became the second Met this season that had a five RBI game. “I saw the ball good that day,” he said and the wind was also blowing out that day at Wrigley Field.

“It’s been a great experience for me I’m learning a lot, it’s good,” commented Tejada. He will pack his bags after the final game Sunday and return home to be with his mother and members of his family, and then possibly play winter ball in Venezuela.

Something the Mets hope for is the continued development of their youngsters.  The future at Citi Field revolves around players like Tejada, and draft picks such as Ike Davis, Lucas Duda and pitcher Dillon Gee.

And as Tejada says, “I hope to be a part of that future.” A game wining hit and continued patience certainly have almost assured a welcome mat for Tejada at Citi Field next April as their starting second baseman.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Rodriguez took his anguish out on reporters in the clubhouse when asked “If he was ready to pitch.”  Because the Mets bullpen imploded and squandered a lead, as K-Rod with two outs in the eighth inning was not called on by manager Jerry Manuel to get a four-out save.

“I didn’t pitch,” said an angered Rodriguez. “I don’t have to talk to you guys,” as he stormed out of the clubhouse and is now known, he assaulted his father-in-law. With the bases loaded, Manuel opted to use the seldom used Manny Acosta who threw a 2-2 curve to Melvin Mora that went over the left field wall.

The grand slam for Mora, the fourth of his career and a National League leading ninth given up by Mets pitchers this season, also epitomized another night of frustration that may have also put a final dent in any hopes for a Mets postseason. The Mets failed to win back-to-back games for the 42^nd straight time, and the K-Rod incident also indicates a frustration and implosion of a season gone bad.

Acosta followed the grand slam with a walk and two singles, including a run scoring single hit by Clint Barmes to short left. “It was a slider, a good pitch,” commented Acosta about the home run ball thrown to Mora.

“I’ve been in this situation many years, and I know the pressure isn’t on me it’s on the pitcher,” said Mora about his grand slam. The former Met added, : “I love that pressure and I love that situation.”

“I knew he had a chance when he swung the ball, it was a big hit, a big win,” said Carlos Gonzalez,” ranked in the top five of the National League in average, home runs, RBI and ruins scored.

Manuel defended his reason for not using K-Rod in the situation, way before his closer had his eruption in the clubhouse and then taken into custody. “Usually when we use K-Rod the night before we wouldn’t take that shot,” he said referring to Rodriguez working the previous evening when he notched his 25^th save with a perfect ninth inning.

“We have to find a way to get that out,” he said. “We have no margin of error.” And Mets fans, many of the 30,554 who left after the bullpen implosion let Manuel know they were displeased not bringing in K-Rod by chanting a “Fire Jerry” chant. The Mets trail first place Atlanta by 9-1/2 games and need to jump over six other teams in the wild card race.

“That’s part of it,” Manuel said. “When you make decisions and they don’t work out New York will let you know.”  The Mets were limited to three hits as the offense continues to struggle. David Wright also heard it from the fans, striking out four times which tied a career high. Since the all-star break, Wright is hitting .196 and .061 in the month of August.

After a first inning where the Mets scored their two runs on the 10^th home run of the season hit by Angel Pagan, a career high, the Mets would produce one walk and one other hit.  At one point Rockies pitching struck out seven straight, including winning pitcher Matt Belisle (5-4) who came out of the pen and struck out three in the seventh.

The Mets did not get a base runner after the fifth inning. “I’m not having much fun right now,” said Wright, its rough.” As for the fans also getting on his case, he said “They are obviously frustrated as we are. The fans have every right to voice their opinion.”

Jonathon Niese gave up one run in seven innings and struck out seven failing to get the decision as the Mets bullpen gave up five Colorado runs in the eighth inning with two outs. “This is rough,” said Niese. “It’s tough to watch.”

Manuel said Niese was complaining about pain in his lower hamstring, a reason he did not come out for the eighth, But, like so many negative conditions that exist with the Mets, Niese contradicted what his manager said when asked if there was a problem again with his hamstring.

More so, much tougher to watch a team implode as they may be without their closer. Rodriguez has more pressing issues to deal with as Johan Santana (9-6) takes the mound Thursday afternoon and tries to earn the Mets a series win in what will probably be a very hush Mets clubhouse.

A season on the brink and very little to save, no pun intended.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The most publicized event of the regularly scheduled contest between the two contenders for the American League East crown in 2010 was a downbeat and depressing occurrence. Yankee starter AJ Burnett in a moment of frustration, after the second inning, punched the door of the clubhouse and suffered lacerations from the plexiglass covering the day’s lineup.

With two outs in the first, Burnett gave up a single to Evan Longoria, who was plated by a double from Carlos Pena. First inning problems have been common to Burnett this season. He has allowed the opposition to score in the first in 14 of his 19 starts.

The second inning was not an improvement. With two outs, Jason Bartlett was hit by a pitch. The following batter, Reid Brignac, took a 1-0 pitch into the left field stands to bring the Rays lead to 3-0. After that inning, Burnett gave in to frustration.

With the Yankees only trailing by a 3-2 score, Burnett came out for the third. He hit 6he first batter, Longoria, with a pitch. With Pena at the plate, Burnett uncorked a wild pitch. Pena singled to center, and Burnett was removed from the game aft6er only throwing 43 pitches.

To add insult to the injury, Burnett, at first, told trainer Steve Donahue that he cut his hand after falling on stairs. The pitcher explained, “The plexiglass on the door came off, but didn’t shatter.” He then admitted to the truth of what happened and was in manager Joe Girardi’s office after the contest ended with a 10-5 loss to the Rays.

Girardi’s entire delayed post-game press conference was devoted to the incident involving Burnett. Girardi was peppered with queries regarding his feelings toward Bruentt’s act. He put a positive spin on the negative act, “AJ got frustrated and hit his hand on something and cut his hand at the end of the second inning. We’re fortunate the cut isn’t in his fingers. He should make his next start. He’s able to turn things around and turn the page. He has shown me he can pitch in big games [game two in the 2009 ALDS, game two in the 2009 ALCS, and game two in the 2009 World Series].”

Obviously, the manager can not condone the foolish action, which would encourage its repeat, “It’s not something AJ is proud of. It’s not something I want our guys to do. My job is to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Burnett is 33 years old and in his 11^th major league season. Although, anyone can lose his/her temper, the timing was very inauspicious. The Yanks, now two games in front of the Rays, have 73 more games to play in 2010. If Burnett misses time or continues to pitch inconsistently, it can have a disastrous affect upon the team’s chances to repeat as world champs. Burnett has lost six of his last seven decisions. His record is 7-8 and his ERA has inflated to 4.99. The question can now be asked more seriously as to whether or not the organization made a mistake by not obtaining Cliff Lee last week.

And as you read the excerpts, and fortunate to read the book, doubts about the Torre legacy in New York with the Yankees continues. The uncertainty about trust in the clubhouse also continues, though Torre is attributed to making statements in a third person narrative. Even the famous author, Edgar Alan Poe, wrote cryptic and mysterious words in third person.

If Torre should be criticized, rightly so, his comments as he says in a “historic book” should have waited when the days of baseball as a player and manager were over. Even if a $5 million dollar book deal was put on the table, Torre still has contract obligations with the Dodgers.

Not Yankee contract obligations, but every Yankee fan reading and listening is wondering. How much trust does Torre have with his players? Is his legacy of 12 postseason years in the Bronx, four world championships, six American League pennants and 10 division titles tarnished?

That is a matter of opinion and discussion as to the damages Torre leaves, even after collecting the expected record number of receipts from book sales.  What goes on in that clubhouse stays there and at least, that was always the theory. Then Torre recounts to Verducci some of the things that should never leave the sanctuary of the clubhouse.

In the years that Torre managed in the Bronx there was always that trust.  With the media it was a pleasant chat before a game in the dugout, and always receptive to the last member of the media that left his office, even that last season of 2007 that is well documented in the book.

We never saw Torre avoid the issues, the on and off rumors about job security as the new regime of Steinbrenner ownership took control. It was that last season in the Bronx, the contract and motivation issue that tempted the future Hall of Fame manager to write. It’s called “getting it off” your chest,” or to vent, like so many of the great literary scribes of the past.

Except this is Joe Torre. A major part of New York Yankees baseball history had plenty of talking to do last week. Plenty of damage control that still needs to be done because retiring number 6 at the new Yankee Stadium, or having a day in the Bronx in his honor, most likely that day will have to wait or never happen.

From this vantage point there was never any animosity seen in that Yankees clubhouse. It seemed in the good and bad days that respect for the manager was always there. But when that clubhouse door was closed, we never knew what type of motivation factor Torre had, especially that last season of 2007, when his Yankees had a great September and headed to another postseason.

Read the lines and determine for yourself. How Torre cared for his players, wondered what the next move would be with the news superstar, Alex Rodriguez, and now this week the bombshell about A-Rod and steroids that Torre never mentions. Though you read and speculate how contentious an A-Rod became in the Torre clubhouse.

Read the book before passing judgment. It’s the best we can do for Joe Torre because he proudly wore those pinstripes for 12 years and restored pride to the Yankees organization.