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Found August 21, 2008 on Hot Stove New York: Yardbarker Blogger Network
Pettitte No Longer Wants To Pitch To I-Rod
TEAMS: New York Yankees
PLAYERS: Andy Pettitte,  Jose Molina,  Ivan Rodriguez,  Mike Mussina
In what appears to have been a quiet story but definitely an interesting one, Andy Pettitte has asked that Jose Molina become his personal catcher. According to the New York Journal News, Pettitte asked to no longer throw to catcher Ivan Rodriquez after his miserable outing on July 31st against the Anaheim Angels. On that night, Pettitte just never looked comfortable in going 5 1/3 innings, giving up 11 hits, and 9 earned runs. Furthermore, Pettitte threw an uncharacteristic 48 balls and only 62 strikes in his 110 pitch outing. This is not to take anything away from what might be the best team in baseball in the Angels, but chemistry can not be discounted in baseball. If a pitcher does not feel comfortable throwing to a particular catcher, has to continuously shake him off, this will result in no confidence with disaster on the horizon. Pettitte, is a pitcher who is always focused and locked in on the mound but frequently fell behind Angel batters on that night. Consequently, Pettitte was forced into hitters counts and simply got pounded by a very good hitting team. Vying for a playoff spot and with time running out, the last thing that the Yankees need is for one of their aces and big time pitchers to not feel uncomfortable when he takes the mound. So for Yankee fan's sake, lets hope they continue to use Molina for any Yankee pitcher in addition to Mike Mussina and Pettitte who request his services behind the plate.
Original Story: http://www.hotstovenewyork.com/2008/0... Verified_ybn

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Comments (14)

  • pjchase said August 22, 2008

    That's been the complaint about Rodriguez during his entire career. He calls a horrible game and pitchers notice that.

  • tboy65 said August 24, 2008

    Is I Rod still playing ?

  • will21 said August 25, 2008

    I think if Pettitte wants Molina he should get Molina ! I have plenty of shoes you can eat!

  • Yanks4Life said August 25, 2008

    I hope the Yanks will make it in so and everyone can be suprised, but as a fan I know we arent going to win the World Series!!!

  • mantle42 said August 25, 2008

    I thought I Rod was there as a backup anyway. Molina was /is doing just fine.

  • angelcadiz said August 25, 2008

    I Rodriguez is too much of a catcher to get insulted when any pitcher fail to do their job. No one
    outthere better than him. Pitchers ' just do your job ".
    ac

  • JacquesPlantel said August 25, 2008

    Pudge is a gamer................Yanks are done!!!!!!!!

    • will21 replied August 26, 2008

      IT IS NOT OVER TILL IT IS OVER! GO YANKS!!!!!!!!

  • erikbola said August 25, 2008

    molina was breaking down in his limited time of being the starter thats y they got irod. plus molina wasnt hitting a lick as opposed to irod who was hitting near three hundred which is wat the yankees were in need of since they cant hit in the clutch for their lives

  • Tom808 said August 25, 2008

    Give Andy his catcher in Molina. And show I-rod the door after this year, last thing we need is another
    agin,in decline, overpaid player.

  • jazzyjim53 said August 25, 2008

    This is so ridiculous...now it I-Rod fault that Mr Pettitte couldn't throw strikes. The pitcher has the option to shake off any call that the catcher signals. Lets not forget I-Rod is only calling for pitches that the Pitching coach sends him. Mr Pettite bring your COJONES next time and pitch your game and blame someone else for lack of efficiency.

  • burn59 said August 26, 2008

    Well i can remember that game, it started right from the beginning, The camera showed both Pudge and Petite talking and Petite didn't look happy actually turning his back on Pudge. In defense of Pudge he hadn't caught him before so he was learning. Again from the first inning you can see there was a problem. If Petite wants Molina fine but i wouldn't blame Pudge, but being a professional pitcher he should be able to pitch to anyone.

  • julianna said August 27, 2008

    Yes, he should be able to pitch to anyone. The pitcher makes the final decision regarding pitch selection. But I'm not surprised at his reaction; I've noticed Pettitte looking annoyed at plays not made behind him in the past. Doesn't get much print though; he's a fan favorite. Writers and fans even wanted to give him a break on the steriod issue b/c he apologized. So there you have it. He should just pitch and be quiet.

  • habibhabib said September 06, 2008

    I Rod calls too many fastballs. The Yanks arent the first team to complain about it. He does it 100% of the time when runners reach base. Thats why pettitt has been rocked
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