New York Yankees and Andy Pettitte: reunited and it feels so good...

It has never been a secret that Andy Pettitte was always one of my three favorite Yankees - when I was hanging posters on my college dorm room walls, cut outs of his photo from the newspaper were smack dab in the middle.

So I was obviously upset when he retired a little more than a year ago...but at the same time, it seemed like a natural end to what had been a pretty great career, though marred a bit by his admission of using performance-enhancing drugs. He got that last World Series ring in 2009 with the rest of the core four and while he was still a reliable pitcher, he was getting older and had lost some of his edge, so while I would miss him, it was a fitting time for him to leave. I had seen him pitch in person. I was okay with his decision.

Now he's re-signed with the Yanks. A part of me jumped for joy at the news - that part was the human person on the outside. I also squealed with glee. I am a fan girl. I can't help it. But part of me thinks - why? I love love love Pettitte but after bowing out gracefully and on a somewhat high note, why come back for more? Why fade out in a whimper after, for all intents and purposes, you already went out with a bang? And of course it brings me back to my ever present pet peeve with my favorite team - why give that spot to a fading, aging superstar when you could have given an up-and-comer with potential a chance to prove his worth, a chance to shine, and a chance to become a possible future core member of the team, much as Pettitte was 15 years ago?

So, once again, the sports world is tearing me apart a bit inside. But let me be the first to say that while I have mixed feelings about Andy re-signing with the Yanks, the possibility of getting to see him pitch in person again makes me really excited about going to a Yankee game this upcoming season.

Fan girl, out.