When New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sought to sign prized free-agent Gerrit Cole he brought along Andy Pettitte to do the talking… and it worked!
When newly acquired New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was only five years old, Andy Pettitte emerged as the first of the Core Four group of players that would go on to win four out of six World Series titles in eight years. It’s no surprise that Cole took to adopting Andy as his favorite player after that.
In following Cole throughout his career, he shares many attributes with Pettitte. Their presence on the mound is equally unnerving. Andy would stare over his glove, seemingly snarling at his opponent. While Cole’s cold presence leaves hitter’s feeling like they’re just another name to cross off his list.
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So when, arguably, the best pitcher in baseball over the last two seasons became available in free agency this offseason, it was no surprise that Brian Cashman wanted to move heaven and earth for Cole.
The money was there, thanks to Hal Steinbrenner, but the pride and prestige? Well, thankfully, Cash had that too in the form of Cole’s favorite pitcher.
So, when Cashman traveled to California to court the 29-year-old righty, he brought along Andy Pettitte with him. And instead of a scripted sales pitch, Cashman simply left the room and let Andy do the talking.
So, what did Pettitte say to Cole that made a marriage with the Yankees a reality?
According to Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Pettitte said, “If you want to win championships now, I feel like this is the spot for you.”
From any other pitcher in baseball, you take that with a grain of salt. From Andy Pettitte, however, owner of FIVE championship rings in EIGHT tries? Those words carry weight. Fortunately for the New York Yankees, it was precisely what they needed to get the final piece to the puzzle.
In acquiring Gerrit Cole, the Yankees are now officially a “fully operational Death Star” again. For the first time in over a decade, they’re hands down the team to beat. Anything but a championship would officially be a disappointment now, and that’s when New York is at its absolute best.