When the Dynasty Yankees are in the room, magic tends to follow. You can’t explain it. You just have to accept it.
Old-Timers’ Day could not have gone better for the 2025 Yankees and the 2000 Yankees who came before them (except for Mariano Rivera, 1,000 apologies). The Subway Series champions, from Jose Vizcaino to Joe Torre, reunited and reconnected. The modern Yankees, hanging perilously close to the edge of the playoff race, took a 4-2 lead into the eighth inning against their new chief rival, the Houston Astros.
Of course, it took one more burst of magic to secure the victory, after Camilo Doval scuffled and David Bednar walked in the tying run before escaping with a two-strikeout flourish.
That’s where Andy Pettitte came in, making a cameo in the broadcast booth during what otherwise would’ve been a downtrodden inning. Let’s face it. It’s tough to put on a brave face (brave voice?) behind the mic after the Yankees just ostensibly choked away another late lead and set their tormentors up to take it to them once again.
But Pettitte took on the assignment ably and, with two outs and a 3-2 count to Trent Grisham, said simply, “We need a run here.”
Before the message was even out of Pettitte’s mouth, Grisham had delivered, following a quick-pitch that he’d taken exception to with another clutch missile.
Andy Pettitte in the WFAN booth with @davesims_ and Suzyn Waldman:
“We need a run here.”
Next pitch — Grisham. Go-ahead bomb. 💣
Yankees win 5-4.
Legend still calls ’em. 🔮⚾️ pic.twitter.com/vKJmBOVMGKhttps://twitter.com/WFAN660/status/1954311708123496823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Yankees legend Andy Pettitte predicted Trent Grisham’s game-winning home run
The Big Sleep would’ve fit in pretty nicely on those ’90s Yankees teams, given his propensity for clutchness. He would’ve probably fit in pretty nicely on the 2024 Yankees team in Alex Verdugo’s place, too, but that’s neither here nor there.
It’s been an impactful year for Pettitte, who’s spent more time than usual around the Yankees’ pitching staff, bonding with his pick-off partner in crime Max Fried from spring training through the season. He’s also seen his Hall of Fame stock rise, thanks in large part to CC Sabathia’s first-ballot election opening some hearts and minds.
Pettitte’s October greatness will certainly factor into future votes as his momentum grows. You can count “announcing clairvoyance” among his clutch traits, too, after Saturday’s much-needed exhale.
