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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 12, 2003)
4 m wammmm MR 4B Friday, December 12, 2003 THK Pettitte agrees to 3-year contract with Astros Pitcher gives up $7.5 million to play in front of hometown fans and family By Michael A, Lutz THE ASSOCIATED PRESS “When I never re^ form,” Pen left there after (World Series) Game 6, r envisioned myself in a different uni te said. “I thought that they would try HOUSTON — Andy Pettitte followed his heart back home to Houston, making a “gut-wrenching” decision Thursday to leave the New York Yankees and accept a $31.5 million, three-year contract with the Astros. After winning four World Series championships and six AL pennants in New York, Pettitte hopes his winning ways will help lead Houston to its first-ever title. And he’d like an old friend to join him — Pettitte is trying to get Roger Clemens to push back retirement and pitch for the Astros next season. ‘‘I left him this morning. He’s still working out with me. We’ll see what happens,” Pettitte said. ”1 know the media’s already hit him up on that, and if I feel there’s a chance. I’ll hit him up on it, too.” To fill Pettitte's void, the Yankees turned their attention to Kevin Brown. The Yankees and Dodgers agreed to the outline of a trade that would send Brown to the Yankees for right-hander Jeff'Weaver, two minor leaguers and $3 million, two baseball officials said on condition of anonymity. Brown, who turns 39 in March, has the right to block a trade and has not yet been asked about it, agent Scott Boras said. All players must pass physicals, and the Yankees want to review Brown’s contract before signing off on the swap, the officials said. “We hate to lose Andy Pettitte,” Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. “We know the fans may be disappointed, but if you’re counting us out next year, don’t bet the house.” With the Astros, Pettitte forms a powerful front end of a rotation that already included Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller. If the Astros make it to the postseason, Houston’s pitching would be tough to handle. Still, the Astros are counting on Octavio Dotel to replace closer Billy Wagner, traded to Philadelphia to save money. “All I’ve known in New York was winning.” Pettitte said. “I wouldn’t have come here if I would n’t have felt I had a chance to win.” Sounding wistful at times, the 31-year-old left hander said the Yankees’ failure to pursue him aggressively allowed him to turn his attention to Houston, which wound up signing him for $7.5 mil lion less than New York offered. New Yc month, was to make a sious push to sign me then.” K S initial proposal, made just before Pettitte cot f start negotiations for all teams last or $30 million over three years, includ mg some dJcrrals. The Yankees didn’t make anoth er offer untj late Wednesday night. Kandy jendricks, Pettitte’s agent, told the Yankees djing the day that Pettitte was on the verge of gojg to Houston and suggested that if New York wami to catch his attention, the Yankees should offeit $52 million, four-year contract. Even with that, Hendricks couldn’t guarantee Pettitte would accet. "At thatkvel, we weren’t comfortable,” Yankees general m;tiger Brian Cashman said. New Yol countered with a $26 million, two- year offer jith a third season at $13 million that would becme guaranteed if Pettitte wasn’t on the disabled li.sior much of 2(X)5. By then j was too late. “Over ti* last two weeks I felt my heart was really tuggiL me to come back here, Pettitte said. Pettitte. [ho helped the Yankees win four World Series titles nd six AL pennants, was 21 -8 last sea son with a 4)8 ERA, improving his career record to 149-78. Pettitte <111 get $5.5 million next season, $8.5 million in 2^)5 and $17.5 million in 2006 — with $7.5 millionn the final season deferred until July 1, 2008, accorjng to contract details obtained by The Associated jess. In additii, the lack of a state income tax in Texas and nt having a residence in New York will add to an aijual savings of about $1 million. Pettitte libs in nearby Deer Park. His wife want ed him to sig with the Astros, but his father lobbied for the Yankfes. “I didn’mink this would be a reality,” Pettitte said. “But tli fans of Houston in the past six weeks have just re;<y embraced me. I’m a Houstonian and they’ve real (let me know that.” He neverjonsidered the offer by the Red Sox. “I’m a Yikee. That’s all 1 know is Yankees,” he said. “I justjouldn’t do that, to tell you the truth. I couldn’t do tat to my teammates.” With hisleparture, only Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Bene Williams and Jorge Posada remain from the grip that led the Yankees to titles. “It’s gojg to be a little strange,” Yankees availat invest i; safety howev< that so reach ir Amerii ernmer It si Fed tigate i activit; activiti of the The Streng Requir was pa Amerii were r: to prev Cor New Houston Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte, shown here os a New York Yankee in the 2003 World Series,sigw a thr ee-year, $31.5 million contract Thursday to play for the Astros. ways g Acc taining ment t suspici do is s Depart tutes t< is a “h reliever Steve Karsay said. “It’s going to be sad to see him go." Clemens sounded surprised by the Yankees’ bargaining. “This is their guy,” he told Sporting News Radio. “I think if they would have come and hit him hard early, no other team would have been able to sway him away.” Clemens, who has 310 wins, lives in Hoff and also is represented by Randy and Als Hendricks, flic 41 \car-okl right-hander didn't whether he’d consider joining the Astros. “We’ve let his representatives know if Rop changes his mind about retiring, we’d be inter®! in talking to him,” general manager Hunsicker said. A Adventist CatfioCi ‘EpiscopaC Ofpn-tDenominationaC (Pentecostal Seventh Day Adventist 1218 Ettle St., Bryan (corner of Coulter) 775-4362 Pastor Bill Davis English - 11:30 am Sabbath School - 10:00 am www.bryansdachurch.com AssemBCy of god Bethel Temple Assembly of God 2608 Villa Maria, Bryan 776-4835 Sunday Worship 10:15 Sunday School 9:00 www.betheltemplebcs.com ‘Baptist Parkway Baptist Church 1501 Southwest Pkwy (979) 693-4701 Sunday Worship 8:15 10:45 & 6PM Sunday School 9:30 AM Wednesday: Meal 5:30PM College Bible Study Wed. 6:30PM www.pbccs.org i St. May s Catholic Center 603 Church Avenue iiNorthgate (979)846-5' www.aqqiecathcjc.org Pastoral Teai Rev. Michael J. SisPastor Rev. Keith Koehl, Asso©te Pastor - Campus Ministrs - Deacon Bill Scott, DeacoiDavid Reed, Martha Tonn, Julia Mtekaitis Dawn Rouen, Roefearza Church . in the Daily Masse Mon.-Fri.: 5:30 p.m. in la Tues.&Thurs.: 12:05 pi. All Faith§ Chaf I Weekend Mas; Sat: 2:00 p.m. (Ko a 5:30 p.m. (English), 7:00 Sun.: 9:00 a.m., 11:C 5:30 p.m. and 7:0C Confession: Wed. 8:30-9:30 p.m., Sat. 4 0-5:15 p.m. or by appointmet. P< s an), (Spanish) a.m., >.m. St. Thomas Episcopal 906 George Bush Dr. • College Station, TX 696-1726 Services - 800 (Rite 1), 9:00(Family Service Rite II) and 11:15 (Rite ll-for late sleeping Ags) 7:30 p.m. Evensong Next door to Canterbury House, the Episopal Student Center Cornerstone Churcli LutHeran CfiristiaT Sunday 8:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Aggie Lutherans P 1 LU LUTHERAN CHURCH COLLEGE STATION. TEXAS Comer of Harvey Mitchell Pkwy and Rio Grande 693-4403 » www.peacelutheranweb.com Calvary Chapel AGGIELAND Feeling a little overwhelmed? God can help! We are a small church that teaches God's Word verse by verse, and places a high value on worship. We care about you - you're not just another student. CASUAL ATMOSPHERE Come join us! Currently meeting at: Putt-Putt Golf & Games 1705 Valley View Dr., C.5. Just across Texas Ave. from the C.S. Police Station We’re studying the Book of Acts Services at 10:30 a.m. Sunday Pastor Jeff Hughes ‘95 (979)324-3972 www.aggieland.ee Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry - Heb. 4:12 • On Campus College Bible Study held rntfe * Sunday Service at 3:00pm Meets at College Station ConferenceCenis (George Bush Drive) 485-8744 (Pentecostal Victory United Pentecostal Churcli Sunday 2:00 p.m. Wednesday Ml pJ 11 1808 - H Brothers (behind the C.S. Wal-Mart) 764-4180 _ States, southe ern As this w; thousa numbe war be agains AIDS. As AIDS where abatin agains ing to has a ‘ ic evei Ameri leader with tl comm ease. r the foi ness a affeett Pre (Methodist Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church College & Career Class You are invited to a Bible Study especially for students. Sunday mornings at 9:45 Wednesday night supper at 5:30, followed by Bible Study at 6:30 1228 W. Villa Maria 779-2297 For more information contact - Bill Van Winkle: 774-3059 httpy/wvyw.fellowshipfwb.org First Christian Church 900 South Ennis,Bryan 823-5451 Sunday School 930 a.m. Morning Worship 1):45 a.m. Robert D. Chandler,^linister A&M United Methodist 417 University Dr. (in Northgate) • 846-8731 Sunday Worship: 8:30, 9:45,10:50 College Sunday School: 9:30, 10:45 Thursday Nights: 5:30 - University Choir 6:30 - FREE Supper, 7:00 - College Bible Study www.am-umc.org/college community CHURCH College Station Korean Presbyterian Churcli 220 Rock Prarie Rd., CS 696-0403 a 99 lack Sunday Worship - liOOp.n 1 ' Church of Grist To advertise on this page call The Battalion today! 845-2696 A&M Church o Christ 1901 Harvey Mitcltll Pkwy. (979)693-04)0 Sunday Assemjlies: 8 a.m., 10:30 College Bible Classp:30 a.m. Sunday Night: 5:6 p.m. Mid-Week 6:45b.m. Aggies for Ch Call for on-campus www.aggiesforchr st k-up info t.org First United Methodist Church Bryan Worship Services: 8:40 am and 10:55 am College Class at 10:00 am Rev. Matt Idem, Pastor Qp 28 ,h Street, 1 block east of Texas Avenue in Bryan 779-1324 www.fumcbryan.org Now Meeting Across from Campus in Oakwood Interm. School George Bush & Holik St behind the CS Conference Ctr. Follow the signsl every SUNDAY Prayer Service @10 a.m. worship @10:30 a.m. small groups meet throughout the week Covenant Presbyterian Oiufcl 220 Rock Prairie Road (979) 694-7700 Rev. Sam W. Steele - Pastor Sunday Service: 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Students Welcome www.covenantpresbyterian.org r www.COmClIURGl.com 260-1163 To advertise on this page call The Battalion today! 845-2696 Let ungra- ed. Af 11 is: the lei A ggie triend: the fir ticket later i their p ities a How know mean hOtg Aggie mess, my sc walk and f denet see ( some n’t ge wast v\ have siden order