Talk radio actually made a difference for a baseball team. The discussion of a potential roster acquisition -- a random, ludicrous suggestion from one person to another on sports-talk radio -- actually made a difference in the real world. This is 90210: The Musical Miniseries Event winning a dozen Emmys and President Stephen Baldwin’s inaugural address rolled into one. This is the most surprising thing in the history of history.
Andy Pettitte Deal: Talk Radio Helps Bring Him Out Of Retirement
Brian Cashman was on ESPN New York 1050 with Michael Kay. At some point, the conversation turned to Andy Pettitte. Cashman didn't recoil in horror or say something like, "I'm pretty sure he's fat and content, Michael." He told Kay that he would always be open to a Pettitte comeback. And according to ESPN New York, Pettitte heard this:
“Andy called me at sometime in late December,” Cashman said. “He said, ‘I heard about your interview with Michael Kay and it really got my juices flowing. He said, ‘Hey, I heard about your interview on Michael and it got me thinking about it. I ‘d like to work out and see where it takes me.”
From there, Pettitte started working out and training for a possible comeback. This was in the days before Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda, though, so there was more of a chance that Pettitte could make a difference. After the pair of deals, though, the Yankees told Pettitte that there was no more room in the budget for a starting pitcher.
Pettitte came to camp as a special instructor, but he was a mole with a secret agenda.
The following Tuesday morning, Cashman organized a secret 7:30 a.m. bullpen session, attended by Cashman, Girardi, pitching coach Larry Rothschild and Stick Michael.Secret bullpen sessions. Subterfuge. Cloak and dagger. Possibly a cutter or two. And suddenly Andy Pettitte is back with the Yankees. Of all the dramatic things.
And it all started with some sports-talk radio. The next time you hear a caller suggest a Mark Teixeira-for-Prince Fielder trade on the air, don’t be so catty. People are listening. Important people.
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