Andy Pettitte only had two strikeouts in the New York Yankees' 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night, but they were two of the more important ones of his career as the veteran pitcher surpassed Whitey Ford to become the Yankees' franchise leader with his 1,958th strikeout. Ford had held the honor since September 9, 1963. Pettitte.
Andy Pettitte becomes Yankees’ all-time strikeout leader
Andy Pettitte passed Whitey Ford’s mark of 1,957 strikeouts to become the franchise leader in the famous pinstripes.
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Despite being a bit rattled by the Twins early on, Pettitte struck out Clete Thomas in the first to tie the record and later struck out Justin Morneau in the fifth inning to set the new record.
The Yankees drafted Pettitte in the 22nd round of the 1990 draft and he has spent 15 of his 18 seasons in New York. Pettitte's career mark of 2,384 strikeouts leads all active pitchers. Fellow southpaw CC Sabathia is in second with 2,311 strikeouts.
Ford also holds the all-time Yankees’ record for wins with 236. It’ll be difficult for the 41-year-old Pettitte to catch him, however, as the new strikeout leader is currently 23 wins behind earning another record.
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