Sherman: IF PETTITTE SIGNS ELSEWHERE, IN BRONX HE’LL BE A PHONY FOREVER (RR)

Why just the Bronx?

I tell you this as a way of saying no matter what CC Sabathia or Mark Teixeira get this offseason, I will again have no qualms. But I will if Andy Pettitte takes money from any team not named the New York Yankees.

If Pettitte signs elsewhere, regardless of the dollar figure, he should be viewed as a world-class phony forever around here. There should be no more pardons. He should receive no invites to future Old-Timers Games, hear no cheers when the dynastic teams reassemble.

In his moment of need, when it was revealed Pettitte was both a liar and cheater, the Yankees stood by him last season. At that time, Pettitte was only too happy to say the Yankees were the only team he ever wanted to play for any more. He did not say he only wanted to play for the Yankees unless they offer him a paycut.The Yanks have indeed offered that cut. Pettitte made $16 million last year and, according to sources, he was offered $10 million to return in 2009. So far, Pettitte has rejected that bid while his camp has done nothing to dispel reports linking him to Joe Torre and the Dodgers.