A Painful Decision for Pettitte At 40, Andy Pettitte has done virtually everything he set out to do as a major league pitcher, compiling 245 career victories, winning 20 games twice and earning five World Series rings. But one thing remained for him: representing the United States in international competition. That is why it hurt so much to pass on playing for Team USA this year in the World Baseball Classic. Pettitte said Yankees Manager Joe Girardi and General Manager Brian Cashman discouraged him from taking part, and he reluctantly went along with them. "They didn't want me to play," Pettitte said Wednesday. They weren't crazy about it, and it's understandable. They were supportive - if you decide to do this, obviously we're going to support you - but they were hoping it was something I wouldn't do. Pettitte said he thought this was the perfect time to do it, feeling he could handle the in-game pressure and his emotions better than he could 10 years ago. "For me, it was a big deal," Pettitte said. I've done a lot of things in this game. I've never had a chance to play for my country. I don't know if that sounds corny or whatever, but it was a big deal to me. Ultimately, the risk of getting hurt swayed him to accept Girardi's and Cashman's thinking. The biggest thing was, if something did happen, I've got to listen to you guys say all year long, 'Why did you pitch in the WBC?' Pettitte said jokingly to reporters. He added, "I want to be there for the organization and the team this year. If something goes wrong, I want it to go wrong when I play for this club.