NEW YORK -- Andy Pettitte had no interest in a farewell tour or some big pronouncement regarding his (second) retirement. [url=h

NEW YORK -- Andy Pettitte had no interest in a farewell tour or some big pronouncement regarding his (second) retirement. Lane Johnson Jersey . Anything more than a conference call the day after the season would only feel embarrassing. "Because Ive done this before," said a sheepish Pettitte, who briefly stepped away from baseball two years ago. "I feel awkward doing this right now, to tell you the truth." Still, the New York Yankees pitcher was having a hard time telling people he wasnt sure if he would be back next season when he already knew this was it. And he wanted to thank fans for all their support, something he wished he had a chance to do the first time. So after discussing it with several close friends -- including Mariano Rivera over lunch in Toronto -- Pettitte chose to formally announce his decision at a Yankee Stadium news conference Friday. "Im ready to be home again," Pettitte said. "But the biggest thing is, Im just done." In a statement released Friday afternoon, hours before the Yankees began their final homestand, the 41-year-old Pettitte said he has reached the point where he knows he has left everything he has on the field. The left-hander initially retired after the 2010 season, but sat out only one year before returning to the Yankees. This time, he means it. "The time is right. Ive exhausted myself, mentally and physically, and thats exactly how I want to leave this game," he said. In a nice bit of symmetry, Pettitte is scheduled to make two more starts this season -- one at Yankee Stadium and the other in his hometown of Houston. "That is crazy. It really is. Its cool that its going to work out that way," he said. Pettitte is set to pitch against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, when the Yankees will honour Rivera in a pregame ceremony. Baseballs career saves leader also is retiring. Pettitte said one of the things he struggled with in making an announcement was "doing anything to take away from Marianos day" because of how much Rivera has meant to him and his career. Rivera, however, encouraged Pettitte to say goodbye at Yankee Stadium. "He thinks its going to make the day even better," Pettitte said. "I feel like were connected." Rivera has saved 72 of Pettittes 255 career wins, the most for any tandem in major league history. "Its like brothers. We came up in this organization at the same time. Weve been through good times and bad times," Rivera said. "Now we go out together, too." Asked if he had any regrets, Pettitte mentioned human growth hormone. He has admitted using the banned substance years ago, saying he did it in an effort to recover faster from an injury. He said he would never want kids to think he tried to cheat. "I know my heart. Ive never tried to cheat this game. Never tried to cheat anything in my life," Pettitte said. "Thats the truth." Pettitte holds MLB records for post-season wins (19) and starts (44), but it would take quite a surge by the Yankees for him to get an opportunity to add to those marks. They began the day 3 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay and Texas for the second AL wild card, with three other teams in between. A three-time All-Star, Pettitte has helped New York to seven AL pennants and five World Series championships during 15 seasons in pinstripes. He was the MVP of the 2001 AL championship series and is the franchise leader in career strikeouts with 2,009. He joined longtime buddies Rivera, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada to make up the "Core Four" that has led the Yankees to more than a decade and a half of sustained success. "Weve had a great run here," Pettitte said. "I just feel like my time here is done." Jeter, limited by injuries to just 17 games this season, will be the only one left next year. "Ive known about this for a while, but I just havent thought about it," he said. "Youre not going to see that again, I dont think." Pettitte said he probably wouldnt have made a comeback last year if general manager Brian Cashman hadnt called to gauge his interest. The original plan was to return for one season, but a broken ankle that sidelined Pettitte for almost three months changed his mind. He knew coming into 2013 that this would be it, and nothing thats happened since has made him vacillate -- including a back injury that wasnt easy to shake. Pettitte is 10-10 with a 3.93 ERA in 28 starts. After a rough patch, he has pitched particularly well down the stretch with New York desperately chasing a playoff berth. "Vintage Andy Pettitte. Crunch time, hes always there," manager Joe Girardi said. "Its just who Andy Pettitte is. When the stakes get higher, he gets better." Asked for his greatest moment, Pettitte mentioned the first championship he won with the Yankees in 1996 -- which ended an 18-year drought for the franchise. His final start is scheduled for next weekend against Houston, the only team for which he has played besides the Yankees. Pettitte spent 2004-06 with the Astros, teaming with Roger Clemens to help the club make its only World Series appearance in 2005. In retirement, Pettitte said he will spend time with his wife and four children, travel and get very involved at church again. "Its been a long, hard year," he said. "Ive been retired and I know what its going to be like. Its awesome." Tommy McDonald Jersey . According to the Globe and Mail, a decision between the NHL and the Players Association should come within the six months. "I can tell you, (a decision) shouldnt take all that long," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Globe and Mail. Shelton Gibson Jersey . Armstrong was given the rank of "Chevalier" -- or Knight -- in the "Legion dHonneur" in 2005, the last year of his seven consecutive Tour de France victories. http://www.cheapeaglesjerseysonline.com/?tag=derek-barnett-jersey-online .C., won gold in the womens 200-metre backstroke, and Dominique Bouchard of North Bay, Ont.Seattle, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - What a difference two and a half weeks make. The Seattle Seahawks rode their defense to beat the San Francisco 49ers again as the bitter rivals continue heading in opposite directions. Marshawn Lynch ran for 91 yards and a touchdown and the Seahawks stifled the 49ers in the second half, eliminating them from playoff contention with a 17-7 victory on Sunday. Seattle (10-4) allowed 178 yards to San Francisco (7-7) in the first half, but clamped down and limited the 49ers to a meager 67 over the final 30 minutes. The Seahawks outscored the 49ers 14-0 in the second half. Seattle outgained San Francisco 379-164 during its 19-3 victory in Santa Clara on Thanksgiving Nov. 27, then racked up 440 yards while limiting the potent offensive attack of first-place Philadelphia to 139 during a 24-14 win last Sunday. The red-hot Seahawks clash with Arizona in Glendale next Sunday night with first place in the NFC West on the line. Were having a great time right now, Seahawks safety Earl Thomas said. I think we did great overall the whole game. The Seahawks have won four in a row and seven of their last eight, while San Francisco has dropped three consecutive games, including a 24-13 defeat to woeful Oakland last Sunday. Russell Wilson was 12-of-24 for 168 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Jermaine Kearse caught five passes for 78 yards for Seattle, which has beaten San Francisco four straight times at home and recorded its first season sweep in the series since 2007. Colin Kaepernick completed 11-of-19 passes for 141 yards for the 49ers, who lost running backs Frank Gore (concussion) and Carlos Hyde (ankle) along with linebacker Chris Borland (ankle) to injury. Im aware of it and I understand what it means, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said of his team missing the postseason. Well never give in, keep fighting. Sunday was the seventh time in their last eight contests that the 49ers failed to score more than 17 points. The 49ers held a 7-3 advantage when the Seahawks took over at their own 40 midway through the third quarter. Lynch picked up 15 yards on a left end run and Wilson hit Paul Richardson for an 11-yard completion to move the chains on a 3rd-and-10 and move the ball to the San Francisco 13-yard line. Lynchs 4-yard TD plunge three plays later capped the 10-play, 60-yard march and staked Seattle to a 10-7 lead late in the third. The Seahawks defense then forced a three-and-out and found thhe end zone again, although they were aided by a controversial roughing the passer penalty. Brian Westbrook Jersey. Bryan Walters returned Andy Lees 53-yard punt 19 yards to the San Francisco 44. Wilson took a zone-read keeper 19 yards to the 49ers 20, with the penalty coming three snaps later on a 3rd-and-5. Wilson tossed an incomplete pass to Richardson, but Nick Moody hit Wilsons chest with his helmet and was flagged. Wilson then flipped a quick slant to Richardson two plays later for a 10-yard score. The 49ers then took the ensuing 7:50 off the clock, but Bruce Miller was stuffed on a 4th-and-1 at the Seattle 38 and they never threatened offensively again. Seattle opened the scoring late in the first quarter on its second possession. Wilson flipped a 10-yard completion to Doug Baldwin on a 3rd-and-6 to move the ball to the San Francisco 44. The second of two Eric Reid unnecessary roughness penalties put the Seahawks in field goal range and Steven Hauschka split the uprights from 38 yards out. San Francisco answered with a touchdown on its ensuing series. Kaepernick rolled right and floated a 31-yard completion to Garrett Celek down the right sideline. Anquan Boldin hauled in a low throw from Kaepernick on a 3rd-and-11 for a gain of 15 to get the 49ers to the Seattle 40. Gore was stuffed for no gain on a 3rd-and-1 from the Seattle 10 and Harbaugh elected to go for it on fourth down. Gore then scampered off left tackle for a 10-yard score to cap the 11-play, 85-yard trek and give San Francisco a 7-3 cushion early in the second. Wilson lofted a perfectly thrown ball to a well-covered Kearse down the right sideline and Kearse was able to corral it for a gain of 47. Seattle was able to get down to the San Francisco 30, but a Justin Britt holding call took it out of field goal range on first down. Dan Skuta sacked Wilson on 3rd-and-17 for a 2-yard loss to put the ball at the 39 and the Seahawks elected to punt. Seattle drove to the San Francisco 29 on its final touch of the second, but Reid intercepted Wilson on the final play of the half and returned it 73 yards to the Seahawks 24 before time ran out. Game Notes Seattle, which gained 152 rushing yards, had averaged 204.6 yards per game and 5.36 per carry over its last five games coming in ... The Seahawks kept the ball for 28:58 after holding it for at least 35 minutes in their last four ... Seattle was 8-of-14 on third down, while San Francisco was 6-of-15. 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