A. J. Burnett
Encyclopedia
Allan James "A. J." Burnett (born January 3, 1977) is a right-handed Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
for the New York Yankees
. Previously, he played for the Florida Marlins
and the Toronto Blue Jays
. He was drafted by the New York Mets
in the eighth round with the 217th overall pick of 1995 amateur entry draft.
On May 12, 2001, Burnett recorded a no-hitter
in a complete game shutout
against the San Diego Padres
in his second start of the season.
in the 1995 amateur draft. He was traded to the Marlins with Jesús Sánchez
and Robert Stratton for Al Leiter
and Ralph Milliard
before the 1998 season when the Marlins dismantled their 1997 World Series
championship roster. He was first called up to the Marlins from Class AA Portland
in 1999, despite having a record of 6–12 and an ERA of 5.52 with Portland.
where he walked
nine batters. He shut down the Padres in a 3–0 victory, striking out seven. His game-worn cap and a baseball from the game are on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
in Cooperstown, New York
.
In 2002, he held an ERA of 3.30 and finished with a 12–9 record and with 203 strikeouts, career bests that he did not top until 2008. He threw the fastest fastball of all major league starters in 2002, averaging 94.9 miles per hour.
Burnett was limited to four starts in 2003 before missing the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery
and thus did not play during the Marlins' World Series
championship run. He returned in June 2004 and made 19 starts for the Marlins, going 7–6 with an ERA of 3.68. Even during 2004, his first season back from having the surgery, he was able to throw 102 mph. He was shut down for most of September 2004 due to a less serious elbow injury.
The 2005 season was Burnett's last with the Marlins before he became eligible for free agency. As former teammate Carl Pavano
had done in the 2004 off-season, he wanted to test the market rather than take whatever new contract the Marlins gave him. Since he was likely to price himself out of the Marlins' budget, he was sought after by several other teams before the July 31 trade deadline, but he ended up not being traded.
Burnett seemed to be pitching his best games of the season right around the trading deadline. After he took the loss in the Marlins' first game after the All-Star
break, dropping his record to 5–6, he strung together seven consecutive wins. The last of those wins was on August 19, when he pitched eight shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers
. He then lost six consecutive decisions, including four losses in five starts (with an ERA in that span of 5.93) during the Marlins' failed wild-card chase in September, to close out the season with a 12–12 record despite a 3.44 ERA.
On September 27, 2005, Burnett was asked by the Marlins to leave the team. The request came a day after he made comments criticizing the organization: "We played scared. We managed scared. We coached scared," he told reporters following the Marlins' 5–3 loss at Turner Field. "I'm sick of it, man. It's depressing around here. A 3–0 ballgame, I give up one run and leave guys on base, it's like they expect us to mess up. And when we do, they chew us out. There is no positive, nothing around here for anybody."
Marlins manager Jack McKeon
called Burnett into his office and broke the news. Burnett shook his hand, gathered up his belongings, and left. Burnett has since apologized, saying:
Because of his dismissal from the team, Burnett finished the season one inning short of receiving a $50,000 bonus for pitching 210 innings during the season; in addition, he was only two strikeouts shy of having his second 200-strikeout season of his career. After Burnett's contract with the Marlins expired, general manager Larry Beinfest
did not attempt to resign him, which was unlikely to happen anyway, given Florida's financial constraints and the market for Burnett.
He threw the fastest fastball of all major league starters in 2005, averaging 95.6 miles per hour.
Burnett had criticized McKeon for not allowing the team's less experienced players to have much playing time. Although probably not because of Burnett's comments, McKeon decided to let rookie Josh Johnson, a September call up from the Class AA Carolina Mudcats
, make his first major league start of his career on September 30, 2005. Previously, Burnett was scheduled to make his last start of the year at that game.
Burnett declared free agency on October 27, the first day after the end of the 2005 World Series
.
On the morning of December 6, 2005, at the Baseball Winter Meetings
being held in Dallas, Texas
, the Toronto Blue Jays
signed Burnett to a five-year, $55 million deal.
The Toronto Blue Jays took a chance by signing Burnett to a five-year deal despite his being prone to injuries, and the 2006 season began with him going on the disabled list
when a piece of scar tissue—remnants of his Tommy John surgery—broke off in his pitching arm. However, some baseball commentators like RotoWorld and Tim Dierkes still considered the signing worthwhile, since many of the other free agent pitchers that year, like Matt Morris and Paul Byrd
had less impressive career stats, even though they had fewer health risks.
He was activated on April 15, 2006 and made a start against the Chicago White Sox
, giving up four runs in six innings of work. In his next start against the Boston Red Sox
, Burnett was removed from the game after only four innings due to soreness in his right arm. He would end up on the disabled list again, this time for over two months. Burnett finished the 2006 year on a strong note however, finishing the season with a 10–8 record and a 3.98 ERA.
After opening the 2007 season with a very poor outing against the Detroit Tigers
, lasting only 2.0 innings pitched and allowing five hits and six runs (27.00 ERA), Burnett settled down in his next four starts, finishing April 2–1, with an ERA of 4.18.
The Blue Jays experienced a number of injuries early, including losing All-Star closer B. J. Ryan for the season due to an elbow injury, and Opening Day starter Roy Halladay
to appendectomy for four weeks. Burnett was the only pitcher to make all his starts through the first two months of the season. In that period, Burnett posted a 3.98 ERA, throwing 71.0 innings. Unfortunately, Burnett missed 48 games during two stints on the disabled list, finishing the 2007 season 10–8 with an ERA of 3.75.
Burnett's five-year contract with the Blue Jays allowed him to opt out at the end of the 2008 season. The season started off with frustration for Burnett due to a right index finger injury he suffered during the offseason, the nail of the index finger partially torn after it was caught in a closing car door.
Against Chicago White Sox
pitcher Javier Vazquez
in early September at U.S. Cellular Field
, Burnett took a no-hitter into the 6th inning before giving up a hard hit that bounced off Scott Rolen
's glove, but nevertheless got the win. Vazquez himself also pitched well, not giving up a hit until the 4th inning but ultimately took the loss.
On September 24, in his final start of the season (number 34), he pitched against the Yankees, lasting 8 innings, giving up 2 runs (1 earned), 7 hits and striking out 11, to finish off the season with an AL-leading 231 strikeouts. When he was relieved in the beginning of the 9th inning, he received a very long and memorable standing ovation and came out for a curtain call after being congratulated by the players. Despite his outing, he was awarded a no-decision, and the Jays lost 6–2 in extra innings.
Burnett finished the 2008 season with an 18–10 record and established career highs in almost every single pitching category. He set a career high with 18 wins, appeared in 35 games while starting 34 games, pitched 221 1/3 innings, and led the American league with 231 strikeouts. His 34 starts also led the AL, and he threw curveball
s a higher percentage of the time than any other AL starter; 29.2%.
. On April 9, 2009, Burnett made his debut as a Yankee at Camden Yards in Baltimore. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits, one walk, while striking out 6. He picked up his and the Yankees first win of the season. He pushed the Yankees record in the season to 1–2. During his second start Burnett went 6 innings of no-hit baseball before giving up 3 straight hits to tie the game. He ended up going 8 innings and getting the win to go 2–0 on the year. On May 12, Burnett made his return to Toronto
, where he was loudly booed the entire game. He went up against Roy Halladay
, his mentor during his time with the Jays. Halladay allowed 5 hits and pitched a complete game while Burnett allowed 7 hits and 5 runs in 7 innings of work. Burnett fell to 2–1 on the year as the Jays beat the Yankees 5–1. In Burnett's eleventh start against Texas at home, he threw 7 solid innings giving up 3 runs, a walk and striking out 8. During the 5th inning, after Mark Teixeira was beaned for the second time by opposing pitcher Vincente Padilla, Burnett threw over the head of Nelson Cruz. Although the umpire issued no warnings prior to the inning, Burnett was suspended by MLB for six games for the gesture, a punishment later reduced to five games on appeal and after the decision was widely mocked in the press (the opposing pitcher was not suspended at all). In his next start against the Red Sox, Burnett lasted only 2.2 innings giving up 5 hits, 3 runs, walking 5 and striking out 1. When asked about his performance, Burnett made the following statement, "I don't think there's an excuse for anything...it's just the fact that I didn't execute. I felt strong out there and I was out of whack, but who's to say that's because of the extra rest? I appreciate that, but I've still got to go out and do my job." In his next and first start in the Subway Series against the Mets, Burnett reassured the Yankees that they made the right choice in signing him. Burnett cruised through 7 scoreless innings allowing 4 hits, 4 walks and striking out 8. He got the win, making him 2–1 in his last 3 starts.
On June 20 in the 4th inning of the second of three against the Florida Marlins
he pitched an immaculate inning, striking out all three batters in three pitches each. He became the 39th person to achieve this feat (three people have done it twice).
Burnett began a tradition of giving a whipped cream/shaving cream pie in the face
to whoever won a game with a walk-off run batted in. On November 4, 2009, after the final out of the 2009 World Series
, Burnett pied Yankees manager Joe Girardi
. On May 17, 2010, Marcus Thames
hit the first walk-off of the Yankees' 2010 season, earning him a pie, he also received one later that year from Burnett after hitting a walkoff single in the tenth inning on July 4.
On June 27, Burnett pitched a 1-hit shutout against the subway rivals the New York Mets. His no-hitter was broken up in the bottom of the sixth.
On August 7, 2009, Burnett was a part of a memorable game against the Boston Red Sox
. He and former Marlins teammate Josh Beckett
endured a pitching duel that sparked the game to turn into a fifteen inning, five hour and thirty-three minute game. Beckett threw seven shutout innings, Burnett threw seven and two thirds. Burnett surrendered six walks, and left to a very loud ovation, in which he tipped his cap to the crowd. The Yankees eventually won the game in the bottom of the 15th with two outs, when Alex Rodriguez
hit a walk-off two run home run against new Red Sox pitcher, Junichi Tazawa
, who was making his major league debut.
On October 9, 2009, Burnett made his postseason debut in a win against the Minnesota Twins
in Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series, in which he earned a no-decision. On October 17, he pitched a no-decision in Game 2 of an American League Championship Series
win against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
.
Burnett made his first ever World Series
start in Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies
on October 29, and earned his first career post season win by pitching seven innings, recording nine strike-outs and allowing only one run. However, in Game 5, he set a dubious record when he hit Shane Victorino
in the first inning, his fifth hit batter of the 2009 postseason.
Burnett started off the 2010 season
strong gaining a record of 6–2 through the end of May. However, during the time Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland
took a leave of absence for a few weeks, Burnett's numbers plummeted in June where he went winless. Burnett broke his winless streak upon Eiland's return, but lost again to the Tampa Bay Rays
in his first start since the end of the All-Star break
, a game where he injured his hand after punching a door out of frustration. He finished the season with a 10–15 record and an ERA of 5.26, the highest of his career.
Burnett achieved a rather rare feat of striking out four batters in one inning, becoming the first Yankee to accomplish this. This occurred in the 6th inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies
on June 24, 2011.
In the 2011 American League Divisional Series against Detroit, the Yankees, in a 2-1 hole, turned to Burnett to pitch a win-or-go-home Game 4 at Comerica Park
. Burnett came up big, tossing 5 2/3 solid frames to help New York to a 10-1 win, one that shifted the series back to Yankees Stadium for a decisive Game 5. The Yankees ended up falling to the Tigers, 3-2, in that contest.
in 2003.
Recently, Burnett has modified his curveball delivery from over-the-top to more of a three-quarter sidearm delivery, thus adding velocity as well as increasing the sharp movement of the pitch. He uses it often when ahead in the count, but he can also drop it over the plate for a called strike very effectively. He often uses more breaking balls early in the count the second time through the order. However, this can also make Burnett either very hittable or virtually unhittable. Because his pitches are so erratic, Burnett is known for his wild pitches, number of hit batsmen, and high walk total.
In 2010 and 2011, the amount of walks he has given decreased, but his strikeouts have also decreased.
. His off-season home is in Monkton, Maryland
. He has many tattoos, including an Aztec
symbol that can be seen on his right leg in a Blue Jays commercial and an image of Bruce Lee
on his left triceps.
He and his wife Karen have two children, Ashton and A. J. Jr. In December 2010, it was reported on ESPN that Burnett and his wife were divorcing. Burnett denied the report.
He was recently diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome
, a rare but benign genetic defect in liver in which bilirubin conjugation ability may lead to mild jaundice under certain conditions.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Previously, he played for the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
and the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He was drafted by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the eighth round with the 217th overall pick of 1995 amateur entry draft.
On May 12, 2001, Burnett recorded a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
in a complete game shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in his second start of the season.
Early career (1995–1999)
Burnett was an eighth-round pick of the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the 1995 amateur draft. He was traded to the Marlins with Jesús Sánchez
Jesus Sanchez
Jesús Paulino Sánchez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of seven seasons in the majors from until . Most recently, he appeared in three games for the Sacramento River Cats of the Oakland Athletics organization in .-External links:...
and Robert Stratton for Al Leiter
Al Leiter
Alois Terry "Al" Leiter is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. He is now a studio analyst for MLB Network, and a color commentator for the YES Network.-Early career :Leiter attended Central Regional High School....
and Ralph Milliard
Ralph Milliard
Ralph Gregory Milliard is a Dutch baseball player.Milliard represented the Netherlands at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney where he and his team became fifth...
before the 1998 season when the Marlins dismantled their 1997 World Series
1997 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 18, 1997 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, FloridaThe first World Series game in the state of Florida, Game 1 featured a youngster and a veteran facing each other on the mound...
championship roster. He was first called up to the Marlins from Class AA Portland
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
in 1999, despite having a record of 6–12 and an ERA of 5.52 with Portland.
Florida Marlins (1999–2005)
He played parts of 1999 and 2000 with the Marlins; his first full regular season with the Marlins came in 2001, when he went 11–12 with an ERA of 4.05. On May 12, 2001, Burnett pitched an unusual no-hitterNo-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
where he walked
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
nine batters. He shut down the Padres in a 3–0 victory, striking out seven. His game-worn cap and a baseball from the game are on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
in Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, USA. It is located in the Town of Otsego. The population was estimated to be 1,852 at the 2010 census.The Village of Cooperstown is the county seat of Otsego County, New York...
.
In 2002, he held an ERA of 3.30 and finished with a 12–9 record and with 203 strikeouts, career bests that he did not top until 2008. He threw the fastest fastball of all major league starters in 2002, averaging 94.9 miles per hour.
Burnett was limited to four starts in 2003 before missing the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
and thus did not play during the Marlins' World Series
2003 World Series
The 2003 World Series marked the 99th baseball World Series event. The Florida Marlins defeated the New York Yankees in six games, 4–2.-Background:...
championship run. He returned in June 2004 and made 19 starts for the Marlins, going 7–6 with an ERA of 3.68. Even during 2004, his first season back from having the surgery, he was able to throw 102 mph. He was shut down for most of September 2004 due to a less serious elbow injury.
The 2005 season was Burnett's last with the Marlins before he became eligible for free agency. As former teammate Carl Pavano
Carl Pavano
Carl Anthony Pavano is an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher currently with the Minnesota Twins.-Early career:...
had done in the 2004 off-season, he wanted to test the market rather than take whatever new contract the Marlins gave him. Since he was likely to price himself out of the Marlins' budget, he was sought after by several other teams before the July 31 trade deadline, but he ended up not being traded.
Burnett seemed to be pitching his best games of the season right around the trading deadline. After he took the loss in the Marlins' first game after the All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
break, dropping his record to 5–6, he strung together seven consecutive wins. The last of those wins was on August 19, when he pitched eight shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. He then lost six consecutive decisions, including four losses in five starts (with an ERA in that span of 5.93) during the Marlins' failed wild-card chase in September, to close out the season with a 12–12 record despite a 3.44 ERA.
On September 27, 2005, Burnett was asked by the Marlins to leave the team. The request came a day after he made comments criticizing the organization: "We played scared. We managed scared. We coached scared," he told reporters following the Marlins' 5–3 loss at Turner Field. "I'm sick of it, man. It's depressing around here. A 3–0 ballgame, I give up one run and leave guys on base, it's like they expect us to mess up. And when we do, they chew us out. There is no positive, nothing around here for anybody."
Marlins manager Jack McKeon
Jack McKeon
John Aloysius McKeon , nicknamed Trader Jack, is a former Major League Baseball manager. In 2003, he won a World Series with the Florida Marlins...
called Burnett into his office and broke the news. Burnett shook his hand, gathered up his belongings, and left. Burnett has since apologized, saying:
Because of his dismissal from the team, Burnett finished the season one inning short of receiving a $50,000 bonus for pitching 210 innings during the season; in addition, he was only two strikeouts shy of having his second 200-strikeout season of his career. After Burnett's contract with the Marlins expired, general manager Larry Beinfest
Larry Beinfest
Larry Beinfest is the President, Baseball Operations of the Miami Marlins, a Major League Baseball franchise in the National League East.-Early life & playing career:Beinfest was born on March 3, 1964 in Encino, California and raised in Chatsworth, California...
did not attempt to resign him, which was unlikely to happen anyway, given Florida's financial constraints and the market for Burnett.
He threw the fastest fastball of all major league starters in 2005, averaging 95.6 miles per hour.
Burnett had criticized McKeon for not allowing the team's less experienced players to have much playing time. Although probably not because of Burnett's comments, McKeon decided to let rookie Josh Johnson, a September call up from the Class AA Carolina Mudcats
Carolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:...
, make his first major league start of his career on September 30, 2005. Previously, Burnett was scheduled to make his last start of the year at that game.
Burnett declared free agency on October 27, the first day after the end of the 2005 World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
.
Toronto Blue Jays (2006–2008)
Winter meetings
The Baseball Winter Meetings are an annual event, held each December, attended by representatives from all 30 Major League Baseball organizations, more than 160 minor league baseball teams, various league offices, companies associated with baseball and guests from international baseball-playing...
being held in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
signed Burnett to a five-year, $55 million deal.
The Toronto Blue Jays took a chance by signing Burnett to a five-year deal despite his being prone to injuries, and the 2006 season began with him going on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
when a piece of scar tissue—remnants of his Tommy John surgery—broke off in his pitching arm. However, some baseball commentators like RotoWorld and Tim Dierkes still considered the signing worthwhile, since many of the other free agent pitchers that year, like Matt Morris and Paul Byrd
Paul Byrd
Paul Gregory Byrd is an American professional baseball right-handed starting pitcher who is currently a free agent. He pitched in Major League Baseball from 1995 to 2009. He is known as being the "nicest guy in baseball"...
had less impressive career stats, even though they had fewer health risks.
He was activated on April 15, 2006 and made a start against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, giving up four runs in six innings of work. In his next start against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Burnett was removed from the game after only four innings due to soreness in his right arm. He would end up on the disabled list again, this time for over two months. Burnett finished the 2006 year on a strong note however, finishing the season with a 10–8 record and a 3.98 ERA.
After opening the 2007 season with a very poor outing against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, lasting only 2.0 innings pitched and allowing five hits and six runs (27.00 ERA), Burnett settled down in his next four starts, finishing April 2–1, with an ERA of 4.18.
The Blue Jays experienced a number of injuries early, including losing All-Star closer B. J. Ryan for the season due to an elbow injury, and Opening Day starter Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
to appendectomy for four weeks. Burnett was the only pitcher to make all his starts through the first two months of the season. In that period, Burnett posted a 3.98 ERA, throwing 71.0 innings. Unfortunately, Burnett missed 48 games during two stints on the disabled list, finishing the 2007 season 10–8 with an ERA of 3.75.
Burnett's five-year contract with the Blue Jays allowed him to opt out at the end of the 2008 season. The season started off with frustration for Burnett due to a right index finger injury he suffered during the offseason, the nail of the index finger partially torn after it was caught in a closing car door.
Against Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
pitcher Javier Vazquez
Javier Vázquez
Javier Carlos Vázquez is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Previously, he pitched for the Florida Marlins , Atlanta Braves , Chicago White Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees and Montreal Expos . Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico...
in early September at U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field is a baseball ballpark in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, it is the home of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball's American League. The park opened for the 1991 season, after the White Sox had spent 81 years at old Comiskey Park...
, Burnett took a no-hitter into the 6th inning before giving up a hard hit that bounced off Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
's glove, but nevertheless got the win. Vazquez himself also pitched well, not giving up a hit until the 4th inning but ultimately took the loss.
On September 24, in his final start of the season (number 34), he pitched against the Yankees, lasting 8 innings, giving up 2 runs (1 earned), 7 hits and striking out 11, to finish off the season with an AL-leading 231 strikeouts. When he was relieved in the beginning of the 9th inning, he received a very long and memorable standing ovation and came out for a curtain call after being congratulated by the players. Despite his outing, he was awarded a no-decision, and the Jays lost 6–2 in extra innings.
Burnett finished the 2008 season with an 18–10 record and established career highs in almost every single pitching category. He set a career high with 18 wins, appeared in 35 games while starting 34 games, pitched 221 1/3 innings, and led the American league with 231 strikeouts. His 34 starts also led the AL, and he threw curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
s a higher percentage of the time than any other AL starter; 29.2%.
New York Yankees (2009–present)
On December 18, 2008, Burnett signed a five year $82.5 million contract with the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. On April 9, 2009, Burnett made his debut as a Yankee at Camden Yards in Baltimore. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits, one walk, while striking out 6. He picked up his and the Yankees first win of the season. He pushed the Yankees record in the season to 1–2. During his second start Burnett went 6 innings of no-hit baseball before giving up 3 straight hits to tie the game. He ended up going 8 innings and getting the win to go 2–0 on the year. On May 12, Burnett made his return to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, where he was loudly booed the entire game. He went up against Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, his mentor during his time with the Jays. Halladay allowed 5 hits and pitched a complete game while Burnett allowed 7 hits and 5 runs in 7 innings of work. Burnett fell to 2–1 on the year as the Jays beat the Yankees 5–1. In Burnett's eleventh start against Texas at home, he threw 7 solid innings giving up 3 runs, a walk and striking out 8. During the 5th inning, after Mark Teixeira was beaned for the second time by opposing pitcher Vincente Padilla, Burnett threw over the head of Nelson Cruz. Although the umpire issued no warnings prior to the inning, Burnett was suspended by MLB for six games for the gesture, a punishment later reduced to five games on appeal and after the decision was widely mocked in the press (the opposing pitcher was not suspended at all). In his next start against the Red Sox, Burnett lasted only 2.2 innings giving up 5 hits, 3 runs, walking 5 and striking out 1. When asked about his performance, Burnett made the following statement, "I don't think there's an excuse for anything...it's just the fact that I didn't execute. I felt strong out there and I was out of whack, but who's to say that's because of the extra rest? I appreciate that, but I've still got to go out and do my job." In his next and first start in the Subway Series against the Mets, Burnett reassured the Yankees that they made the right choice in signing him. Burnett cruised through 7 scoreless innings allowing 4 hits, 4 walks and striking out 8. He got the win, making him 2–1 in his last 3 starts.
On June 20 in the 4th inning of the second of three against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
he pitched an immaculate inning, striking out all three batters in three pitches each. He became the 39th person to achieve this feat (three people have done it twice).
Burnett began a tradition of giving a whipped cream/shaving cream pie in the face
Pieing
Pieing is the act of throwing a pie at a person or persons. This can be a political action when the target is an authority figure, politician, or celebrity and can be used as a means of protesting against the target's political beliefs, or against perceived arrogance or vanity. Perpetrators...
to whoever won a game with a walk-off run batted in. On November 4, 2009, after the final out of the 2009 World Series
2009 World Series
The 2009 World Series was the 105th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Philadelphia Phillies, champions of the National League and defending World Series champions, and the New York Yankees, champions of the American League...
, Burnett pied Yankees manager Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
. On May 17, 2010, Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....
hit the first walk-off of the Yankees' 2010 season, earning him a pie, he also received one later that year from Burnett after hitting a walkoff single in the tenth inning on July 4.
On June 27, Burnett pitched a 1-hit shutout against the subway rivals the New York Mets. His no-hitter was broken up in the bottom of the sixth.
On August 7, 2009, Burnett was a part of a memorable game against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. He and former Marlins teammate Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett
Joshua Patrick Beckett is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. During his career in the playoffs, he won the 2003 World Series MVP Award with the Florida Marlins, and received the 2007 ALCS MVP award with the Red Sox.-Florida Marlins :A...
endured a pitching duel that sparked the game to turn into a fifteen inning, five hour and thirty-three minute game. Beckett threw seven shutout innings, Burnett threw seven and two thirds. Burnett surrendered six walks, and left to a very loud ovation, in which he tipped his cap to the crowd. The Yankees eventually won the game in the bottom of the 15th with two outs, when Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
hit a walk-off two run home run against new Red Sox pitcher, Junichi Tazawa
Junichi Tazawa
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:After he finished his high school career in Yokohama, Tazawa was not drafted by any of Nippon Professional Baseball's 12 teams, and joined the company team of Nippon Oil in the corporate...
, who was making his major league debut.
On October 9, 2009, Burnett made his postseason debut in a win against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series, in which he earned a no-decision. On October 17, he pitched a no-decision in Game 2 of an American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
win against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
Burnett made his first ever World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
start in Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on October 29, and earned his first career post season win by pitching seven innings, recording nine strike-outs and allowing only one run. However, in Game 5, he set a dubious record when he hit Shane Victorino
Shane Victorino
Shane Patrick Victorino is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed.-Career:...
in the first inning, his fifth hit batter of the 2009 postseason.
Burnett started off the 2010 season
2010 New York Yankees season
The 2010 New York Yankees season was the 110th season for the New York Yankees franchise The Yankees were attempting to defend its status as American League and World Series champions, but lost in the ALCS to the Texas Rangers...
strong gaining a record of 6–2 through the end of May. However, during the time Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland
Dave Eiland
David William Eiland is a former American professional baseball player who was a pitcher for ten Major League Baseball seasons. Eiland played college baseball for the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, and thereafter, played professionally for the New York Yankees, San...
took a leave of absence for a few weeks, Burnett's numbers plummeted in June where he went winless. Burnett broke his winless streak upon Eiland's return, but lost again to the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in his first start since the end of the All-Star break
2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 81st midseason exhibition between the All-Stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
, a game where he injured his hand after punching a door out of frustration. He finished the season with a 10–15 record and an ERA of 5.26, the highest of his career.
Burnett achieved a rather rare feat of striking out four batters in one inning, becoming the first Yankee to accomplish this. This occurred in the 6th inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
on June 24, 2011.
In the 2011 American League Divisional Series against Detroit, the Yankees, in a 2-1 hole, turned to Burnett to pitch a win-or-go-home Game 4 at Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
. Burnett came up big, tossing 5 2/3 solid frames to help New York to a 10-1 win, one that shifted the series back to Yankees Stadium for a decisive Game 5. The Yankees ended up falling to the Tigers, 3-2, in that contest.
Pitching style
Burnett has recently become a three or four-pitch pitcher, while he spent most of his career using two. His four-seam fastball, as of 2011, is usually 91–94 mph. His cutter and sinker are around 88–93 mph. His changeup, which is rarely used, is around 88–91 mph. His trademark pitch, the knucklecurve, is 82–84 mph. His velocity has slightly diminished in recent years after undergoing Tommy John surgeryTommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
in 2003.
Recently, Burnett has modified his curveball delivery from over-the-top to more of a three-quarter sidearm delivery, thus adding velocity as well as increasing the sharp movement of the pitch. He uses it often when ahead in the count, but he can also drop it over the plate for a called strike very effectively. He often uses more breaking balls early in the count the second time through the order. However, this can also make Burnett either very hittable or virtually unhittable. Because his pitches are so erratic, Burnett is known for his wild pitches, number of hit batsmen, and high walk total.
In 2010 and 2011, the amount of walks he has given decreased, but his strikeouts have also decreased.
Accomplishments
- Led American LeagueAmerican LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with 231 strikeoutStrikeoutIn baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (2008) - Led National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in shutoutShutoutIn team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s (five, 2002) - Pitched a 3–0 no-hitterNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(at Qualcomm StadiumQualcomm StadiumQualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area....
, on May 12, 2001). He walked 9 batters in this game. - Matched his own franchise single-game record by striking out 14 batters in just 6 innings in a July 6, 2005, 12-inning 5–4 win against the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, in which the Marlins struck out a team record 22 batters and retired 28 straight batters. - Second all-time on the Florida Marlins' win list with 49 (behind Dontrelle WillisDontrelle WillisDontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...
), first all-time with complete games (14), shutouts (8), and strikeouts (753) - With 38 wins between the two in 2008, Burnett (18–10) and Roy Halladay (20–11) set a new franchise record for most wins in a season by a duo, beating out the 37 wins between Jack MorrisJack MorrisJohn Scott "Jack" Morris is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played in 18 big league seasons between 1977 and 1994, mainly for the Detroit Tigers, and won 254 games throughout his career...
and Juan Guzmán in the 1992 season. - First Yankee in team history to have 4 consecutive strikeouts in one inning (at Yankee Stadium on June 24, 2011)
- First Yankee pitcher to win a World Series game at the new Yankee Stadium (Game #2 versus the Philadelphia Phillies on 10/29/09).
Personal life
Burnett graduated from Central Arkansas Christian SchoolsCentral Arkansas Christian Schools
Central Arkansas Christian Schools is a group of three private schools based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. CAC was established in 1971 at Sylvan Hills Church of Christ in Sherwood and includes Central Arkansas Christian High School and two elementary schools: Pleasant Valley and Sylvan...
. His off-season home is in Monkton, Maryland
Monkton, Maryland
Monkton is an unincorporated community in northern Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It has a population of about 4,856 people. It is in area, with approximately...
. He has many tattoos, including an Aztec
Aztec
The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology.Aztec is the...
symbol that can be seen on his right leg in a Blue Jays commercial and an image of Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
on his left triceps.
He and his wife Karen have two children, Ashton and A. J. Jr. In December 2010, it was reported on ESPN that Burnett and his wife were divorcing. Burnett denied the report.
He was recently diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome
Gilbert's syndrome
Gilbert's syndrome , often shortened to GS, also called Gilbert-Meulengracht syndrome, is the most common hereditary cause of increased bilirubin and is found in up to 5% of the population...
, a rare but benign genetic defect in liver in which bilirubin conjugation ability may lead to mild jaundice under certain conditions.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- Major League Baseball pitchers who have struck out three batters on nine pitches