A.J. Burnett Reunites with the City That Revitalized His Career
A.J. Burnett returned to PNC Park to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He flew in that morning with his sons, A.J. and Ashton, for the appearance.
A warm welcome in Pittsburgh
Visits with the Pirates have become a regular occurrence for Burnett. He spent time with the club during spring training and has kept close ties with the team.
Walking into the stadium stirred strong emotion for him. He received a steady stream of greetings from players and fans, and a roaring ovation when introduced.
The ceremonial pitch
Burnett joked about pitching strategy before the ceremony, debating whether to roll the ball to avoid a bounce. He ultimately delivered a skipped toss to former teammate Michael McKenry.
It has been more than a decade since he last took the mound in a game at PNC Park. The crowd reaction proved his bond with the fanbase remains intact.
How Pittsburgh revitalized his career
Acquired from the New York Yankees before the 2012 season, Burnett quickly became a fan favorite. He went 16-10 with a 3.51 ERA that first year.
His work helped send the Pirates to their first playoff berth in roughly two decades in 2013. After a 2014 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, he returned for one final year in Pittsburgh.
During that final season he earned his first All-Star selection and posted a career-best 3.18 ERA. Manager Don Kelly highlighted what Burnett meant to the 2013 and 2015 teams.
Burnett says the city gave him new life. He credits Pittsburgh’s early acceptance for helping revive his career.
City Connect uniforms and the Batman nickname
Burnett narrated and appeared in the Pirates’ video unveiling the new City Connect uniforms. The club debuted those uniforms against the Rays the same night he threw the first pitch.
Fans quickly drew comparisons between the new look and Burnett’s “Batman” persona. He praised the design and joked he would have worn the uniform every five days.
He also noted design details he liked, including the black-and-gold palette and a small red accent.
Ongoing ties
Burnett reunites frequently with Pittsburgh, a city he says revitalized his career and welcomed him from day one. The relationship remains strong.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow his visits and the Pirates’ celebrations tied to former players. Fans can expect more appearances from Burnett in the future.
