A.J. Burnett News: Pro Sports Daily

Facing live hitters again, NY Yankees starter A.J. Burnett labors in victory over Houston Astros

Comment

March 17

Newark Star-Ledger

"After throwing 66 pitches and securing only seven Houston outs, A.J. Burnett did not want to leave. He hadn't faced live batters in 10 days. His arm felt strong. Yet Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland still trotted from the dugout to fetch him. Burnett yielded. "I've got to finish some innings here," Burnett said midway through an eventual 3-1 victory over the Astros. "I'm tired of seeing Dave coming out there." So far this spring, Burnett has thrown 3 2/3 frames. His brief output on the mound is partly due to the weather. It's partly due to experimentation with a changeup, a third pitch he hopes will compliment his four-seam fastball and hammer curve. And on Tuesday night, it was partly ..."

Together, A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada work late shift for NY Yankees

Comment

March 12

Newark Star-Ledger

"When word came down around 8:40 p.m. that rain had canceled the Yankees' game against the Braves on Thursday night, the clubhouse emptied quickly. But A.J. Burnett, scheduled to team up with Jorge Posada, stayed behind to get his work in. With rain pelting George M. Steinbrenner Field, and the stadium nearly deserted, Burnett threw inning game in the batting cages under the stands. His catcher? Posada, who stayed behind, and didn't leave until the session was finished. "The fact that Georgie stayed this late meant a lot anyway," said Burnett, who last season had communication issues with Posada. "Showed you how much he wants to work too, with me. So that meant a lot.""

A.J. tests his 'change' of plans

Comment

March 7

New York Post

"Limited to fastball and change-ups, it was hard to read anything into A.J. Burnett's initial spring outing yesterday. Once the Blue Jays knew they didn't have to deal with Burnett's filthy curve ball, they attacked with impunity. And since Jorge Posada didn't have a third pitch to call for, it was difficult to see if the catcher and pitcher, who had trouble communicating last year, worked well together. "I got my work in, and every time I wanted to throw a hook I threw a change-up," said Burnett, who gave up two runs and five hits in 12/3 innings in the Yankees' 9-1 loss in front of George Steinbrenner at George M. Steinbrenner Field. "I am not worried about it." If Joe Girardi wasn't ..."

A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada take first step in putting controversy behind them

Comment

March 7

New York Daily News

"With A.J. Burnett making his first start of spring training Saturday, it was only fitting that Jose Molina was in the lineup at catcher. Burnett, though, was facing his former personal backstop, who signed with Toronto on Feb. 19. It was Jorge Posada calling pitches for the Yanks' No. 2 starter in a 9-1 loss to the Blue Jays, the first on-field step in putting the controversy that engulfed their working relationship late last season completely behind them. Burnett gave up two runs on five hits in 1-2/3 innings, allowing six of the 11 batters he faced to reach base safely, but this outing wasn't as much about results as it was about rebuilding chemistry with Posada - and incorporating the ..."

Yankees' Burnett wants to add changeup

Comment

March 2

The Journal News

"Yankees starter A.J. Burnett built his career on a powerful fastball and a biting curveball, but when he watched CC Sabathia fool hitters with a changeup last season, Burnett thought it might be time to make a change of his own. "Watching CC throw last year, being a power guy and how much he uses it, just kind of opened my eyes a little bit," Burnett said. "Why not work on something?" Burnett spent the winter working on his own changeup, a pitch he's had but rarely used throughout his career. On Monday, he threw a 30-pitch batting practice session of nothing but fastballs and changeups, and he said he'll probably throw nothing but fastballs and changeups when he makes his first spring ..."

A.J. 'changes' repertoire

Comment

March 2

New York Post

"It could be nothing more than a ploy to mess with hitters' heads, but A.J. Burnett threw a dozen changeups during a 30-pitch batting-practice session yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Several years ago, Mariano Rivera announced he was going to use the exhibition schedule to add a changeup to his killer cutter. Immediately, scouts had Rivera on their "must-see" list to get a look at another pitch. Rivera threw the pitch in Florida and never again. Now, Burnett is talking about adding the change to his two-seam fastball and filthy curve. "[Catcher] Jorge [Posada] and I have been talking when to use it and when not to use it," the Yankees right-hander said. "It's a good second pitch, ..."

A.J. Burnett tries to develop change up

Comment

March 2

New York Daily News

"A.J. Burnett is hoping to change things up this season - literally. Burnett is trying to develop his changeup this spring. "Watching CC (Sabathia) throw last year, being a power guy and how much he uses it," Burnett said, "it opened my eyes a little bit." Burnett, in his second season in pinstripes, threw 30 pitches in his lone batting practice session of the spring Monday, estimating that he tossed about a dozen changeups."

NY Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett worked on changeup with longtime reliever Arthur Rhodes

Comment

February 26

Newark Star-Ledger

"Encouraged by a full season of watching CC Sabathia dominate hitters with his changeup, Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett spent his entire offseason trying to improve his own version of the pitch. Burnett said he's never spent more time trying to refine his changeup, even enlisting the help of an old friend and neighbor, Reds reliever Arthur Rhodes. "I think it's a big key," said Burnett, who wants the pitch to be reliable enough to use when his curveball is off. "Whether I throw it or not, I don't know. But I've been working it." In 2005, his last with the Marlins, Burnett threw a career-high 9.9 percent changeups according to FanGraphs. But since that season, that number has slipped. And by ..."

Fresh start for A.J. Burnett

Comment

February 23

Bergen Record

"A.J. Burnett threw his first bullpen session Monday morning, and it hardly was coincidence that Jorge Posada was his catcher. During the latter part of 2009, Burnett threw mainly to backup Jose Molina. "I hope [Posada] catches every bullpen and every game this spring," said Burnett, who exited the season "feeling like I caused that controversy." It began Aug. 22, during a blowout loss at Boston, when Burnett felt he'd thrown some pitches without conviction. But Burnett accepted the blame. "I never questioned Jorgie. I never would. I questioned myself." But from that point, Molina (who signed with Toronto) more or less became Burnett's personal catcher, including all five postseason starts. ..."

Yankees A.J. Burnett, Jorge Posada on same page

Comment

February 23

New York Post

"Joe Girardi's plan to have Jorge Posada catch for A.J. Burnett this spring started yesterday when Posada squatted for Burnett's initial bullpen session at George M. Steinbrenner Field. A year ago, the pitcher and catcher struggled so much that the Yankees manager paired backup Jose Molina with Burnett across the right-hander's final six regular-season starts and all but one inning in his five postseason outings. Now, with Molina in Toronto and neophyte Francisco Cervelli poised to be the backup catcher, Girardi, Burnett and Posada are looking to make the relationship work. "I enjoy A.J.," Posada said. "I get up for catching him. I love it. We never had any issues or problems. It happens in ..."

After rough 2009, Jorge Posada and A.J. Burnett start things off on right foot

Comment

February 23

New York Daily News

"With a firm handshake and a pat on the back, A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada took the first step toward erasing the controversy that hovered over them during the final months of 2009. The two worked together during Burnett's bullpen session Monday, starting a process that should result in Posada catching Burnett this season after Jose Molina had assumed personal catching duties for the pitcher last fall. "I was looking forward to it from the first day of camp, to be able to put that behind us and start working together," Burnett said. "A lot of stuff was blown out of proportion last year. We've talked a handful of times already, so we're excited to put that behind us, move on and learn from ..."

New York Yankees righty A.J. Burnett wants to add second World Series ring this season

Comment

February 21

New York Daily News

"A.J. Burnett has very few regrets from last year. He doesn't regret opting out of his contract with the Blue Jays, and he certainly doesn't regret signing a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Yankees that enabled him to capture the first championship of his career. In fact, the 33-year-old has only one regret from his first year in pinstripes: He never got the chance to hit Derek Jeter with one of his trademark whipped cream pies. "The fact that I didn't get Jeter really lets me down," Burnett deadpanned. "I guess I have something to strive for." While Burnett's debut season will be remembered in part for his pie-throwing antics, it was his work on the mound that helped the Yankees win ..."

Jorge to catch Burnett in spring training

Comment

February 21

New York Post

"Yankees manager Joe Girardi isn't assigning neophyte catcher Francisco Cervelli to be A.J. Burnett's personal catcher this year. In the second half of last season, Jose Molina caught the right-handed Burnett regularly after Jorge Posada and Burnett couldn't work effectively. Molina and Burnett continued to work together in the postseason. Nevertheless, Molina wasn't brought back -- he is with the Blue Jays -- and Cervelli (25 on March 6) is Posada's backup after starting 25 games (he played in 42 overall) a year ago, when he batted .298, showed an above average throwing arm, drew praise from the pitchers and injected a lot of energy into the position."

Yankees ace A.J. Burnett wants to add second World Series ring to hand this season

Comment

February 21

New York Daily News

"A.J. Burnett has very few regrets from last year. He doesn't regret opting out of his contract with the Blue Jays, and he certainly doesn't regret signing a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Yankees that enabled him to capture the first championship of his career. In fact, the 33-year-old has only one regret from his first year in pinstripes: He never got the chance to hit Derek Jeter with one of his trademark whipped cream pies."

Jorge Posada can't wait to catch New York Yankees ace A.J. Burnett next season

Comment

February 21

New York Daily News

"Four months after being benched for A.J. Burnett's four postseason starts, Jorge Posada says he never took it personally, even if he didn't like it. And now, he says, he can't wait to catch Burnett again. "I get up when he pitches," Posada said Saturday, referring to his intensity level behind the plate. "My body raises up the way it raised when I caught Roger Clemens, when I caught guys like that. A.J. is that special. "Last year I really got up when he pitched. You can't be passive back there. His stuff is so good, he's electrifying. It's a real challenge, but it's fun. It's unfortunate what happened last season, but I'm looking forward to catching him again. I really am.""

Yankees giving aces CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte special treatment

Comment

February 18

New York Daily News

"The Yankees rode the arms of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte to the World Series title last fall, sticking with a three-man rotation through the entire postseason. They won't have it nearly as rough this spring, as the Bombers plan on going slowly with all three. While the three hurlers will make the standard six starts during spring training, Joe Girardi and pitching coach Dave Eiland have devised a schedule that will give each one three bullpen sessions and one batting practice before they make their first start, a slight alteration of the typical spring schedule."

Burnett makes pitch for New York Yankees aquiring Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay

Comment

December 1

New York Daily News

"A.J. Burnett escaped Toronto and won a World Series in his first season in pinstripes. Now he's hoping Roy Halladay can do the same. Halladay's future continues to be the hottest topic in what has been a silent hot stove season, with the Yankees and Red Sox preparing to take their best shot at acquiring the Blue Jays ace. Burnett, who credited Halladay with helping him become a more consistent pitcher during their three years as teammates, would love to see the former Cy Young winner traded to a contender - preferably the Yankees - and get his opportunity to pitch in the postseason for the first time, something Burnett finally did this fall. "I think it's time for him to get a fresh ..."

Burnett delivers pie for the new guys after New York Yankees win Game 6 of World Series

Comment

November 5

New York Daily News

"The final pitch of the Yankees' season was delivered a few moments after the final out, in the midst of the on-field celebration and just before the Bombers hoisted the World Series trophy for the 27th time in franchise history. Acting on instinct and making good on a midseason promise, A.J. Burnett stalked Joe Girardi and delivered one of his patented whipped-cream pies to the manager's face, capping the Yankees' final "walk-off" victory that was never in doubt. "I got him finally," Burnett said in the champagne-soaked clubhouse after the Bombers clinched the Series with a 7-3 victory over Philadelphia in Game 6. "I got him when it counts. "Any time you think it couldn't get any better, ..."

Pitching A.J. Burnett on short rest backfires for Joe Girardi, New York Yankees in Game 5

Comment

November 3

New York Daily News

columnist Filip Bondy

"Joe Girardi has all the patience of a hungry puppy. He can't sit back, let the natural order of things unfold in their own time. So he took another nervous chance Monday, starting A.J. Burnett on three days' rest, and now the Yankee manager has a serious Series on his hands. He has a Game 6, maybe a Game 7 back in the Bronx. He's facing a revived Phillies lineup, a Herculean Chase Utley. He might start two more pitchers on three days' rest. And he has only himself to blame. This isn't a case of second-guessing Girardi. There was a whole lot of first-guessing going on long before Burnett and the Yanks were beaten Monday night, 8-6, in Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park. Chad Gaudin was the ..."

Yankees' A.J. Burnett flounders on mound in Game 5, even with Jose Molina behind the plate

Comment

November 3

New York Daily News

"With his team one win away from a World Series championship, Joe Girardi stuck with Jose Molina as A.J. Burnett's personal catcher, inserting the backup into the lineup for Game 5 Monday night. The move didn't pay dividends, as Burnett was rocked for six runs in two-plus innings and Molina grounded out in his only at-bat before being replaced by Jorge Posada in the fifth. Posada went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored, part of the ninth-inning rally that fell short. Molina had caught each of Burnett's first four postseason starts, three of which resulted in quality starts for the Yankees. Burnett gave up one run over seven innings in a Game 2 win against the Phillies, so Girardi ..."

Burnett embarrassed by Game 5 outing

Comment

November 3

MLB.com

"From the tone of A.J. Burnett's voice, it hardly seemed as if the Yankees were still leading this best-of-seven World Series, 3-2, following his club's 8-6 loss to the Phillies on Monday in Game 5. The Bronx Bombers could have won the thing already, Burnett lamented. And they didn't because of him. "I try not to think about it too much, but you can't help it," Burnett said. "I had a chance to do something special tonight, and I failed. I let a lot of guys in here down and I let a city down." He couldn't throw strikes. He couldn't throw curveballs -- not good ones, anyway. Worst of all, though, Burnett could not keep his team in the game. Much as he did in his Game 5 start in the American ..."

For A.J., fear strikes out

Comment

November 3

New York Post

columnist David Wells

"A.J. Burnett just looked plain scared last night. He had already allowed a three-run homer to Chase Utley in the first inning and seemed determined not to let the Phillies second baseman beat him again. So he walked him leading off the third, and you just knew Burnett was in trouble. He then threw a 3-2 curve and walked Ryan Howard, and the end was near. Base hit, Jayson Werth for a run. Then came an RBI single from Raul Ibanez. Burnett's night was finished. The Yankees lost Game 5 of the World Series and now have a day off to contemplate finishing off the Phillies back in The Bronx. This was not a clinic on how to pitch in big games. You've got to be aggressive and not afraid to fail. ..."

Burnett bombs, says 'I let the city down'

Comment

November 3

New York Post

"By the time the Yankees got into the suspect Phillies bullpen late in Game 5 last night, the early ditch A.J. Burnett had driven them into was too deep to escape. With a chance to cop their 27th World Series title, the Yankees turned to Burnett on three days' rest instead of the customary four. Using talent evaluator language, Burnett was "short." Paired against Phillies ace and fellow Arkansas native Cliff Lee, Burnett didn't get out of the third inning, allowed six runs and four hits, walked four and hit a batter in an 8-6 loss that was witnessed by 46,178 at Citizens Bank Park. "I let 25 guys down. I let a whole city down," Burnett said of the miserable outing which he explained wasn't ..."

Burnett: Less rest may lead to sleepless night

Comment

November 3

Boston Globe

"You don't get many chances for immortality, to be on the mound with the chance to clinch a World Series for the New York Yankees. For that reason, his teammates and his fans feel bad for A.J. Burnett, a gritty competitor. Nobody wanted to end the Series any more than Burnett in last night's Game 5. He wanted to use his great curveball and keep the Phillies' hitters off balance and then blow his fastball past them."

Molina is likely to catch Burnett

Comment

November 2

New York Post

"Manager Joe Girardi didn't surprise anybody who has been paying attention when he named A.J. Burnett as the Yankees' World Series Game 5 starter tonight on three days' rest against the Phillies. The Yankees grabbed a 3-1 series lead with a 7-4 victory last night in Game 4. Despite having to use Burnett's bat without a designated hitter, don't look for Girardi to ruffle the waters when it comes to who catches Burnett. Working with Molina, Burnett is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in four starts and was outstanding in Game 2 when Molina caught all seven of his innings. With the Yankees down, 1-0, Burnett allowed one run and four hits in seven frames."

AJ ready to be hero

Comment

November 2

New York Post

"A.J. Burnett gets a chance to live every kids dream tonight. You know, winning the deciding game of the World Series and heading home for the winter as a conquering hero. "I'd lie if I said I wasn't going to think about [this] all night," Burnett said moments after the Yankees beat the Phillies 7-4 in Game 4 of the World Series. "You dream about it. This is what you talk about growing up. I'm not going to take it as just one ordinary game or another start." The Yankees have gotten to November riding the backs of three starting pitchers, so changing the formula now isn't an option. Burnett will go on three days rest, after the Yankees had discussed last week the possibility of using Chad ..."

A-Rod puts Yanks a win away

Comment

November 2

New York Post

"The Yankees are nine innings away from returning to a place Derek Jeter and others firmly believe a season is a failure if they don't. Tonight at Citizens Bank Park, a gem of a baseball stadium, the Yankees will attempt to win their 27th World Series title and first since 2000 against the defending champion Phillies. Thanks to a gutsy effort by CC Sabathia on short rest and enough production from a lineup that produced two runs in the first and fifth innings and three in the ninth, the Yankees won Game 4, 7-4, last night in front of 46,145. The victory gave the Yankees a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Series. A.J. Burnett, the second Yankees hurler in two games to work on three ..."

Bombers nab edge by prepping CC, A.J. on short rest

Comment

October 31

New York Post

"Advantage, Yankees. Can a team that hit .222 in the first two games of the World Series, is batting a putrid .200 with runners in scoring position in those games and has bullpen issues be the favorite in a best-of-seven Series that is tied 1-1 going into tonight's Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park? When the next three pitching matchups likely will be the Yankees' Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett against the Phillies' Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Cliff Lee, respectively, the answer is "Yes." The moment Phillies manager Charlie Manuel opted not to pitch Lee, who dominated the Yankees in Game 1, on three days' rest in Game 4, the pendulum swung toward the Yankees. The Phillies needed ..."

Burnett aces the part

Comment

October 30

Camden Courier-Post

columnist Sam Borden

"Everyone thought this game was going to be about Pedro Martinez against the Yankees, another chapter in a book that seems to go back forever. Only then the Yankees lost Game 1, got beat by Cliff Lee in front of a packed Stadium in the Bronx, and all of a sudden Game 2 wasn't about Pedro Martinez anymore. It was about A.J. Burnett. You talk about moments for the new guys on the team, about when they "get their pinstripes" and really, truly know about what it's like be a part of the biggest show in sports. This was that night for Burnett, a right-hander with tattoos snaking up and down his arms and legs, and an emotional volatility on the mound that can weave as wildly as the ink. This is ..."

A.J. and Lee put on rem-Ark.-able show

Comment

October 30

New York Post

columnist Mike Vaccaro

"The last time the World Series visited The Bronx, A.J. Burnett did, too. That's what he felt like in 2003: a visitor, an outsider, a stranger in the strange world of the World Series. This was across the street, the day before Game 1 between the Marlins and the Yankees, and Burnett reached a milestone that day: across the vast, historic lawn of old Yankee Stadium, he long-tossed with a teammate. It was the first time he'd done that in six months. His elbow, still recovering from Tommy John surgery, felt great. But Burnett, now 32, was equal parts brave-faced and bittersweet; even if he felt good for the kids he'd grown up with on the Marlins, for Josh Beckett and Miguel Cabrera, for Carl ..."

A.J. bests Martinez to even Series

Comment

October 30

New York Post

"A.J. Burnett and Mariano Rivera altered the mood in the Yankees' universe last night better than any drug could have. Armed with a filthy curveball he was able to throw for strikes, Burnett earned his October pinstripes by allowing the Phillies a run and four hits across seven innings, and Rivera supplied two shutout innings of relief as the Yankees evened the World Series with a 3-1 Game 2 victory before a Yankee Stadium crowd of 50,181. With the best-of-seven Series tied 1-1, Game 3 is tomorrow night in Philadelphia, where Andy Pettitte opposes Cole Hamels, last year's World Series MVP the Phillies were wary of pitching in The Bronx. Instead they went with longtime Yankees villain Pedro ..."

A.J. brings 'em back

Comment

October 30

Toronto Sun

"A.J. Burnett made 33 starts and won 13 games for the New York Yankees this season. He also took his shaving cream pie in the face post-game ritual with him when he left the Blue Jays. In all, he delivered 17 pies in the face this season after walkoff wins. The way he pitched last night, he should have loaded up a towel full of shaving cream and applied one to himself. Burnett pitched seven impressive innings, getting his Yanks on even ground with a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 50,181 fans in Game 2 of the 105th World Series. The best-of-seven set is tied 1-1 as it moves to Philly. "This means a lot. I wanted to set the tone after last night," said Burnett, who watched ..."

Yankees ride A.J. to victory

Comment

October 30

Toronto Star

columnist Dave Perkins

"There was no patricide in the Bronx, after all. And the Yankees aren't quite dead, either. A.J. Burnett outpitched Pedro Martinez and the high-priced Yankee power arrived Thursday night, New York riding solo homers by Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui to a 3-1 victory over the Phillies that levels the best-of-seven World Series at one game each. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday in Philadelphia. New York manager Joe Girardi, with the front of his bullpen shaky lately, went to closer Mariano Rivera for a two-inning save behind Burnett's excellent start and Rivera dismissed the Phillies, although not easily. He required a smartly turned double play out of Chase Utley, the Game 1 slugging hero, ..."

Burnett, Yankees even World Series with a 3-1 win in Game 2

Comment

October 30

Denver Post

"This was exactly the kind of night to not want A.J. Burnett. He was too inconsistent, flakier than Kellogg's. He was too lean on accomplishments, possessing more tattoos than big wins. But on a cool Thursday night in the new Yankee Stadium, Burnett was too much for the Phillies to handle. Burnett found the time and place for himself on the sport's biggest stage, suffocating the Phillies in a 3-1 victory that evened the World Series at a game apiece. Maybe now, Yankee fans can breathe again, hyperventilation a stranger after Burnett, of all people, came up clutch against the ageless Pedro Martinez. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has long been known as a pitcher just good enough to get managers ..."

Burnett squares it away

Comment

October 30

Boston Globe

"Sitting on the chair in front of his locker, A.J. Burnett gathered in the small bodies of his two sons. "You did awesome,'' one said. It was hard to think anything else. He had done awesome, striking out nine - including Ryan Howard three times - as he chases a real World Series ring."

Burnett gets Yankees even in World Series

Comment

October 30

Washington Times

"The New York Yankees arrived Thursday night for Game 2 of the World Series perilously close to a must-win situation. And with the variables that had to line up for them to even their series with the Philadelphia Phillies at a game apiece, it was worth asking whether they could pull it off. They had to beat old nemesis Pedro Martinez, rejuvenated as a second-half pickup and coming off one of his finest postseason starts in the National League Championship Series. They had to hope a lineup that included a pair of reserves could keep up with a fierce Phillies attack. And they had to count on starter A.J. Burnett at least to keep the game close. And they got it all. Riding a stellar start from ..."

Heat's on A.J.

Comment

October 29

New York Post

"A.J. Burnett doesn't have the luxury of a series lead or the leeway to struggle at all tonight. Last night in Game 1 of the World Series, CC Sabathia pitched well, surrendering just two runs in the Yankees' 6-1 loss at the Stadium. But Sabathia still took a loss, putting the Yankees in a 1-0 series hole and putting a sizeable amount of pressure on Burnett for Game 2 tonight. Burnett, who is facing Pedro Martinez, is working on an $82.5 million contract, so it's not as if the added pressure is an unfair burden to him. Nevertheless, it also is Burnett's first career World Series start. During the season, Burnett started 13 times after a Yankees loss, and he responded pretty well. Burnett ..."

Burnett takes heat for Game 4 loss

Comment

October 25

Toronto Sun

"The honeymoon appears to be over for A.J. Burnett in New York. All season long, Burnett and Nick Swisher have been credited for injecting a bit of fun into the Yankees clubhouse; Burnett for his pie-in-the-face routine after every Yankees walkoff and Swisher for his general carefree personality. But after he failed not once but twice in Thursday's clinching game, Burnett is taking heat from fans and media. The New York Daily News ran a poll of 7,000 fans trying to find out who should take the lion's share of blame for the Game 4 defeat and 34% of them said it was on Burnett, edging out manager Joe Girardi."

Angels rough up A.J. and Yankees

Comment

October 23

Toronto Star

columnist Dave perkins

"This one is on Joe Girardi, who kept trusting A.J. Burnett when he shouldn't have. The Angels blew a four-run lead Thursday night, but rallied against Burnett and the struggling Yankees bullpen to win 7-6 and keep this American League championship series going. It goes right across the continent to resume with Game 6 at Yankee Stadium Saturday night, Yanks leading 3-2. There was the obligatory ninth-inning drama, Angels closer Brian Fuentes facing Alex Rodriguez with none on and two out and manager Mike Scioscia ordering him walked intentionally. Hideki Matsui took it to a full count before walking and Robinson Cano was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nick Swisher then capped on 0-for-5 ..."

A.J. Burnett takes hill, tries to pitch New York Yankees into World Series

Comment

October 22

New York Daily News

"A.J. Burnett didn't come to the Yankees to be a cream-pie throwing sideshow. He accepted $82.5 million to complete a formidable 1-2 punch atop the starting rotation with fellow free-agent signing CC Sabathia and to pitch the Yankees back into the World Series for the first time since 2003. Sabathia did his part once again Tuesday night, improving to 3-0 this postseason with eight innings of one-run ball on three days' rest. And now Burnett, who has pitched well despite earning no-decisions in each of his two postseason starts this October, gets the first crack to win the pennant in Game 5 today at Angel Stadium. "This is why I signed," Burnett said before yesterday's off-day workout. ..."

A.J. Burnett is having fun with the Yankees

Comment

October 22

Los Angeles Times

"If the stodgy old Yankee Stadium was the House that Ruth Built, then the glistening new ballpark next door is the House the Three Stooges Inhabit. Because in addition to changing addresses this season, the team has changed attitudes thanks to the winter additions of free spirits A.J. Burnett, Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira. And that, more than anything else, may be the best explanation why the newly relaxed Yankees find themselves a win away from their first World Series in six years. "On the field we're businesslike," captain Derek Jeter said. "And that's still today. [But] now it seems like people may have more fun." Adds pitcher Joba Chamberlain: "There's so many different ..."

Followin' CC's lead

Comment

October 17

New York Post

"One of the toughest acts to follow in baseball is actually one of the easiest, swears A.J. Burnett. "I've had the pleasure of following [CC Satathia] often this year," said the Yankees' Game 2 starter. "There ain't nothing like going after him. "He sets the tone, he comes out and he attacks. He has that confidence, too. He works hard in between every fifth day. "That's what you want to see from your fellow starters. You want to see commitment and effort. He's non-stop through the whole season. To be able to throw that many innings and do what he does year in and year out, he's definitely an ace, number one. "He's had a huge impact on me." Actually, Burnett started the game after Sabathia ..."

Girardi says Yankees are considering using three-man rotation for ALCS

Comment

October 13

The Times of Trenton

"Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday that the team is considering going with a three-man starting rotation against the Angels in the ALCS. In a conference call with reporters, Girardi said Yankees officials will meet Wednesday morning to go over their scouting report on the Angels and discuss roster decisions. "We're definitely considering going to a three-man rotation in this round," Girardi said. "But we'll have to take a look at it and see how it goes." If the Yankees use a fourth starter, Girardi said it would be either Joba Chamberlain or Chad Gaudin, although he added, "We were happy with the way Joba threw out of the bullpen" against the Twins."

AJ's 1st playoff outing solid, short

Comment

October 10

New York Post

"A.J. Burnett's night: One run allowed and one cream pie delivered to his first baseman's face. The veteran right-hander had long retired to the Yankees' clubhouse and was watching on television as Mark Teixeira stepped to the plate in last night's 11th inning. But because the broadcast was on a delay of several seconds, Burnett wasn't sure why he felt the Stadium shaking. "We're in here, 'What happened? What happened?' " Burnett said after Teixeira's home run gave the Yankees a 4-3 victory over the Twins in Game 2 of the ALDS. "The next thing you know, I'm running down the tunnel throwing a pie." Burnett also did his part on the mound, allowing one earned run on three hits over six ..."

Pie is topping for A.J. Burnett in Yankees' ALDS win over Twins

Comment

October 10

New York Daily News

"Five innings after he was lifted from Game2 of the American League division series Friday night, A.J. Burnett delivered his final pitch, rearing back and nailing Mark Teixeira in the face with a whipped-cream pie following the slugger's walk-off home run at the Stadium. Sitting in the clubhouse and watching the game on TV with Joba Chamberlain, Burnett heard a thunderous applause erupt in the bottom of the 11th inning, but didn't know right away that Teixeira had lifted the Bombers to a 4-3 victory because of tape delay. "This whole placed started shaking, and we hadn't seen the pitch yet," Burnett said, looking up at the clubhouse ceiling as he spoke. "I'm hugging with Joba, there were ..."

A.J. Burnett gets advice from Andy Pettitte as he prepares for first playoff start

Comment

October 9

Newark Star-Ledger

"As he watched the Yankees pull away from the Twins in Game 1 of the division series Wednesday, A.J. Burnett couldn't help but look ahead to Friday night. He wondered what it would be like when he makes his first career postseason start. Turns out he was sitting next to the right guy to ask. Andy Pettitte, who was seated alongside Burnett in the Yankees dugout, gave him some words of advice -- words Burnett will no doubt keep in mind when he takes the mound at Yankee Stadium. "It was more about pitching in a postseason environment than it was about [Game 1]," Burnett said of his in-game chat with Pettitte. "It's another start. It means a lot, and it's the postseason, and it's my first one ..."

Molina handles A.J., controversy in stride

Comment

October 9

New York Post

columnist Mike Vaccaro

"Jose Molina looks like a man who's been falsely accused of a crime. The doors of the Yankees clubhouse have just swung open, a quick workout awaits, and in a few moments he will be surrounded by a pack of people with notebooks and cameras who ask the same question a hundred different ways. And it goes something like this: How does it feel to boot a beloved player to the bench? He knows the questions are coming. He's heard the buzz surrounding Joe Girardi's decision to use him as A.J. Burnett's personal catcher tonight in Game 2 of the Yanks' ALDS matchup with Minnesota, a move that will shove Jorge Posada, one of four inner-circle Yankees left from the Dynasty Years, out of the lineup ..."

Burn-ing for postseason success

Comment

October 9

New York Post

"A.J. Burnett owns a world championship ring, but the only line of his postseason resume reads: "Drank champagne with the Marlins to celebrate a wild ride through October 2003." Tonight will be something new for Burnett -- not to mention a first opportunity to make everyone forget the solid, yet unspectacular regular-season he had. The right-hander will have his preferred catcher, Jose Molina, behind the plate and nearly 50,000 fans on his side. Now Burnett just has to handle the Twins in Game 2 of the AL Division Series. "I have to go at it as another start and not overdo it and just be me," Burnett said yesterday. "It's going to be crazy. It's going to be loud. It's going to be ..."

Yankees' Burnett gets first big test

Comment

October 9

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"A.J. Burnett has never been on the mound at Yankee Stadium, or any stadium, in a postseason game. But he has been near the mound at the old Yankee Stadium after a postseason game. Burnett was an injured member of the Florida Marlins when they won the World Series against the New York Yankees in 2003, with the clincher coming in Game 6 in the Bronx. Burnett, who will face Nick Blackburn and the Twins tonight in Game 2 of the American League Division Series, traveled with the Marlins in the 2003 postseason even though he pitched in only four games that season because of elbow surgery. So when the Marlins celebrated their series-clinching win, a 2-0 gem thrown by Series MVP Josh Beckett, ..."

A.J. caught up in drama

Comment

October 9

Toronto Sun

columnist Ken Fidlin

"In New York, come playoff time, there are no innocent bystanders. It is all about the drama and you can't have drama without conflict. So, that's why A.J. Burnett finds himself an unwitting Brutus to Jorge Posada's Caesar. On a night when he is about to realize one of his goals in life, at long last to pitch in the post-season, Burnett has found it necessary to mount an "it wasn't me" defence on the decision to sit Posada, the venerable catcher, who has been at the centre of most of the important Yankees moments of the past dozen years. This is touchy stuff. Derek Jeter is the captain of the Yankee family, but Posada is its CEO, the man whose opinions are sought and valued, the man whose ..."