He will thrive in a place with energy.

 

 

I doubt it. He can't pitch in the limelight or when the pressure is on. This team certainly had the talent to make it to the playoffs.

 

 

 

I have to agree with a post above that McKeon has worn out his welcome. I don't think he knows how to deal with this generation of players. I don't know who it was that mentioned this, but it is possible that Al Leiter had something to do with the increased tension in this ballclub. Perhaps he said some things to different players on the team.

I'm going to miss watching some of the best stuff I have ever seen.

A

 

As one of the top power pitchers in the game, Burnett would rank among the most attractive free agents this winter.

 

 

When did this happen?

Yeah...few teams wouldnt want a guy who throws in the upper 90s and has a sub 3.5 ERA and nearly 200 K's....

 

You guys demand too much from the no. 3 starter on your team.

 

A sub 3.5 ERA in the NL is like a 4.00 ERA in the AL. Doesn't look quite as impressive when you view things that way. Also, our team doesn't score runs the same way the Red Sox do. If he wants to win here, he has to pitch better. Dontrelle doesn't mess around with the run support.... he's got a 2.40 ERA. He said, fock it, I'm winning no matter what. Also, AJ was not supposed to be our third pitcher... he was supposed to be our second guy (Leiter was our no. 2 starter just to sandwich in a lefty between the two power righties).

The irony is that McKeon probably deals better with the younger players than the veterans. His Cincy team was young (except for Larkin) and the 03 team was relatively young.

 

I would state that the "generation of players making more than $4million" to, if so, then I would agree.

I will miss AJ bar none...when he was on, no one could hit him...hate to say it but Miami fans don't support the Fish.

The full story from the Sun-Sentinel:

 

Burnett steaming over Marlins loss to Braves

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Posted September 25 2005, 8:38 PM EDT

 

ATLANTA -- The first clue was third base coach Jeff Cox's voice rising to a never-before-heard level in the clubhouse, culminating an out-of-sight, postgame encounter with A.J. Burnett.

 

The next was a crashing sound in the shower after Burnett entered.

 

Something was bugging Burnett after Sunday's 5-3, Turner Field loss to the Braves. He made sure everyone knew it.

 

In a rant reminiscent of the Dan Miceli bombast that preceded manager John Boles' 2001 firing, Burnett ripped manager Jack McKeon and the coaching staff for creating an unfavorable work environment.

 

"We play scared, we manage scared, we coach scared, and I'm sick of it, man," Burnett said. "It's depressing around here?It's like they expect us to mess up and when we do they chew our a -- out. There's no positive nothing around here for anybody. Young kids come up, they can't get early hitting. They can't get early work. There's no positive [feeling] on this staff whatsoever, none.

 

"It's a waste. A positive pat on the back is better than anything and I haven't seen a positive pat on the back since April.

 

Guys are out here busting their a -- ?We ain't trying to lose. We ain't trying to give up runs or strike out. Guys are out there busting their a -- , yet you still hear negativity. I'm not saying no names, just too much negativity."

 

Burnett didn't point to one specific incident during Sunday's loss, which culminated a 1-5 road trip and kept the Marlins five back of the wild card leading Astros with six to play. His beef with Cox might have stemmed from a third-inning episode.

 

On a Carlos Delgado double, Burnett scored from second but Jeff Conine didn't make it home from first. Cox was almost halfway down the third-base line when he held up Conine, who took too far of a turn and got caught in a rundown.

 

The Marlins spotted Burnett a 3-0 lead only to watch the Braves orchestrate their third come-from-behind win of the series. He exited after totaling 119 pitches and putting the first two on in the seventh of a tie game. Reliever Randy Messenger inherited those runners and both scored.

 

"It's a 3-3 game," said Burnett, who served up a game-tying, two-run homer to Marcus Giles in the fifth. "I give up a home run, it's a funeral. I'm over it, man. I've got one more start here and that's all that matters."

 

A free agent after this season, Burnett never has expressed much desire to re-sign with the Marlins. His frustration might be the product of multiple sources.

 

It doesn't appear he'll be pitching in the postseason, a chance he missed in 2003 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Plus, he's likely cost himself millions by losing seven of his last eight starts after winning seven in a row. Burnett is 12-12.

 

"Wild card or not, playoffs or not, our season ain't over," Burnett said. "The game ain't over when it's 3-1. The game ain't over when it's 3-3. It's called the big game of baseball. It happens. Teams fight back. Atlanta fought back."

 

McKeon attributed Burnett's rant to emotions getting the better of him. Immediately after the game, McKeon made some pointed comments about Burnett not holding leads, untimely walks, and lack of command in spite of sustaining his velocity.

 

Burnett walked the leadoff man in the fourth and seventh innings. Both scored.

 

"He plays," McKeon said. "We try to do the best we can out here. Everybody gets frustrated at times. I think sometimes you have to look in the mirror. We certainly don't pitch, me or the coaches. We don't hit.

 

"This happens all the time. [Today] he'll come up and say I didn't mean it or got misquoted. This is a tough job playing in the big leagues. You're on a stage. Everybody has to be held accountable."

 

Juan C. Rodriguez can be reached at jcrodriguez@sun-sentinel.com.

I really think he could be on to something..maybe Jack's act is wearing thin upon them......this team didnt seem to play with the fun they usually had...

I will miss AJ bar none...when he was on, no one could hit him...hate to say it but Miami fans don't support the Fish.

 

Some of Miami fans are supportive.

Admin for example..if he lived in Miami.

A

 

As one of the top power pitchers in the game, Burnett would rank among the most attractive free agents this winter.

 

 

When did this happen?

Yeah...few teams wouldnt want a guy who throws in the upper 90s and has a sub 3.5 ERA and nearly 200 K's....

 

You guys demand too much from the no. 3 starter on your team.

 

A sub 3.5 ERA in the NL is like a 4.00 ERA in the AL. Doesn't look quite as impressive when you view things that way. Also, our team doesn't score runs the same way the Red Sox do. If he wants to win here, he has to pitch better. Dontrelle doesn't mess around with the run support.... he's got a 2.40 ERA. He said, fock it, I'm winning no matter what. Also, AJ was not supposed to be our third pitcher... he was supposed to be our second guy (Leiter was our no. 2 starter just to sandwich in a lefty between the two power righties).

Josh Beckett is the no. 2 on that team. Dont kid yourself. I dont care what his spot in the rotation was, he was the 2nd best starter on your team...followed by AJ.

 

And I dont think Burnett gave a sh*t about alot of his starts. This is obviously someone who cares and feeds off the energy in the ballpark and can use it to his advantage in his starts. In New York, Boston, and potentially Baltimore I think he will want it alot more then he ever wanted it in a modifed football stadium in front of sparse crowds.

He will thrive in a place with energy.

I dunno man...he has a lot of growing up to do mentally. Usually if the smallest of things go wrong the guy blows up. He walks a ton of batters. He overthrows. To me if he went to a place with energy it would cause him to overthrow even more. He was terrible down the stretch and when we needed him most in September. He kept the Marlins in the race in August, but he more then helped take the Marlins out of it.

 

Not saying he won't, but the man has got to learn to pitch.

A

 

As one of the top power pitchers in the game, Burnett would rank among the most attractive free agents this winter.

 

 

When did this happen?

Yeah...few teams wouldnt want a guy who throws in the upper 90s and has a sub 3.5 ERA and nearly 200 K's....

 

You guys demand too much from the no. 3 starter on your team.

 

A sub 3.5 ERA in the NL is like a 4.00 ERA in the AL. Doesn't look quite as impressive when you view things that way. Also, our team doesn't score runs the same way the Red Sox do. If he wants to win here, he has to pitch better. Dontrelle doesn't mess around with the run support.... he's got a 2.40 ERA. He said, fock it, I'm winning no matter what. Also, AJ was not supposed to be our third pitcher... he was supposed to be our second guy (Leiter was our no. 2 starter just to sandwich in a lefty between the two power righties).

Josh Beckett is the no. 2 on that team. Dont kid yourself. I dont care what his spot in the rotation was, he was the 2nd best starter on your team...followed by AJ.

 

And I dont think Burnett gave a sh*t about alot of his starts. This is obviously someone who cares and feeds off the energy in the ballpark and can use it to his advantage in his starts. In New York, Boston, and potentially Baltimore I think he will want it alot more then he ever wanted it in a modifed football stadium in front of sparse crowds.

 

How do you know he feeds off the energy in the ballpark? I've never seen him do it... and certainly in big games with big crowds he choked.

I really think he could be on to something..maybe Jack's act is wearing thin upon them......this team didnt seem to play with the fun they usually had...

 

 

 

Winning is fun, Fun is winning!

Jack has not changed from day one....Throw strikes and make them beat you....He is still in the game if not walking two lead off batters. It is funny that Dontrelle and Beckett understand this...! The only thing wearing thin is AJ's ability to accept that he is not on either one of their levels Yet

I really think he could be on to something..maybe Jack's act is wearing thin upon them......this team didnt seem to play with the fun they usually had...

 

 

I agree with you. However, I think AJ's reaction today shows what kind of teammate and player he is. He's no Dontrelle. He's not Miggy. Shiat, he's not even close to being like Josh. He just has a really bad attitude and I am glad he's leaving. That said, I am also glad Jack won't be back. We need someone with more energy... let's get us a Latin guy full of energy and enthusiasm.

How do you know he feeds off the energy in the ballpark? I've never seen him do it... and certainly in big games with big crowds he choked.

 

I dont "know" per say, but I think a guy who publicly makes alot of comments about fan support and calls it depressing, obviously wants to pitch in a great atmosphere.

 

I just find it hysterical how a 28 year old with his numbers this season, can catch so much flak.

In New York, Boston, and potentially Baltimore I think he will want it alot more then he ever wanted it in a modifed football stadium in front of sparse crowds.

 

I think St. Louis seems like one of those places he may live up to his billing. I think we could be a sleeper team to look at him this offseason. I dont think it's outta the blue saying we'd be interested.

 

Personally I love his stuff if he could ever get it together. I just dont know what the heck his problem is (well mainly because I dont watch all his starts)? He walks too many batters and that stuff right? Well isnt there a way to correct that? :shifty

I think he's goin to Toronto and if he does....he instantly moves them to 2nd in the division potentially.

I think he's goin to Toronto and if he does....he instantly moves them to 2nd in the division potentially.

 

WTF?

I think he's goin to Toronto and if he does....he instantly moves them to 2nd in the division potentially.

 

In the words of Ramp:

"Potential don't mean sh*t"

In New York, Boston, and potentially Baltimore I think he will want it alot more then he ever wanted it in a modifed football stadium in front of sparse crowds.

 

I think St. Louis seems like one of those places he may live up to his billing. I think we could be a sleeper team to look at him this offseason. I dont think it's outta the blue saying we'd be interested.

 

Personally I love his stuff if he could ever get it together. I just dont know what the heck his problem is (well mainly because I dont watch all his starts)? He walks too many batters and that stuff right? Well isnt there a way to correct that? :shifty

You guys have so much good starting pitching...leave some for the rest of us starting pitching inept.

In New York, Boston, and potentially Baltimore I think he will want it alot more then he ever wanted it in a modifed football stadium in front of sparse crowds.

 

I think St. Louis seems like one of those places he may live up to his billing. I think we could be a sleeper team to look at him this offseason. I dont think it's outta the blue saying we'd be interested.

 

Personally I love his stuff if he could ever get it together. I just dont know what the heck his problem is (well mainly because I dont watch all his starts)? He walks too many batters and that stuff right? Well isnt there a way to correct that? :shifty

 

Three main problems.

 

1) Walks guys

2) Gets rattled easily by an error or just a bad inning

3) He doesn't pitch well in big games

How do you know he feeds off the energy in the ballpark? I've never seen him do it... and certainly in big games with big crowds he choked.

 

I dont "know" per say, but I think a guy who publicly makes alot of comments about fan support and calls it depressing, obviously wants to pitch in a great atmosphere.

 

I just find it hysterical how a 28 year old with his numbers this season, can catch so much flak.

 

He pitched many nights before 30,000+ cheering fans during his career and he still choked. And as Jack so aptly put it, once in a while you've got to look in the mirror and admit you're the problem, not the fans, not the mangement, not the organization, you.

Complain,complain,complain.Well good-bye AJ....not gonna miss you much.

I think he's goin to Toronto and if he does....he instantly moves them to 2nd in the division potentially.

 

WTF?

 

With the upcoming talent in their lineup, Roy, AJ and Chacin in the staff and a shrewd pickup by Riccardi for the pen, there's no reason they can't contend next year.

Yeah AJ feeds off the crowd. :plain

 

Big crowd in Philly- blows a 4-0 game.

Big crowd in Houston- walks Clemens with the bases juiced.

Big crowd in Atlanta- blows 3-0 game.

 

All in the last month.

 

Before this year his best year was 2002 when we averaged 10k a game at Dolphins Stadium.

 

It's simple with AJ. In the starts that he was good this year he pitched. In the starts he was bad he was the thrower. But the coaching staff can't tell him what he's doing wrong oh no,he goes and mouths off to the media.

 

If I remember correctly in ST he was whining because Wiley wanted to change his delivery so it didn't cause harm to the arm and he whined about it.

 

AJ is plain and simple full of himself.

You guys have so much good starting pitching...leave some for the rest of us starting pitching inept.

 

Suppan has a $4M 2006 club option which we may or may not pick up. Marquis will be a free agent. Matt Morris is pitching on a 1 year deal with incentives but I'm not all that certain we'd pick him up with his recent struggles but he's always been a Cardinal so he may end up back.

 

I guess it's just 2 or 3 starters could potentially be gone after this year. Cards are planning on giving Anthony Reyes a chance to make the rotation next year.. The only clear thing next year is Carpenter and Mulder though.

 

That's the only reason I thought we may look at him.. The owners may also raise the payroll heading into the new stadium but that hasnt even been confirmed or denied but I've been hearing that's possible.

 

Three main problems.

 

1) Walks guys

2) Gets rattled easily by an error or just a bad inning

3) He doesn't pitch well in big games

 

Thanks for letting me know.. Was curious!