February 12, 200422 yr Marlins' Burnett 'still a part of it' By Greg Stoda, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Thursday, February 12, 2004 The surgeon took away the hurt in A.J. Burnett's right elbow. The other hurt? The one that lodged itself in his heart and his head? Funny how that worked out. Funny how his Florida Marlins teammates helped heal that hurt -- here's the odd part -- by making Burnett hurt a little more when they went out and won the World Series without him. But that was a good kind of hurt. It's how the Marlins wrapped themselves around Burnett during their run to the National League wild-card spot and their subsequent rush past the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees on the way to last season's championship. "There was a little bit of jealousy," Burnett said last month sitting in the first-base dugout after a light throwing session at Pro Player Stadium. "But you love 'em and care about 'em so much that it took away any piece of bitterness. "Juan Pierre gave me a hug almost every day. Mike Redmond would yell, 'Badass in the room!' I can remember a handful of times when Dontrelle (Willis) or Josh (Beckett) would come in after an inning and pick my brain. They'd ask 'What would you have done?' They made me feel I was still a part of it." And anyone who saw Burnett's reaction in the champagne-soaked, smoke-filled visitors' clubhouse at Yankee Stadium the night the Marlins won the World Series title couldn't have doubted his joy or questioned how genuine its display. Once the team's ace, he hadn't pitched an inning since undergoing surgery in April to repair ligament damage. And his personal World Series highlight -- the one that was Burnett's alone -- was a simple session of long-toss catch with Marlins pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal in the outfield in New York during workouts leading up to Game 1. Why? Because that's when Burnett remembers "really lettin' it go" for the first time since the operation. Of course, he would have preferred to be in the middle of it all, performing the way Beckett did while becoming baseball's new sensation. But those bookend October moments -- a game of catch in a deserted outfield and a team's improbable triumph on a national stage -- made the hurt in Burnett's heart and head disappear for good. Pitcher, team taking it slowly The scar running from just below to just above the elbow on the inside of Burnett's right arm remains a light purple. "Don't even think about it except when my son kisses it," he said. That would be Allan James Jr., who every once in a while still runs to his father and asks, "Make daddy's boo-boo better?" Burnett never tells the child it's already better, because, hey, who's going to turn away that kind of affection? Besides, he said, the kisses work their own magic. There are times Burnett can't believe he's in such a good place so relatively soon after serious surgery. He and his wife, Karen, are expecting their second child not long after A.J. Jr.'s third birthday in early March, by which time the Marlins will be playing spring-training games. Burnett won't be, because there isn't really a timetable for his return beyond the 12 to 18 months' outline that has been there all along. "You come back from something like this when you should, not when you think you can," Burnett said. "I'm not going to push anything. I can handle that." Which ought to end any debate about a perceived tug of war between a pitcher anxious to get back to competition and a team choosing to err on the side of caution. "Twelve months is May 1," Rosenthal said. "But there's no date set. It depends on a guy's work habits, and A.J.'s have been very good." The reintroduction of an effective Burnett to the rotation would improve Florida's starting staff from good to excellent. But it would seem Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs (a young, powerful pitcher who has undergone the same surgery) would be a perfect reference for Burnett, and Wood was no better than 8-7 in first year back after having the operation in April 1999. Wood since has reestablished himself as one of the NL's best pitchers. Burnett was on his way to earning that same sort of reputation when he went 12-9 with a 3.30 ERA in 2002, but hasn't won a game since he shut out San Francisco in August of that season. He woke up with a swollen elbow after that outing, went on the disabled list and made two September relief appearances. In spring training last year, he took himself out of a game with soreness in the elbow and started the season on the DL. He was 0-2 and done by late April. Determined to be a leader again Once last season, Burnett cried when he was watching television and saw his jersey hanging in the Florida dugout while the Marlins were playing Arizona. "They all knew I took the ball when I didn't necessarily have to," Burnett said. He was a team leader back then and vows to be one again. "For a while there," Rosenthal said, "he'd come down to the bullpen and watch the starters throw. A couple of other guys started following him. There was more togetherness. He brings a little laughter to the dugout. "If there was jealousy, that's the human side of anybody. He kept it inside. He never showed it." Burnett is now embarking on a schedule during which he'll do mound work from time to time. He'll increase the length of the sessions as well as the variety and velocity of the pitches as progresses warrants. Beyond that, though, there's no blueprint. The first time he picked up a ball to throw it after surgery, Burnett was startled at how "weird" and "awkward" he felt. Not scared. Startled. "I've never been afraid, but I had no idea where my arm was," he said. "I was just playing catch, but I didn't know what it felt like." What he does know and remembers vividly is what it felt like that day in the Yankee Stadium outfield. "I was thinking, 'Yeah, this is my job, but it's what I always wanted to do,' " Burnett said. "It can't get better than this." He's 27 years old. The hurt is gone. All of it.
February 12, 200422 yr Good article! I actually found myself feeling sorry for AJ in the World Series, but he'll get to play on the big stage this year.
February 12, 200422 yr I kind of thought of this as a blessing in disguise for the Marlins. AJ was already competitive, but now there is almost a chip on his shoulder. He seems geniunely happy for our club and Beckett and Willis - but his competitive nature burns inside to be 'the man' and be better. This is good, because he will raise the bar when he gets back and push others to match him. This is shaping up a lot like the Braves staff did - ultra competitive guys who dont want to lose to anyone. Only, this staff is gnastier and has a mean streak in them. Very interesting to watch and a good article.
February 12, 200422 yr I still think it's amazing that we won a World Series without arguably our best pitcher (or at least the pitcher with the best "stuff").
February 12, 200422 yr Damn thats messed up, when your sitting in the dugout watching your team win the whole thing. It must of been very hard. I cant wait till AJ comes back, he will make our staff better and of course compete next season with Beckett for the Ace spot! I cant wait, AJ and Beckett will be a very good 1-2 punch.
February 12, 200422 yr I may be wrong but Beckett always got more hype as a prospect then AJ, and i know at one time ESPN was calling AJ, Josh and Brad the future rotation to be reckoned with, i thought maybe there was a fourth pitcher they group with those guys, anyone know?
February 13, 200422 yr I thought there was talker of another minor leaguer, cuz dempster was in the Bigs when we traded Arizona for Penny. Then again i could be confused.
February 13, 200422 yr AJ's attitude, an example of being a team player. In time, AJ will be a major factor. Probably in the second half when he will be needed the most. Having team oriented players is what gives the Marlins an edge that makes up for lack of talent in some areas. :hat The champ
February 13, 200422 yr good article, it's good to know he's still hungry and that he wants to get his own ring, that'll be some good motivaton for everyone else
February 14, 200422 yr I would like to see Burnett take his time coming back from this injury and not rush into things. Jack alluded to it in another article and he's right on target. There is no reason to take a chance on a good young talent such as Burnett. Problems that could occur would be a retear of the rotator cuff, or just lingering arm problems which is never good when the player is a pitcher. By taking the extra month or so to rehab he may be able to go the rest of the season without any problems at all. You never know how good he'll be til he is back and performing every 5 days again. Will he be another Kris Benson or will he be another Kerry Wood? Let us hope for the latter.
February 14, 200422 yr AJ had elbow surgery, and before that I am not sure. I know he had another injury but I cant remember. This franchise wont rush him back and take a chance on re-injuring him. Beckett and Burnett > Hudson/Mulder and Zito Beckett and Burnett > Schilling and Pedro Beckett and Burnett > Petite and Clemens Beckett and Burnett > Prior and Wood?
February 14, 200422 yr AJ had elbow surgery, and before that I am not sure. I know he had another injury but I cant remember. This franchise wont rush him back and take a chance on re-injuring him. Beckett and Burnett > Hudson/Mulder and Zito Beckett and Burnett > Schilling and Pedro not sure I can agree there
February 14, 200422 yr Beckett-Burnett could very well be better than Pedro-Schilling. Maybe not this year because AJ isn't 100 % yet. But both can become the elite 1-2 tandem in the game. :hat The champ
February 14, 200422 yr Beckett-Burnett could very well be better than Pedro-Schilling. Maybe not this year because AJ isn't 100 % yet. But both can become the elite 1-2 tandem in the game. :hat The champ no argument here.. but they arent right now
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