A. J. Burnett

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Allan James “A.J.” Burnett is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher who played 17 seasons from 1999 to 2015. Born January 3, 1977, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Burnett threw right-handed and spent time with the Florida Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia Phillies. His career totals include a 164–157 win–loss record, a 3.99 ERA, and 2,513 strikeouts.

Key moments and achievements
- No-hitter: Burnett threw a complete-game no-hitter on May 12, 2001, for the Marlins against the San Diego Padres.
- 2002: Led the NL with five complete-game shutouts and threw the fastest fastball among starters at about 94.9 mph.
- Tommy John surgery: In 2003, his season was cut short by Tommy John surgery, missing most of the year but returning in 2004.
- 2008: Led the American League with 231 strikeouts while with the Blue Jays, finishing 18–10 with a strong season.
- 2009 World Series: Burnett signed with the New York Yankees and helped them win the World Series, earning a championship ring.
- Immaculate inning: On June 20, 2009, he pitched an immaculate inning, striking out three batters on nine pitches.
- 2011: Known for celebrating walk-off wins with a “pie in the face” gag during his time with the Yankees.

Team-by-team overview
- Florida Marlins (1999–2005): Debuted in 1999 after being traded from the Mets (who drafted him in 1995) as part of a deal to help build the Marlins’ roster. In 2001 he pitched the no-hitter; in 2002 he posted strong numbers before missing most of 2003 due to elbow surgery. 2005 was his last season in Miami.
- Toronto Blue Jays (2006–2008): Struggled with injuries early in 2006 but finished strong (10–8, 3.98 ERA). In 2008 he had a career year with 231 strikeouts, leading the AL, and an 18–10 record. He opted out after the season and became a free agent.
- New York Yankees (2009–2011): Signed a five-year deal in 2008. In 2009 he reached the World Series and earned his first postseason win on the way to a championship. He had high strikeout totals in 2010–2011 but dealt with some inconsistent seasons.
- Pittsburgh Pirates (2012–2013, 2015): Traded to the Pirates in 2012, where he helped turn around the rotation. He started the season well, even winning eight straight decisions at one point in 2012, and threw a complete-game one-hitter at Wrigley Field that year. In 2013 he posted solid strikeout numbers, finishing with 209 strikeouts. After a 2014 stint with the Phillies, he returned to the Pirates for his final season in 2015, earning another All-Star selection that year.
- Philadelphia Phillies (2014): Spent a single season with Philadelphia, posting an 8–18 record with a 4.59 ERA and dealing with injury and health issues.

Pitches and style
Burnett threw a four-seam fastball and sinker around 91–94 mph, a knuckle curve, and a changeup used against left-handed hitters. He was known for his high strikeout totals, but also for control and fielding challenges at times. Over his career he issued a notable number of walks and hit batters, but he remained a competitive and durable pitcher for many teams.

Personal notes
Burnett grew up in Arkansas and attended Central Arkansas Christian School. He has tattoos and has been open about his passionate, emotional approach to the game. He and his wife, Karen, have children, and he has stayed connected with baseball and his community after retiring. In 2020, he helped Pittsburgh Clothing Company release a Stay The F*** Home shirt to support social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, a nod to his well-known on-field phrase from 2012.

A.J. Burnett finished his career as a durable, hard-throwing starter who achieved big moments—most notably a no-hitter, a World Series title, and a late-career All-Star selection—while playing for several of the game’s most storied franchises.