Fight Your Reputation, Not the Double Doors
It’s one thing to be labeled based on your results. It’s another thing to succumb to that label as easily as A.J. Burnett did this weekend. His behavior on Saturday was a clear indication that not only does he pitch with all-or-nothing results, but he also pitches with an all-or-nothing mentality. And the worst part is, he shows no signs of fighting to rid himself of this label. Instead of seeing this weekend as an opportunity to prove he can scratch and claw to keep his team in a game despite a bad start, Burnett let his emotions get the best of him.
This weekend it became increasingly evident that Burnett doesn’t have the focus or desire to pitch in grind-it-out circumstances. It seems that he feels if he doesn’t have a gem going by the second inning, what’s the point? Why even bother? The game is a lost cause. He has no concept of the fact that a game with the Yankees’ offense is truly never over until the 27th out is recorded (kind of shocking considering Burnett is the pie-in-the-face guy). And at age 33, he should know that a game is especially not over when you’re down just 3-0 in the second inning.
At 33, Burnett should also know a few other things. He should know that most good athletes rise to challenges and bear down when things get tough. He should know that it’s every starting pitcher’s job to give his team a chance to win each time he takes the mound. He doesn’t have to dominate in every outing. Sometimes his job is to keep the game close. Sometimes his job is to keep his own offense within striking distance.
Most importantly, it’s a starting pitcher’s job to give effort every single time he’s called on to pitch. This doesn’t just mean physical effort. This means mental effort. This means pitching to the ebbs and flows of the game. If you give up an early lead, like Burnett did on Saturday, suck it up and give your team a chance to come back. Don’t let your mechanics get lazy as a result of lost focus and concentration. And certainly don’t lose control of your emotions.
With Andy Pettitte gone for the next month, Burnett has the opportunity to gain the trust of his teammates. He has the opportunity to show he can be a rock for them. He has the opportunity to at very least take the first step towards shaking the label of being mentally soft. If he doesn’t, he might just pitch himself out of the starting rotation come playoff time.
