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“Batman” returns to throw out first pitch at Friday’s Pirates game
TL;DR
A.J. Burnett, the former All-Star pitcher, will throw the ceremonial first pitch at PNC Park on Friday before the Pittsburgh Pirates face the Tampa Bay Rays. Burnett is a fan favorite despite his brief tenure with the team.
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 07: Former Pirates pitcher AJ Burnett throws the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Friday, April 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Batman will be back in the building at PNC Park and where he belongs.
A fan favorite despite only playing three years in Pittsburgh, no one captivated the fan base quite like this former All-Star pitcher.
A.J. Burnett will throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Friday night before the Pirates host the Tampa Bay Rays for the first of a three-game series.
Burnett voiced the Pirates new City Connect debut video and donned the Pirates new alternate.
The Pirates will debut their City Connect jerseys during Friday’s game at PNC Park and wear them throughout the season on Friday home games.
“Batman” signed with the Pirates prior to the 2012 season and won 16 games his first year. He was a member of the 2013 Pirates club that won 94 games and clinched a playoff bid for the first time since 1992.
Burnett finished 10-11 with a 3.30 ERA over 39 starts and struck out 209 batters in 191 innings.
He left Pittsburgh and pitched in Philadelphia during the 2014 season before returning home for 2015.
The Pirates finished 98-64 as Burnett totaled a 3.18 ERA over 26 starts, the lowest in his entire 17-year MLB career with five different clubs.
Burnett earned his only All-Star appearance as a 38-year-old crafty right hander that owned a 122 ERA+ and 143 strikeouts in 164 innings of work.
Burnett tweeted his own hype video with the caption, “See Yinz this weekend,” to fire up the fan base.
Chris Mueller of The PM Team on 93.7 The Fan is also in line to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
The Pirates host the Rays this Friday at 6:40 p.m.
Q&A
When is A.J. Burnett throwing the first pitch for the Pirates?
A.J. Burnett will throw the ceremonial first pitch on Friday, April 7, 2023.
Which teams are playing when A.J. Burnett throws the first pitch?
The Pittsburgh Pirates will host the Tampa Bay Rays during the game where A.J. Burnett throws the first pitch.
Why is A.J. Burnett considered a fan favorite in Pittsburgh?
A.J. Burnett is regarded as a fan favorite due to his impactful performance and charisma during his three years with the Pirates.
