Please indulge me this week because I’d like to weave a cloth of sports and spirit for you to tailor into a garment. There is a portion of the Holy Bible that discusses having a good life, leaving that scenario for what may be perceived as a better life, suffering through a bankrupt condition and finally returning back to the good life. No more is this pointed out than the Holy book of Luke: 15th chapter, the 1st – 32nd verses.
The scripture explains that: a son basically asked for his share of his father’s estate that was to be divided between him and his older sibling. The young man sets off, goes “buck wild” spends all his inheritance. After he becomes broke, everyone around him becomes broke as well, no more bling, bling, no more entourage. Now he becomes hungry and longs to go back home, where love and food are plentiful. His father’s servants are eating better than him. He goes back home and is welcomed with open arms by everyone glad to see him back, disregarding where he has been.
Let’s take the case of Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett. After spending 2012 and 2013 with the Pirates, Burnett decided to take his talents to the Philadelphia Phillies, supposedly, the “city of brotherly love” in 2014. Burnett’s record with Pittsburgh from 2012-2013 was 26-21. In 2014 with Philadelphia he was 8-18. Last year the Phillies finished 73-89 in the National League Eastern Division, a full 23 games out of 1st place. The Pirates on the other hand finished the 2014 season, 88-74, just two games out of 1st in the NL Central Division.
Even though it may have been a tad more lucrative for A.J. Burnett to ply his trade in the hometown of “Rocky Balboa” in 2014, he may have realized early on during the season that the Phillies, unlike Monsieur Balboa were not going to end up at years end, standing at center ring with their arms being raised high in the air in victory. In addition to that scenario, when Burnett returned to PNC Park and took to the mound to face his former teammates, a fitting tribute to him was displayed on the video board, prompting a deserved ovation from Pirate fans to whom he graciously tipped his cap when he stepped onto the pitcher’s mound.
That sort of welcome home emotion from the fans doesn’t happen every day. Don’t believe me? Ask Barry Bonds or Aramis Ramirez.
This year the hecklers and boos aren’t as bad for Ramirez, well maybe because this is his final year and he won’t be around to torture the Pirates any longer. Just the mere mention of the name Barry Bonds in Pittsburgh and one might unceremoniously be invited to smoke a pipe….bomb. But hey let’s get back on point.
A.J. Burnett found out that although the grass may have been “greener” on the other side no one bothered to inform him that the grass hadn’t been mowed for a while and hidden among the tall unkempt landscape, there was poison ivy, stones, branches and other unseen objects and hazards that always end up as a negative for those who are charged with mowing the lawn and for those that “inherit” or “purchase” the property.
As it was in scripture which mirrors life, sometimes it is okay to come back to a place where you are welcomed and appreciated after you experience a few bumps and bruises out on the road. There is something more to A.J Burnett than meets the eye. He is pitching like a man that may be more anointed than appointed every fifth day to take the ball and “git er done.” He appears to have tapped into a source that only he is connected to. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
A.J. Burnett……Welcome back.
Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412.583.6741
He is also a contributing columnist for urbanmediatoday.com
Follow him on Twitter@ultrascribe
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