A.J. Burnett: Top 6 Lowlights of His Career

A.J. Burnett's career has been riddled with trials and tribulations. His reputation as the talented, but maligned pitcher has followed him everywhere he goes.

Burnett will have a chance to change that reputation in Pittsburgh. The lack of pressure and different team role could have a positive effect on the veteran right-hander.

Injuries, inconsistency and negative press are not three factors any player wants associated with their legacy. Burnett is connected to all three and hopes to change that perspective in the Steel City.

Before Burnett can create great moments in Pittsburgh, it is time for us to take a look at some of his lowest moment's as a major league pitcher.

World Series Injury

Every player wants to be there for their team when their team needs them the most.

A.J. Burnett missed the Florida Marlins 2003 World Series championship run. He was recovering from Tommy John surgery after making just four starts that season.

The Marlins were fine. They won the World Series despite lacking Burnett's services. However, Burnett missed a golden opportunity to prove himself on the biggest stage in baseball.

Burnett's reputation as a head case would have been alleviated with a solid postseason performance. Leading the small-market Marlins to a title would have garnered Burnett all sorts of attention.

Instead, Burnett watched from the sidelines as his team marched to victory.

Black Eye

A.J. Burnett sported a mysterious black eye against the Baltimore Orioles in 2010.

The cause of his black eye was never revealed, but a discolored shiner was certainly going to cause media hubbub.

The Yankees' front office did not offer any explanation. Manager Joe Girardi and Burnett were tight-lipped as well.

A black eye is a bizarre circumstance and reason for attention. Burnett was fine a few days before and that made the situation even more odd.

Burnett's eye has come full circle in a way. His surgically repaired orbital, more than likely, has some discoloration.

But this emblazoned eye has an explanation.

Arm Surgery

A.J. Burnett has been banged up throughout his career, but his worst injury was in 2003. Burnett was having elbow problems, finally leading to Tommy John surgery.

Burnett was out until June of 2004. He lost to the New York Mets.

He has always had lights out stuff, but lacked the other parts necessary to take his game to the next level. Injuries have certainly not helped Burnett reach his peak on a major league mound.

Tommy John surgery is a poisonous term to baseball minds. It means the victim is out for an extended period and may not be the same once he returns.

Burnett returned and was fine, but it affected his career nonetheless.

Self-Inflicted Wounds

Pittsburgh Pirate fans probably assume that Burnett would not have bunted a ball off his face had he landed anywhere else. Surely, the Pirates are the only team with that kind of luck.

Burnett will miss two or three months after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured orbital.

The Pirates needed Burnett to go through bunting drills because he is new to the National League. The Pirates did not need Burnett to inadvertently injure himself and put a major dent in their opening day pitching rotation. 

Burnett needs to be healthy in order for the Pirate rotation to hold down the fort this season. This is not a good start, but hopefully his luck will turn for the Pirates' sake.

Run out of Florida

A.J. Burnett enjoyed almost six years with the Florida Marlins before the franchise asked Burnett to leave the team.

The Marlins lost 5-3 to the Braves and Burnett took exception to manager Jack McKeon's ways, his team's effort and the organization in general.

Throwing teammates and coaches under the bus is never a good thing. It shows red flags across the board. Losing a game is one thing, but refusing to take responsibility for your part is a totally different issue.

Pittsburgh Pirate fans hope Burnett has matured. This was over five years ago, but you never know how a veteran pitcher will react to a potentially disheartening situation.

Traded for Nothing

Relax, Pirate fans. Landing in Pittsburgh itself is not necessarily a negative situation. The Pirates are on the upswing and Burnett could be a solid ingredient to success.

But going to Pittsburgh in exchange for a sack of cash and two marginal prospects is troubling for Burnett.

Burnett has had a solid career, but his hefty contract over the next two years was an albatross to the Yankees luxury tax projections for the coming years. That left Burnett on the outside looking in in New York.

Being traded is one thing, but being given away is another.

Luckily, Burnett will get a chance for one last gasp in a very low-pressure situation.