WHY WE WANT TO LOVE AJ... AGAIN

When I first saw AJ Burnett, he was a young pitcher with the Florida Marlins. While the Yankees never saw him in the World Series in 2003, we all knew what he was capable of. He was developing into a dominant pitcher who was a part of an amazing pitching staff consisting of Josh Beckett, Brad Penny,Dontrelle Willis and he. I remember the staff was quite good and let's face it, it was when Beckett was dominant. Now, Beckett's just another pitcher, but I digress. My point is, AJ had a support system even back then. Even though AJ ended up being sidelined, his confidence was high because he is a sponge and learned from his Marlins pitching staff collectively, they were like 4 young buddies all in the same boat. That helped a young AJ's head. Slowly but surely, he could develop into a winner.

Soon after the Marlins, the Blue Jays signed him to a big contract and he then moved on and learned everything he could from his buddy Roy Halladay. The sponge again and if AJ has a support system, it keeps his head straight, you following me? AJ needs a mentor. So, when CC signed with the Yankees in the winter of 2008, it only made sense that AJ would come to the Bronx too, the money was big, having CC there was not only great, but he was approachable too, like someone to guide AJ, along with Dave Eiland. AJ had a 13 win season in 2009 and AJ won his second ring.

Then something changed. AJ, when rattled easily, falls apart. Yes, after a loss, he says all the right things, but you knew his mind was racing. What was going on?

2010 by far was horrible for AJ Burnett, and no one knew why. When the black eye surfaced, many suggested a private matter. For Yankee fans, it was almost a relief. "Maybe that's the reason for his bad performances." While many fans didn't have an official answer, we tried hinging it on that. We just wanted AJ right again. The good news in 2009 was he won 10 games through the struggles. The bad news, he lost 15. But past is past, turn the page.

So, it's 2011, Allan James Burnett is in the Yankees rotation again. Ladies and Gentlemen, Burnett's not finished. With a winter off, he was able to clear his head, start his off-season workouts, try and fix whatever was wrong personally and under pitching coach Larry Rothschild, a baseball veteran, you will see big things in 2011.

For one thing, the pressures off AJ. He's not a thought right now. Many fans have given up on him and if he pitches well, they'll come back. Secondly, he can't pitch worse than last year.

Does AJ still have what it takes? Yes. Can he dominate again? Yes. Will he? Yes. AJ won 18 games in 2008 with the Blue Jays. Can he do it again? I think so. Look, when you look at his numbers, AJ in his career has never had a truly dominant season. 18-10 with the Jays was it. Career, he's 110-100. That my friends is not exactly phenomenal. But, it doesn't mean AJ is over and it doesn't mean he CAN'T do it. With the Yankees offense, a little mentoring, a little confidence, AJ is capable of winning 16 or even 18 games in New York. But it's that recipe that will make it happen, because when you have a pitcher like AJ, he needs to be handled with care.

Hopefully, things click for AJ in 2011. There are so many of us pulling for him, me included. I'm the first to say that I'm a fan, I feel bad for him because I know he's not a bad pitcher. But I also know the Yankees and Yankee fans don't have patience and will turn on him at the drop of a hat. Let's just hope AJ doesn't give us any reason to drop the hat this year.

By the way, You can also read the following as we are going to analyze all the Yankee players until opening day:
WHY WE LOVE SWISH
WHY WE LOVE GRANDY
WHY WE LOVE TEX

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