PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Greg Brown called it a strike. It wouldn't have mattered where the ceremonial first pitch went, it was special for current players, fans and Russell Martin and AJ Burnett to be back 'home'.
"Walking through the crowd on the way here, you sensed the buzzing," Martin said Friday. "The energy, people are excited for the season. The blackout was a nice addition. I wasn't expecting that. That brings back memories. That Wild Card game in 2013 was incredible. The excitement for the season to start. Getting those vibes again was pretty cool."
"I came here, went on the street and it was a sea of black everywhere," Burnett said. "It's good to be back. I do call this place home. Just from the time I've been here today they've reassured me this is my home."
Burnett and Martin asked by Pirates owner Bob Nutting to be a part of the Home Opener, 10 years removed from the franchise's return to the playoffs. Each quickly said yes adding it was a big part of their careers. Martin only spent two of 14 MLB seasons in Pittsburgh and Burnett three of 17, but it was impactful for both.
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"The clubhouse that we had in Pittsburgh was special," Martin said. "I don't know if it's because a lot of guys came up in the organization and you had that glue-type mentality. Almost more of like a college atmosphere where the guys were close to each other."
"It was pretty special. A city coming together and supporting us. I think back to the memories, they were good memories, all of them."
"It was a team mentality, we were going to win."
"It was perfect," Burnett said. "You bring Russ in and then (Marlon) Byrd, the other guys we added. Everything was perfect. The whole year the clubhouse had a vibe we couldn't be stopped."
"We had 25 pros just doing the right thing and doing their job. There was no selfishness."
Martin has rarely been back to Pittsburgh, busy now raising three girls in Arizona. He's also has become an avid golfer, playing a round Friday morning before catching the ceremonial pitch. Burnett has watched more Pirates, also a father and fan of Bucs starter Mitch Keller.
The current Pirates wouldn't know much about Burnett, except for Mars HS graduate David Bednar. When the former Bucs starter walked out of the dugout during pregame warmups, he saw members of the bullpen wearing t-shirts with the letters 'STFD'. Referring to a situation in August of 2012 when he told the Dodgers Hanley Ramirez to sit the f@$% down after striking him out. Earlier in the game Ramirez mocked him after a home run.
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He said seeing those shirts almost made a tough guy cry.
Just three years older than the Pirates starting pitcher, Burnett asked about missing the game. Does he still think he can play?
"I started playing catch getting ready for this one pitch," Burnett said. "It immediately reminded me why I stopped playing catch. I do miss it, but I don't. I miss the guys, the city, the gorgeous park outside with the view. I don't think you will never not miss the game."
What about for Martin, he recently turned 40?
"You still have ability," Martin said. "We are both still in pretty good shape, but you have to respect the grind of baseball. It's still 162 games, that's where it is tough. I still think I could catch a couple of games, but to catch a whole season. It wouldn't be fun. I wouldn't enjoy it. That's why I stopped. It was getting tougher and tougher to get ready for each game. It was getting less and less fun."
But for one day, to catch one pitch, in a place very special to both. Sign them up.
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