BRADENTON, Fla. -- Batman returns. And he's bringing Russell Martin with him.
Retired Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Martin during the Pirates home opener on April 7.
Burnett told reporters that he had been waiting for that call from Bob Nutting, who extended the invite, to throw out the first pitch. In fact, the phone call started with Nutting saying to Burnett, "AJ, I know the answer to this, but I’m going to ask it anyway."
"He reached out and I’m glad he did, man, because I’ve been itching to get back to that city," Burnett told traveling reporters over the phone.
Martin was excited too, but he does have one lingering concern.
"It’s gonna be fun … unless he throws me a curveball," Martin joked over the phone. "It’s probably gonna be in the dirt, I’m gonna have to block it, and I’m not ready for that."
"We’re not going to do that, but I’m day five of my throwing program if you’re curious," Burnett said. "I ain’t picked up a ball in five years. I promise you that ball is going to get to home plate."
Gotham, it's finally happening. So pumped and honored to throw out the first pitch on opening day in Pittsburgh! And who better to throw it to than my buddy, one of the best in the game, and a huge part of that playoff run @russellmartin55 ! LFG! #STFD #BUCN #LETSGOBUCS
— AJ Burnett (@wudeydo34) February 28, 2023
Burnett pitched three years with the Pirates from 2012-2013 and 2015, attaining a near cult status and the "Batman" nickname for his performance and leadership for a Pirate team that snapped a two-decade long losing season streak and become contenders. Martin was a key member for the 2013 and 2014 teams as well, becoming one of the best catchers in the game.
It will be the first time Burnett has returned to PNC Park to be recognized since his retirement after the 2015 season. Martin appeared as a member of the Dodgers in two games in 2019, his final big-league season, but hasn't gotten the post-retirement treatment yet either.
And it's no coincidence this reunion is happening now, on the 10th anniversary of the infamous 2013 Wild Card win over the Reds where Martin hit the iconic "Cue-To" home run.
"Honestly, I don’t know what to expect," Martin said. "But I’ll always remember that Johnny Cueto, the fans chanting his name and him dropping the ball, the next pitch is over the fence. People are going crazy. I feel like I’m floating around the bases. It’s one of those moments where kind of like pinch yourselves afterwards like, ‘Did this really happen?’ It almost seems like it was scripted, right? I’ll never forget that wild card game. Just the energy, the city, the people, the stadium. It was completely electric."
That 2013 run ultimately fell short of the World Series, but that playoff win and ending two decades of losing makes that team one of the most special in recent franchise history.
"My first thought is we should have went further," Burnett said. "My first thought is I wish we could have won more and took it deeper into the series. Like Russ said, we did great things. Those kids did great things. That’s what I’m more proud of. When I got there in ’12, we had a bunch of winners on the team. Very young, they knew how to play. They were a little bit unsure of themselves, and to see what they became in ’13 and how they became men and just each grew into themselves, it was just fun to watch those kids and watch them get to experience that, because they worked so hard for that and got so close the year before I got there. Obviously, ’12 — we could’ve went there in ’12. Just watching what they did and then they brought the right pieces in with Russ and Grilled Cheese [Jason Grilli] and Birdman [Marlon Byrd].
"I was just proud, man. I was just proud to be there and I knew I was able to enjoy it with these guys because they deserved it. They’ve been working hard. It was awesome. I think about it all the time. But all I think about is that I wanted to win more, dang it! Can’t go back and change anything. We did something special there, and believe me, we all know it."
And of course, they won't be the only Pirates making their returns to PNC Park. That will also be Andrew McCutchen's much-anticipated return.
"It reminded me of when I got to go back," Burnett said. "Good for him, first of all. Anytime you get to go back to where you’re comfortable, where people enjoy you and enjoy watching you, it’s only going to make you be a better player and be in better spirits and just do better things. I look forward to Cutch having a super year. He’s going to be where he belongs at home in his house in a city that he loves and that loves him. Couldn’t be happier for him."
"Cutch was the guy," Martin said. "He was the guy in Pittsburgh. Amazing talent. A true professional, on the baseball field and also in the clubhouse, even in the community. I’m sure he’s going to get as warm of a welcome back that he can possibly have, and he deserves it. I was really happy when I saw on Instagram. I saw that he had his Pittsburgh hat on. He was heading back to the Burgh. For him, I feel like it’s one of those things, a player of his caliber, it’s always nice for him to get to return home.
"I don’t know if it’s going to be a farewell tour. I don’t know if it’s his last year or what his plans are. I just know that he looks good in the black and gold."
The Pirates will play the White Sox on April 7, with first pitch scheduled for 4:12 p.m.
