This off-season, the New York Yankees‘ hopes of adding an additional pitcher fell through.
True, pickings were slim, but with the seemingly impending retirement of Andy Pettitte, it didn’t make life any easier in the Bronx.
The Yankees will turn to their starting three of CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and AJ Burnett. In 2010, Sabathia and Hughes were solid, but Burnett was inconsistent and the team needs his talents in order for the team to stay competitive in 2011.
Burnett knows how important his role will be and GM Brian Cashman paid Burnett a visit to make sure he was fully aware of the situation.
MLB’s Bombers Beat has confirmed that Burnett has built an indoor pitching facility in an old farmhouse at his home in Maryland, and new Yankee pitching coach Larry Rothschild is planning to spend about a week there at the start of New Year.
That is great news, but Burnett is a competitor, who has the talent and skills to be an ace. When his curveball is on, some say it is the best and most unhittable in all of baseball—as Yankee fans have witnessed countless times.
Burnett has to realize that last season is now history. If Burnett can be self-assured and remain level-headed when difficulty arises—whether a wild pitch or a home-run—he can be as dominant and illustrious as any.
As the great Joe Paterno once said:
“Besides pride, loyalty, discipline, heart, and mind, confidence is the key to all the locks.”
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