PITTSBURGH — aj burnett was back at PNC Park on Friday night, and the former Pirates starter arrived with a clear sense that the atmosphere around the club has changed. He threw out a ceremonial first pitch ahead of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays and also took part in the launch of the Pirates’ new City Connect uniforms. Burnett said the return felt personal, immediate, and full of energy.
A familiar face, a familiar welcome
Burnett’s visit came after time with the club during spring training, making this another stop in what is becoming a regular return to Pittsburgh. He said he flew in with his sons, A. J. and Ashton, and felt the pull of the ballpark as soon as he walked over from the hotel. “Man, it’s great, ” Burnett said. “Seeing all the guys in the clubhouse and actually walking in the stadium from the hotel, it just brings back everything. ”
He added that the reception never seems to fade. “The greetings from everybody is great. You see them left and right. They don’t leave me alone. It’s awesome so far, ” Burnett said. His appearance drew a loud ovation from fans when he was announced in the stadium, a reminder of how fully Pittsburgh embraced him during his years with the team.
aj burnett and the Pirates’ early edge
Burnett spent three seasons with the Pirates, from 2012-13 and again in 2015, and helped bring winning baseball back to Pittsburgh after a long drought. He also helped launch the new uniforms, even narrating and appearing in the video released when they were first unveiled. Burnett said he likes the look enough that he joked he would have worn them every five days, calling them sharp and saying the black, gold, and red accents stand out.
Before his ceremonial pitch, Burnett even considered whether to roll the ball instead of throwing it, joking that he did not want to bounce it. The delivery wound up going to former batter mate Michael McKenry, but the moment still landed with the crowd. The old connection between Burnett and the ballpark was obvious, and so was the comfort level he still feels in the building.
What the clubhouse sees in him
Manager Don Kelly said Burnett’s presence still matters to the franchise. “It’s great to see him back, ” Kelly said before Friday’s game. “We’ve talked about what he means to Pittsburgh, what he meant to those ’13 and ’15 teams. ” That history has helped frame Burnett’s visits as more than ceremonial; he has remained part of the conversation around the club.
Burnett also spent time around the pitching staff during spring training, which gave him an early look at the current group. He said the vibe inside the clubhouse feels different from recent seasons, and he believes early success can matter. “Anytime you can start off hot, win ball games, it’s only going to help, ” Burnett said. That sentiment carries extra weight with Pittsburgh 12-8 through its first 20 games of 2026, tied for the National League Central lead.
Context around the return
Burnett’s earlier years in Pittsburgh included a 16-10 record with a 3. 51 ERA in his first season and his first career All-Star selection in 2015. His final season in the majors ended with a career-best 3. 18 ERA. The Pirates have not reached the postseason since his last season with the team in 2015.
For Burnett, the return was about more than nostalgia. “I got new life coming here, and a lot of it had to do with the city, ” he said. As the Pirates continue their early push, aj burnett remains one of the clearest reminders of what sustained belief in Pittsburgh can look like.
