JockBio: A.J. Burnett Facts

A.J.’s game-worn hat and a baseball from his no-hitter are on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
A.J. allowed every San Diego Padres starting player to reach base during his no-hitter. He threw only five breaking balls during the game.
Because of A.J.’s dismissal from the Marlins in 2005 after his public outburst, he finished one inning short of receiving a $50,000 bonus for pitching 210 innings during the season. He was also two strikeouts shy of the second 200-K season of his career.
Josh Johnson got the call-up to make A.J.’s final start of the 2005 season. Johnson (who also has had injury problems) later became the ace of the Florida staff.
A.J. is second on the Marlins’ all-time win list behind Dontrelle Willis with 49. He ranks first for the franchise in complete games with nine, shutouts with eight and strikeouts with 753.
A.J. has had his share of freaky injuries. He has ruptured a ligament in his right thumb while taking fielding practice. He broke his foot when he fell into a gutter while bowling. Later he broke the same bone in the other foot while running on a treadmill. He also burned his pitching hand while ironing his jeans—and then tossed a gem with his hand filled with blisters.
A.J. and his wife named their first son A.J., Allan James II. He calls him “Deuce.”
One of A.J.'s many tattoos is of Bruce Lee. It's located on his tricep.

Dontrelle Willis, 2004 Ultra

Bruce Lee, 1973 poster