Batout – An A.J. Burnett tribute

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1. Sit the **** down!!!

This is a no-brainer to me as it has become the official twitter hashtag for big strikeouts and it started in a game where Burnett honestly didn’t pitch all that well. August 16^th, 2012 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier in the game Hanley Ramirez homered and did his “I see you” thing while rounding the bases, which Burnett apparently didn’t appreciate as he yelled at Ramirez while he was touching home. That could have been the end of it, but Burnett is an emotional man and couldn’t let it go.

During Ramirez’s next at-bat, Burnett struck him out on a curveball in the dirt and while walking back to the dugout, he locked eyes with Ramirez and told him to sit the **** down. This is a family site, so I won’t say what the censored part is, but I am sure you can guess.

Almost instantly STFD became a battle cry for Pirates’ fans and A.J. Burnett. T-shirts were made and it became an internet phenomenon. Especially once Burnett himself was seen wearing the Centerfield Smoke STFD t-shirt. We’re three years removed from this moment, but it still Burnett’s signature moment to me as a Pirate. It showed that the Pirates weren’t going to let a visiting player come in and disrespect them. It solidified Burnett as the spiritual leader of the team and showed that A.J. Burnett is completely badass.

Next: Final Thoughts