Last night A.J. Burnett pitched a spectacular Game 2 of the World Series and led the New York Yankees to a win over the Philadelphia Phillies. When he is able to control his pitches, he has a moving fastball and one of the best curves in baseball. He paid dividends last night for the millions the Yankees began paying him this season.
I remember Burnett when he was a high school athlete. My son, Cameron Gantz played against Burnett in baseball and basketball throughout their high school years. Cameron attended Arkansas Baptist High School (ABHS) in Little Rock, Arkansas. Burnett attended rival Central Arkansas Christian (CAC). Both schools had (and still have) strong athletic programs. State championship trophies rest in the display cases at both schools.
In basketball I remember that Cameron had shaved his head prior to the big game at CAC. As the starters met at midcourt for tip-off, Burnett greeted Cameron by rubbing his head.
We had several memorable experiences on the baseball diamond. Cameron was a 4 year starting shortstop for ABHS. I was the assistant baseball coach. 4 years meant that we had several encounters with our conference rival. The 2 schools played at least 12 games against each other in those 4 years.
In the first meeting, Cameron was ejected from his only game. He had bumped into the catcher while scoring a late go ahead run. The catcher turned and threw his mitt at Cameron. The umpire ejected both players.
I had my only ejection the next year by the same ump…for arguing a bad call at second base. He was a little sensitive. So both father and son have been ejected one time each in their athletic lives…both by the same ump.
In Cameron’s senior season, he hit his lone homerun against CAC.
What I most remember about Burnett was the final game of Cameron’s high school career and my final game as a high school coach. We were in the playoffs about an hour east of Little Rock (I believe it was around Lone Oak, Arkansas). The baseball field was just off of Interstate 40 in what appeared to be a cow pasture.
On the mound for CAC was Burnett. Cameron was playing shortstop and batting second in the order. By this time, Burnett was maturing physically and his pitches had some mustard on them.
I don’t think we got a hit off of Burnett that game. I think we only put a few balls in play. It was the most dominating performance I had seen on the high school ranks. Oh, by the way, he also hit a home run to give CAC the lead.
Cameron and I knew that he would be good. Cameron went on to play middle infield at Ouachita Baptist University. Burnett was drafted by the New York Mets and has now put his stamp on the World Series.
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That’s hilarious…I never knew you got tossed from a game at ABSS. You’re the last guy I would’ve thought would’ve been tossed.
Chris, it was the same guy that tossed both Cameron and me. He was a CAC homer. I was tossed questioning him when he called Kevin Miller out at second on what should have been a stolen base. I questioned his objectivity. I didn’t say anything too loudly. In fact, Coach Hickerson thought that he was the one who had been tossed.
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