The A.J. Burnett that first took the mound tonight was not the 38-year-old veteran of 17 seasons making the 430th and final regular-season start of his career.
It was A.J. Jr., Burnett’s 14-year-old son, who with his 11-year-old brother, Ashton, threw out the first pitch.
Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker crouched at the plate to catch them. The four of them posed for a picture, and then it was the elder Burnett’s turn.
The fans behind the Pirates’ dugout stood, waiting for him to emerge. One young fan, bundled in a stocking cap against the cold, windy night, positioned himself right above the dugout steps and waved a Batman flag.