Billy Burns Watch: Still An Exciting Enigma

One strike and ... one ball? - Lachlan Cunningham/Getty ImagesFirst of all, I think there is a misconception that I am anti-Burns when nothing could be farther from the truth. I love Burns, both as a fan and also as a "reporter" (I interviewed Burns at spring training in 2014 and he could not have been nicer), and I think he has provided one of the feel-goodiest of the feel-good stories this season has had to offer anyone whose surname is not Brooks.

I have always championed Burns as likely being a solid "4th outfielder," even back when the A's acquired him and there was much skepticism around whether he had big league potential at all. The question is whether he will emerge as a legitimate…