CINCINNATI — A.J. Burnett ambled into the Presidential ballroom on the Westin Hotel’s third floor with his two sons in tow and a caramel macchiato in hand. The Pirates All-Stars’ flight from Pittsburgh didn’t land until 4 a.m. Monday, so he was running on three hours of sleep.
“Y’all hop up here,” Burnett told A.J. Jr., 14, and Ashton, 11, pointing at the other All-Stars who brought their children on the podium.
It was for them that Burnett said he was most excited about making his only All-Star roster at the age of 38, in his 17th and final year in the major leagues.