As Promised, a rant on AJ Burnett

In my last post, I left no doubt that I have a whole bunch of animosity left toward Mr. Burnett.  Here is why...The Jays took a chance when they signed AJ Burnett in 2006 due to his history of injury problems.  He missed a majority of his first two season with the Jays, posting similar numbers.  In 2006, Burnett finished 10-8 with a 3.98 ERA with only 135 innings logged.  2007 was not much better as he once again finished 10-8 with an ERA of 3.75 in 165 innings.    When the Jays signed Burnett to his 5-year, $55 million dollar deal, they included an opt-out after the third season.  Well, AJ has his career year in his third season, posting career bests in wins, games started, innings pitched and strikeouts, and of course, opts-out of his contract.  AJ's time in Toronto was a time of maturity, as he gained invaluable experience from pitching next to Roy Halladay.  He grew from a hard thrower into a pitcher.  But like a mercenary, at first chance to gain more money, AJ took it and ran.  I have no respect for athletes who care only about money and nothing else.  He signed a 5-year, $ 82.5 million dollar contract with the New York Yankees, essentially leaving Toronto for about five dollars million more.  AJ screwed the Jays out off $22 million dollars, (his first two seasons) and screwed them again by joining a division rival.At his press conference, when introduced to the Yankee faithful, AJ Burnett was quoted as saying, "this is a dream come true to play for the Yankees."  C'mon AJ, at least be honest with everyone.  This is no dream, you just decided to play for the team that gave you the most amount of money.  I loved every second of the 5-1 victory over the Yankees and AJ Burnett, and I wish I could have been there to boo him on and off the field.  Burnett was a perfect case of an athlete wanting so much while giving so little in return, and the 43 000 people at the Rogers Centre recognized it.  I will never wish injury or harm on anyone, but I do hope AJ never repeats his performance from last year, so everyone can recognize the kind of money hungry child-albeit with a fantastic arm- that AJ Burnett really is.Back to the Jays, by defeating the Yankees and winning this series, they will pass their first real test of the season.  There is a slight possibility that this Jays team is for real and I really hope it is.  There have been critics that, prior to the Yankees game, had said that the Jays have had a favourable schedule, which really means that they had not played the Red Sox and Yankees yet.  Except for Seattle, the Jays have played every team in the American League outside of their division.  I don't believe that to be a favourable schedule, but whatever the case, they must find a way to win against the Yankees.  It will be difficult as they face two incredibly tough lefties in Petitte and Sabathia, but the Jays have been finding ways to scratch out victories all season.  Jays send Scott Richmond (4-1, 3.21 ERA) to the mound tonight in game two of this three game set against New York.