AJ Burnett, surrounded by media dudes (who are always really short, or perhaps are crouching down), answered JP's comments very carefully :
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On pitching through pain (ie is he a man or a sucky baby?):
"I understand where he's coming from, there's a difference between pitching with a little pain or pitching hurt. I can pitch through a little bit of pain, pitching hurt is a different story. "
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On whether this is going make AJ want to opt out (ie is JP the biggest asshole ever or what?)
"Absolutely not, (Ricciardi) is one of the straightforward, most honest people I've met in the game. I'm happy to be here and I'm hoping that I'll stay here, without question ..." You know, AJ, some people use honesty as an excuse to be an asshole. Just saying.
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On trying to win (ie how he feels in his heart):
"I'm not going to go out here and try to pitch and help the team win when I'm not capable of doing that. I don't feel right in my heart doing that."
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On knowing his own arm (ie shut up, JP. You don't know pitching):
"The bottom line is I'm not healthy. I know my own arm better than anybody does. I came out and was throwing 88-91 miles per hour last time as opposed to 97, 98. If that's not visible enough, I don't know what is."
Why doesn't everyone just talk ?? Have a chat about frustrations and heart and pitching through pain and whether brutal honesty is really assholeness. Have some beers and then hug it out. Privately. Silly boys.
Also, maybe this should fire AJ up. Get mad, dude, and prove all the haters wrong.