Burkett Gives Insight to Spring Training

February 12, 2013, 4:01 pm

It seemed like yesterday when the San Francisco Giants were crowned World Series Champions last October after sweeping the Detroit Tigers. Baseball is back as pitchers and catchers are starting to report to spring training. Former MLB pitcher and 2-time all-star John Burkett joined John Canzano to give a pitchers perspective on spring training.

Players sometimes spend many years in the minors before making it to the MLB level and some obviously never make it. John Burkett spent seven long years in the minors and spoke with John Canzano about making it to the majors.

"I was very locked in and focused and I defintely wanted to make an impression so I could stick around. I remember facing Juan Samuel first hitter that's like the thing that comes into my mind and I just remember just being, adrenaline and just pissed and that was the mindset I just took out on the mound and it was a big turning point for me the change of attitude." Burkett recalls as he stepped foot into Dodger stadium.

Teachers, family members, coaches or other players more times than not play a pivotal role in helping shape a players career. Getting the advice of a player that has sustained a lengthy and successful career is very important. Burkett spoke with John about adversity for young players trying to make it in baseball.

"You have to believe in yourself and what scouts see is potential, so when they see someone throw 85 mph, 87 mph you're going to have a long road ahead of you because they just don't see the potential to be Roger Clemens or Doc Gooden back in the day, they just don't see that, Strasburg I mean you see him and it's just incredible stuff. But you can make a career for yourself and the way to do it is you have to have control, you have to have command."

Burkett spoke with John about his former manager Dusty Baker and the role he played in John's career in Major League Baseball.

Click on the link below to listen to the interview with John Burkett.