A. J. Pierzynski
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Anthony John "A.J." Pierzynski [peer-ZIN-skee] (born December 30, 1976 in Bridgehampton, New York) is a Major League Baseball catcher who has played for the Chicago White Sox since 2005. Pierzynski formerly played with the Minnesota Twins (1998-2003) and San Francisco Giants (2004).
Pierzynski is well-known for several high-profile incidents on the baseball field. Incidents with players and the media have earned Pierzynski the reputation of being among the more disliked players in the league. However, his forthrightness and strong desire to win have won the hearts of many White Sox fans. Pierzynski had the longest streak of consecutive error-less games among active Major League catchers (150). A.J. made the 2002 American League All-Star Team as a reserve catcher while playing for the Minnesota Twins.
On Sunday, July 2, 2006 it was announced on the ESPN All-Star Selection Show that A.J. Pierzynski would be one of the five American League players in the All-Star Final Vote. Soon afterwards the Chicago White Sox organization began an election campaign using the slogan "Punch A.J." Fans could vote on MLB.com or by using their mobile phones. When voting concluded, A.J. received 3.6 million votes, the most votes in the American League, subsequently sending him to his second All-Star appearance.
Pierzynski and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
On October 12, 2005, Pierzynski was involved in one of the most controversial endings in baseball playoff history in Game Two of the 2005 American League Championship Series versus the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. With the score tied with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar apparently struck out Pierzynski to end the inning. When Josh Paul, the Angels catcher, rolled the ball to the mound and left the infield, Pierzynski ran to first base in case the umpire ruled that the Angels catcher did not field the ball cleanly (Dropped third strike), meaning he would have to either tag Pierzynski or throw to the first baseman to record the out. Umpire Doug Eddings indeed ruled the catcher did not catch the ball (although his signals were the source of much confusion — see Eddings's page for more information), and Pierzynski was awarded first. A pinch-runner, Pablo Ozuna, replaced Pierzynski, who stole second base. Third baseman Joe Crede delivered a base hit three pitches later to give the White Sox the win. The White Sox then swept the next three games to reach the World Series. In the last game Pierzynski and Escobar were involved in another bizarre play with two out, when Escobar tried to tag Pierzynski out with an empty glove. Pierzynski was initially called out, then awarded the base, and Crede again hit the winning run home.Escobar and Pierzynski met again on April 29, 2006, and Escobar hit Pierzynski with the third pitch he threw at him. Escobar had said before the game that he was intending to hit Pierzynski with a pitch during the game. While Pierzynski didn't score, the White Sox won the game 2-1 giving Escobar the loss.
Pierzynski and the Chicago Cubs
On May 20, 2006 Pierzynski was in an altercation with Cubs catcher Michael Barrett after a collision at home plate. Pierzynski was the runner on third base when Brian Anderson hit a fly ball to left field. Pierzynski tagged from third in an attempt to score. Barrett was set up at home plate to receive left fielder Matt Murton's throw. As Pierzynski reached home plate, he collided with Barrett. The collision knocked over Barrett back several feet behind home plate. Murton's throw struck A.J. in the back moments before the collision. After the collision, Pierzynski enthusiastically slapped home plate. As Barrett got to his feet, the two came together again. A.J.moved to retrieve his helmet which had been dislodged in the collision and had landed behind the plate. Barrett grabbed Pierzynski with both arms and struck Pierzynski just below the left jaw with his right fist. Both benches cleared. Seconds later, Brian Anderson and Cubs right fielder John Mabry were involved in another confrontation. The four were ejected. It was later revealed by one of the umpires that Michael Barrett was guilty of obstruction, blocking the plate without possession of the ball.
Following the game at a press conference, Barrett, Pierzynski, and Cubs Manager Dusty Baker all commented on the play. There was some disagreement about why Barrett struck Pierzynski. Barrett indicated that Pierzynski stepped toward him at the end of play, and he just reacted badly. Pierzynski indicated that Barrett may have struck him because Barrett did not have the ball yet when the collision occurred. In baseball it is a legal play for a runner to collide with the catcher at home plate when the catcher is attempting to block home plate in order to put a tag on the runner. Pierzynski was fined a reported $2,000 for the incident which he has appealed. Barrett was issued a 10-game suspension along with an undisclosed fine. White Sox fielder Brian Anderson and third base coach Joey Cora were also fined and suspended for the incident.
Both Barrett and Pierzynski later came to good terms during batting practice when the Cubs and White Sox met again at Wrigley Field on June 30, 2006.
Other MLB incidents
In a 2004 article that he wrote for the San Francisco Gate newspaper, beat writer Bruce Jenkins claimed that Pierzynski had kneed Giants trainer Stan Conte in the groin during a spring training game. According to Jenkins, Pierzynski was hit on the groin, and Conte went over to see if he was alright. The article claimed that Pierzynski then kneed Conte after Conte inquired about the extent of the injury. Jenkins wrote the article after Pierzynski had left the Giants organization, so some have questioned the accuracy of the report. No other reporters have written about the incident, although Jenkins claimed that they were all conducting interviews in the Giants' clubhouse at the time. Neither Pierzynski nor Conte have commented about the allegations.Former Giants pitcher Brett Tomko fiercely criticized Pierzynski for his brash demeanor. Tomko originally made the comments anonymously, but later confessed to making the comments after drawing fierce criticism for them. Tomko later claimed that the comments came out the wrong way. After hearing of the source of the comments, Pierzysnki was quoted as saying that he would give one hundred dollars to any Sox teammate who hit a home run off of Tomko. Pierzynski followed up on his promise by placing a one hundred dollar bill in outfielder Joe Borchard's locker after he hit a home run off of Tomko on March 7, 2005.
A May 2006 issue of Sports Illustrated featured a survey taken among 470 baseball players about what player they would most like to see get beaned. Pierzynski received eighteen percent of the vote, which was higher than any other player. Fourty-two percent of those surveyed in the AL Central Division (which the White Sox play in) voted for Pierzynski. It should be noted, however, that the majority of White Sox players voted for Pierzynski as a team joke. This undoubtably greatly manipulated the survey.
In a June 14, 2006 game versus the Texas Rangers, Rangers pitcher Vicente Padilla hit Pierzynski twice in Pierzynski's first two at-bats, both times with fastballs on the first pitch of the count. Both benches were warned after the incident, but no players were punished. Pierzynski received large bruises from the pitches, and had to sit out the next two Sox games because of them.
High school career
Pierzynski attended Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida, where he won All-State honors in baseball. New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon was one of Pierzynski's high school teammates.Professional wrestling appearances
On December 8, 2005, A.J. Pierzynski appeared on TNA iMPACT!, a professional wrestling television program aired by the professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Accompanied by White Sox strength trainer Dale Torborg, Pierzynski presented TNA wrestlers A.J. Styles, Chris Sabin and Sonjay Dutt with memorabilia from the 2005 World Series. The ceremony was, however, interrupted by wrestler Simon Diamond and his "Diamonds in the Rough" faction. Diamond, who was himself once offered a contract by the San Diego Padres, mocked Pierzynski's .256 batting average, telling him that he needed a designated hitter. Diamond then slapped Torborg, leading to a brawl. As a result of the incident, Pierzynski made his professional wrestling managerial debut at TNA Turning Point 2005 on December 11, 2005, accompanying Torborg, Sabin and Dutt to ringside for their match against the Diamonds in the Rough. Pierzynski's team won the bout following interference from New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, who handed Pierzynski a home plate with which to hit Diamond.Recently, Pierzynski was given a TNA X-Division Championship Replica Belt by TNA, and he announced that the belt would be the (unofficial) award for the White Sox Player of the Game.
External links
- [A.J. Pierzynski] at ESPN.com
- [Baseball-Reference.com] - career statistics and analysis
- [AJ Pierzynksi fan site]
- [Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers]
- [A. J. Pierzynski] at The Internet Movie Database
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