Monday, August 28, 2006

A. J. Pierzinski: Public Enemy No. 1

It seems that no matter where Sox catcher A.J. Pierzinski goes, crowds boo him. But he doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, he relishes the role of the “evil one.”

During the weekend series against the Minnesota Twins, Pierzinski found a way to aggravate his former teammates, probably more than usual considering he spent three years in a Twins uniform.

First, the Sox catcher flipped his bat in the air toward the Twins dugout after homering Friday night. On Saturday after Jermaine Dye homered, he shouted a few words toward the Twins dugout. Your guess is as good as mine what he said. In any case, by Sunday, Pierzinski might as well have had a bulls-eye on his back because Twins pitcher Carlos Silva drilled him in the behind. Pierzinski didn't even flinch. He knew it was coming. Calmly he walked to first base.

His next time up to the plate, A.J. got his revenge and hit a two-run homerun that put the Sox ahead, 4-1. The Sox went on to win the game.

Minnesota Star Tribune writer Jim Souhan described Pierzinski best. "A.J. is the arsonist running with the burnt match in his hand claiming the smoldering building must have been struck by lightning."

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