***AJ Pierzynski Appreciation Thread***

[Foulke You]

Originally Posted by hawkjt

Good luck to AJ down in Texas. We will always have 2005!

AJ's blast into the bleachers in Game 1 of the ALDS off of Matt Clement is one of my favorite moments in AJ's Sox career. I got to be at this game after AJ's 1st inning blast, the place came unglued:

[Medford Bobby]

All time favourite Baseball Digest cover:

[DickAllen72]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

That being said I do think there was something going on behind the scenes with A.J. I do know that one high level member of the front office lost "all respect" for him (direct quote) after the incident in Minnesota when Young threw that forearm to A.J.'s face and he simply turned and walked away.

Lip

I have no respect for whomever that "high level member of the front office" is. He lost all respect for AJ because AJ kept his composure and didn't get himself thrown out/suspended after taking a cheap shot from a thug?

Just like the Barrett incident. AJ bowled him over in a clean play because he was blocking the plate. Barrett then sucker punched AJ with a punch right to the jaw - a punch that didn't even phase AJ. AJ kept his composure and didn't retaliate, yet he got suspended and fined for being a model citizen in the incident.

I don't have much respect for the Sox organization in general anyway. They've been pretty bush league and classless at times, and it's a dysfunctional organization at best.

I hope AJ wins a ring with Texas next year because the Sox certainly don't appear to have a chance at this point anyway.

[Brian26]

Originally Posted by TaylorStSox

It's not about the money. They don't want him. I don't know what's so hard to understand.

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

For what it's worth (and remember you have to consider the source) yesterday on Chicago Tribune Live! Kaplan was saying that he was being told that Robin was questioning A.J. last year on his pitch selection and why he was calling certain things at certain times.

He then went on to talk about how catchers who have some defensive issues want to call nothing but fastballs.

Bob Foltman then mentioned that was the reason Olivo was shipped out, that all he wanted was fastballs to have a better chance to throw out basestealers.

Again I have no idea how accurate this is, but if it is, that could explain some things.

Lip

I think the writing on the wall was there as soon as the Sox re-signed Peavy.

Watching AJ and Peavy try to co-exist was excrutiating at times. I remember I posted something after a noticeably disturbing game:

http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com/v...6&postcount=54

Originally Posted by Brian26

Watched the game like it was a heavyweight fight until the 7th when Young cleared the bases with the triple, at which point I then just fastforwarded through to the end. I knew that was the game winner.

I'm annoyed at AJ and Peavy. It's excruciating to watch these guys try to work with each other. I love both of them as Sox players, but they act like tools to each other to the point where it's uncomfortable. Peavy's shaking AJ signs off all night. AJ's flinging the ball back to Peavy with attitude every time there's a 2-0 count. Peavy can't see AJ's signs, so AJ's being a dick and pulling his fingers up really high in an animated way. They can't hook up on anything. AJ's making faces into the dugout, Peavy's barking at him. It's miracle AJ made it into the 7th. Hopefully Flowers is back and can work Peavy's remaining regular season games, because the AJ/Peavy battery is brutal. Peavy seems like he has a mental roadblock when AJ's behind the plate.

[BainesHOF]

It was time for the Sox and AJ to part ways. His attitude behind the plate, especially in the second half of the season, was terrible and unacceptable at times. It wasn't just with Peavy either. I think it's telling that the team let AJ sign a one-year contract elsewhere.

[AnkleSox]

Originally Posted by QueerGirrl

Just because.................



I'll miss you AJ, and you'll always be a White Sox to me. Good luck and hopefully you'll snag another ring before you're done.

I was at this game, and as a very pessimistic Chicago fan across all sports, this is when I knew the White Sox would win the Series.

[Tragg]

Originally Posted by BainesHOF

It wasn't just with Peavy either. I think it's telling that the team let AJ sign a one-year contract elsewhere.

It definitely suggests that the Sox didn't want him back. I'm hoping it means that they have other plans for that money.

[wassagstdu]

The count is 0-1 on Hahn, and he has the bat on his shoulder.

[SoxFan1979]

Always sad to see a fan favorite go. Thanks for the memories AJ!!!

I doubt we will boo AJ when he visits.

[RockJock07]

Originally Posted by wassagstdu

The count is 0-1 on Hahn, and he has the bat on his shoulder.

Huh? I think its a little early to say that. He did just sign a contact hitting 3B to bluster a weak position of sorts the last couple of seasons.

[white sox bill]

Let the Tyler Flowers era begin
Back to Ron Karkovice type numbers, hell lets see if Mark Johnson could make a cameo for ****s and giggles.

Guaranteed AJ will burn us for at least one game next yr when we play Texas.

Goodbye AJ thanks for the memories, you were my fav. Hopefully we will see you back in a Sox uni soon

[TaylorStSox]

Originally Posted by white sox bill

Let the Tyler Flowers era begin
Back to Ron Karkovice type numbers, hell lets see if Mark Johnson could make a cameo for ****s and giggles.

Guaranteed AJ will burn us for at least one game next yr when we play Texas.

Goodbye AJ thanks for the memories, you were my fav. Hopefully we will see you back in a Sox uni soon

You know Ron Karkovice put up a bigger WAR for the Sox than AJ?

I'm calling it. AJ's the most overrated Sox player in history.

[WLL1855]

Originally Posted by TaylorStSox

You know Ron Karkovice put up a bigger WAR for the Sox than AJ?

I'm calling it. AJ's the most overrated Sox player in history.

If he's the choice for that title then we must not have done that badly in the history of the franchise.

I'm not claiming he's the best catcher ever to play for the team but give the guy some due. He did pretty good got us. Sure as hell beats the revolving door we had at the position before he got here.

[TaylorStSox]

Originally Posted by WLL1855

If he's the choice for that title then we must not have done that badly in the history of the franchise.

I'm not claiming he's the best catcher ever to play for the team but give the guy some due. He did pretty good got us. Sure as hell beats the revolving door we had at the position before he got here.

He's been a nice player. One of the things that I've always enjoyed about Sox fans is they tend to be good, knowledgeable baseball fans. These veiled shots at Flowers because people are upset are disappointing. AJ was a good hitter, an awful defender and never an All Star.

[JB98]

Originally Posted by white sox bill

Let the Tyler Flowers era begin
Back to Ron Karkovice type numbers, hell lets see if Mark Johnson could make a cameo for ****s and giggles.

Guaranteed AJ will burn us for at least one game next yr when we play Texas.

Goodbye AJ thanks for the memories, you were my fav. Hopefully we will see you back in a Sox uni soon

That could probably be arranged. Johnson was recently named Kane County Cougars manager. He'll be in the area this summer.