[新聞] 關於A.J.

看板WhiteSox作者huskie (梅菲斯特)時間19年前 (2005/10/13 12:23)推噓3(3推 0噓 3→)

留言6則, 3人參與討論串1/1

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/sports/other_sports/12782447.htm Posted on Fri, Sep. 30, 2005 Pierzynski gets revenge on critics By Sarah Trotto The Journal Gazette CHICAGO – Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski got his wish and in the process solidified his bad-guy reputation. In beating the Detroit Tigers 4-2 Thursday, Chicago clinched the American League Central Division title and gave former Wizard Pierzynski some revenge. Last week, irked at the media’s negative portrayal of the team’s late-season slump, in which a 15-game lead shrank to 1 1/2 over the Indians, Pierzynski unloaded. “I hope we screw all of you guys,” Pierzynski told a half dozen reporters. “You guys are all writing that doom and gloom. “No matter what happens, I’m still proud of this team,” he insisted. “We’ re going to get in (the playoffs) and do something there.” He was right. The White Sox secured a playoff spot Thursday as Pierzynski went 1 for 3 with a run scored. He caught Freddy Garcia’s 14th victory and handled a bullpen that threw two scoreless innings. This is how Pierzynski wants to be defined – as a player who plays hard, wants to win and loves to compete. This is different from how he’s been portrayed in the media, he said. Perhaps the most notorious of the negative stories about Pierzynski was an Oakland Tribune report that anonymously quoted San Francisco Giants players who criticized Pierzynski’s attitude and work ethic while he was with the team in 2004. Pierzynski later reportedly offered $100 to a Sox teammate who hit a home run off Brett Tomko, who was identified as one of the Giants pitchers who criticized him. The Giants released Pierzynski after they signed free agent Mike Matheny after the 2004 season. “There’s always two sides to every story,” said Pierzynski, 28. “The one people want to hear is the one that’ll sell more papers.” White Sox general manager Ken Williams heard what was said about Pierzynski. He did research and talked to Pierzynski. “Basically, he said he wanted to come play every day, and win and play hard, ” Williams said. “He was going to joke around a little bit and have a little bit of fun and every now and then he might get on the opposition’s nerves just because of some of the stuff he does. ‘OK, whatever, come play hard. Follow the rules, get along with your teammates. Above all, take care of what we think is a pretty good pitching staff.’?” Needless to say, Williams is happy with his decision. Pierzynski has handled one of the AL’s top pitching staffs, which includes All-Stars Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland. “He fits in here very well,” Williams said. “He should probably stay here. This is a good place for him.” Pierzynski, who spent six seasons with the Minnesota Twins and played for the Wizards as a Twins prospect in 1995-96, was thankful for the warm reception. “He trusted me and he believed in me that some of the stuff wasn’t true and that’s why I respect Kenny, because he made his own decision and he didn’t just listen to what everyone else was saying,” Pierzynski said. But the White Sox didn’t love Pierzynski before 2005. He developed that bad reputation against them. “I know we didn’t like him a whole bunch when we played against him in Minnesota, (him) stepping on bats and throwing elbows and stuff like that, but that’s him,” White Sox center fielder Aaron Rowand said. “He’s a guy you love to have when he’s on your team, but probably not a guy you enjoy playing against.” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Pierzynski’s behavior was one major question heading into this season. “Is Pierzynski (going to be) a pain in the butt?” Guillen said. “Not with me because I (would) tell him to shut up real quick.” “He’s been great with the club,” Guillen added. Buehrle said Pierzynski should receive “a lot” of the credit for the pitching staff’s success. Entering Thursday, the White Sox were second in the AL with a 3.66 ERA. “A bunch of the guys don’t shake him off,” Buehrle said. “Everyone goes out there and has faith in him and whatever (call) he puts down, they go with it.” Offensively, the 6-foot-3 left-handed batter has a career-high 18 home runs and a .256 average this season. Asked if his success this season will help clean up his image, he said: “I don’t know. People are going to write what they write. People keep bringing it up, so it’s never going to go away.” Pierzynski admitted he has changed slightly from last season. “I’ve tried to be more open with some guys and communicate a little bit more, just talking to the pitchers, getting them to feel more comfortable with me and getting them to work with me, but other than that, I pretty much do everything the same,” he said. -- 星愛在歸在天還人土 -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 12.208.5.4