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A.J. Pierzynski

Chicago White Sox — No. 12
Catcher
Born: December 30, 1976 (1976-12-30) (age 30)
Bats: Left	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
September 9, 1998 for the Minnesota Twins
Selected MLB statistics (through July 3, 2007)
Batting average	.285
Runs batted in	416
Home runs	79
Teams
Minnesota Twins (1998-2003) San Francisco Giants (2004) Chicago White Sox (2005-present)

Anthony John "A.J." Pierzynski [peer-ZIN-skee] (born December 30, 1976) is an American 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 was also a wrestler for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 455 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The position of the catcher Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in cricket. ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... In baseball statistics, a run batted in (RBI) is given to a batter for each run scored as the result of a batters plate appearance. ... Mark McGwire swinging for the fences. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 6, 14, 29, 34, 42 Name Minnesota Twins (1961–present) Washington Nationals/Senators (1901-1960) Other nicknames The Twinkies Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 1982-present Metropolitan Stadium (1961-1981) Griffith Stadium (1903-1960... This year in baseball 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 Events January-March January 5 - Don Sutton, a 324-game winner is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his fifth try. ... The following are the events of the year 2003 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... The following are the baseball events of the year 2004 throughout the world. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2005 throughout the world. ... is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... The position of the catcher Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in cricket. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2005 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 6, 14, 29, 34, 42 Name Minnesota Twins (1961–present) Washington Nationals/Senators (1901-1960) Other nicknames The Twinkies Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 1982-present Metropolitan Stadium (1961-1981) Griffith Stadium (1903-1960... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... Wrestling can be: Sport wrestling Professional wrestling Another term for grappling This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry Jarrett in May 2002. ...

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.citation Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 6, 14, 29, 34, 42 Name Minnesota Twins (1961–present) Washington Nationals/Senators (1901-1960) Other nicknames The Twinkies Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 1982-present Metropolitan Stadium (1961-1981) Griffith Stadium (1903-1960...

Biography

Anthony John Pierzynski was born December 30, 1976 in Bridgehampton, New York.^[1] 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. He graduated high school in 1994 and also signed a letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Tennessee.^[2] is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bridgehampton is a census-designated place located in Suffolk County, New York. ... Dr. Phillips High School is a high school located in Orlando, Florida. ... Nickname: Location in Orange County and the state of Florida. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The University of Tennessee (UT), sometimes called the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT Knoxville or UTK), is the flagship institution of the statewide land-grant University of Tennessee public university system. ...

Major League career

Pierzynski was drafted by the Minnesota Twins on June 2, 1994, out of high school.^[3] He spent four years playing in the Twins organization before being called up to the Major League team. A.J. Pierzynski made his Major League Baseball debut on September 9, 1998 for the Minnesota Twins, he went on to appear in six more games that season, he batted ten times and collected three base hits and a RBI. Pierzynski spent the next five seasons, through the 2003 season, with Minnesota, though he was not a regular starter until 2001. From 1998-2000 Pierzynski appeared in just 49 games for the Twins. In 2003 Pierzynski reached a .312 batting average, a career high that still stands.^[4] After the 2003 season the Twins traded Pierzynski to the San Francisco Giants for Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonser . He spent one season in San Francisco before being signed as a free agent by the Chicago White Sox on January 6, 2005.^[3] Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 6, 14, 29, 34, 42 Name Minnesota Twins (1961–present) Washington Nationals/Senators (1901-1960) Other nicknames The Twinkies Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 1982-present Metropolitan Stadium (1961-1981) Griffith Stadium (1903-1960... is the 153rd day of the year (154th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... Joseph Michael Nathan (born November 22, 1974 in Houston, Texas) is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Minnesota Twins (since 2004). ... Francisco Casillas Liriano (born October 26, 1983 in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic) is a left handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins and he wears jersey number 47. ... Boof Bonser (born John Paul Bonser) was born on October 14, 1981 in St. ... In North American professional sports, particularly baseball, football, and basketball, a free agent is a team player whose contract with a team has expired, and the player is able to sign a contract with another team. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... ESPN, formerly an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... American League The American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. ... This article is under construction. ... American League The American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. ...

Pierzynski and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Pierzynski was involved in a controversial play that occurred on October 12, 2005 in Game Two of the 2005 American League Championship Series versus the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. With the score tied and two out in the bottom of the ninth, with two strikes, Pierzynski swung at a low pitch from Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar and missed, for strike three. Josh Paul, the Angels catcher, rolled the ball to the mound and left the infield. Pierzynski realized strike three had been called, but he had not been called out and ran to first base in case the umpire had ruled that the Angels catcher had not legally caught the strike three pitch (see Uncaught third strike rule[1]). Home Plate Umpire Doug Eddings indeed ruled that the ball hit the ground and then went into the catcher's glove,^[5] so the pitch was uncaught and Pierzynski was safe at first. A pinch-runner, Pablo Ozuna, replaced Pierzynski and stole second base. Third baseman Joe Crede delivered a base hit three pitches later, scoring Ozuna for the winning run. The 2005 American League Championship Series (ALCS), the second round of the 2005 American League playoffs, matched the Central Division champion Chicago White Sox against the Western Division champion Los Angeles Angels. ... Major league affiliations American League (1961–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 11, 26, 29, 30, 42, 50 Name Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005–present) Anaheim Angels (1997-2004) California Angels (1965-1996) Los Angeles Angels (1961-1965) Other nicknames The Halos, Angelitos (Spanish), Serafines (Spanish... Kelvim Escobar [ess-coe-BAR] (born April 11, 1976 in La Guaira, Venezuela) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004-present). ... Josh Paul (born May 19, 1975 in Evanston, Illinois) is a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. ... In baseball, an uncaught third strike (also incorrectly known as a dropped third strike) occurs when the catcher fails to cleanly catch a pitch which is the third strike. ... Doug Eddings Douglas Eddings (born September 14, 1968 in Las Cruces, New Mexico) is an umpire in Major League Baseball. ... A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. ... A Pablo Ozuna autographed baseball card. ... The position of the third baseman Third base redirects here. ... Joseph Antonio Crede (born April 26, 1978 in Jefferson City, Missouri) is an American Major League Baseball player who is currently the starting third baseman for the Chicago White Sox. ...

Controversies

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 criticism for them. Tomko later said 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. Brett Daniel Tomko (born April 7, 1973) is a pitcher for Major League Baseballs Los Angeles Dodgers, who previously played for the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, St. ... Mark McGwire swinging for the fences. ... This article or section needs to be wikified. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. Forty-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.^{[citation needed]} This undoubtedly greatly manipulated the survey. The first issue of Sports Illustrated, August 16, 1954, showing Milwaukee Braves star Eddie Mathews at bat in Milwaukee County Stadium. ...

In 2006, versus the Chicago Cubs, Pierzynski was involved in an altercation with Chicago Cubs catcher, Michael Barrett. Pierzynski plowed into Barrett who was blocking home plate. After the two came to their feet, the play resulted in Barrett punching Pierzynski in the jaw. The incident has been referred to as the "Crosstown Smackdown". Pierzynski was then voted into the All-Star game due to the "Punch A.J." campaign.

On May 28, 2007, in a game versus the Minnesota Twins, Pierzynski twice ran down the first base line with his feet on the inside of the base, possibly nipping Twins first baseman Justin Morneau with his spikes. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was furious with the umpires, which resulted in a long tirade of yelling. However, he was not ejected. Gardenhire claimed that first base umpire Greg Gibson gave the Twins bench a throat slashing motion to quiet them down. Pierzynski denied any attempt to step on Morneau.^[6] Justin Ernest George Morneau (born on May 15, 1981 in New Westminster, British Columbia) is a Major League Baseball player. ... Ronald Ron Clyde Gardenhire (born October 24, 1957 in Butzbach Hesse, West Germany) is a manager in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins in the American League. ... Gregory Allan Gibson (born on October 2, 1968 in Ironton, OH) is a Major League Baseball umpire who has worked in both major leagues since 2000. ...

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. is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... TNA Impact! (official typeset TNA iMPACT!) is a professional wrestling television program produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as its main television program. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Television series redirects here. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry Jarrett in May 2002. ... Dale Torborg (born October 24, 1971) is an American baseball trainer and former professional wrestler. ... Allen Lloyd Jones (born June 2, 1977), better known by his ring name The Phenomenal One A.J. Styles (also written AJ Styles), is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Retesh Bhalla (born April 7, 1982 in Washington, D.C.), better known by his stage name, Sonjay Dutt, is an American professional wrestler, currently working on the independent circuit and for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. ... The 2005 World Series, the 101st playing of Major League Baseballs championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros 4 games to 0 in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Diamonds in the Rough are a professional wrestling stable in Total Nonstop Action, led by the eponymous Simon Diamond and consisting primarily of lower- to mid-card wrestlers. ... In professional wrestling, a stable is a group of wrestlers within a promotion who have a common element -- friendships, either real or storyline, a manager who manages all of them, or a common storyline, which puts them together as a unit (recent examples include Evolution, La Résistance, The Cabinet... Major league affiliations National League (1969–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 6, 19, 31, 35, 42 Name San Diego Padres (1969–present) Other nicknames Pads, Friars Ballpark PETCO Park (2004–present) Qualcomm Stadium (1969-2003) a. ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In professional wrestling, a manager is a character who is paired with a wrestler. ... Turning Point is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event held annually by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling during the month of December. ... December 11 is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as... Austin Kearns, an outfielder, catches a fly ball. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Home plate is the final base in baseball and related games that a player must touch to score. ...

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. The TNA X Division Championship belt (2007—) The Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship contested for by wrestlers in TNAs X Division. ...

On October 10, 2006, Pierzynski appeared on ESPN2's Cold Pizza, wearing the X-Division Championship belt, and challenged WWE Champion John Cena, who was also a guest that morning, to a Title vs. Title steel cage match whenever Cena wanted to have it. October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years). ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... ESPN2 debuted on October 1, 1993, as a sister station of ESPN. Nicknamed the deuce, ESPN2 was to be branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross, snowboarding, and BMX racing. ... Cold Pizza is a television morning sports talk show that airs weekday mornings on ESPN2 and is also the networks flagship program. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship is a professional wrestling world championship. ... John Felix Anthony Cena, Jr. ... Chris Jericho as WWF Undisputed Champion, holding the WWF Championship and World Championship belts Championship unification or championship consolidation are terms which mean the act of combining two or more separate championships into a single title. ... Kurt Angle and John Cena in a cage match, showing the current WWE Steel Cage. ...

On the January 18th, 2007 edition of TNA iMPACT!, Pierzynski and Torborg attacked Lance Hoyt, helping James Storm win, who was also aided by Miss Tennessee. [2] Lance Hoyt (born February 27, 1977 [1] in Hearne, Texas) is an American professional wrestler, currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in Orlando, Florida. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...

References

May 18 is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 156th day of the year (157th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 149th day of the year (150th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• A.J. Pierzynski at ESPN.com
• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers
• A.J. Pierzynski at The Internet Movie Database