A.J. Pierzynski
- Minnesota Twins (1998-2003)
- San Francisco Giants (2004)
- Chicago White Sox (2005 - 2012)
- Texas Rangers (2013 - )
- 2 × All-Star (2002, 2006)
- World Series (2005)
Anthony John " A. J. " Pierzynski (born 30 December 1976) is an American Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the Texas Rangers. Prior Pierzynski played with the Minnesota Twins (1998-2003), the San Francisco Giants (2004), the Chicago White Sox ( 2005-2012).
Biography
Minnesota Twins
Pierzynski made his 1994 high school graduation, and signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the University of Tennessee. At the same time he was selected in 1993 by the Minnesota Twins in the third round of the MLB Draft. He signed with the Twins and played for them in various farm teams in the Minor Leagues.
On 9 September 1998 at the age of 22, he made his debut in the major leagues. However, he graduated from 1998 to 2002 only 49 games for the Twins. He was elected as a reserve catcher in the All Star team from the American League in 2002.
In the last game of the AL Division Series against the Oakland Athletics, he hit a decisive two -run homer in the last inning for the 5-4 win the game and thus of the entire Division Series.
2003 Pierzynski had a batting average ( batting average) of .312, the best in his career.
San Francisco Giants
2004 Pierzynski played for the San Francisco Giants. Here he had a batting average of .272 with 11 home runs and 77 RBI 's.
Chicago White Sox
On January 6, 2005 Pierzynski signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox.
Pierzynski made on 12 October 2005 for a controversial play in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In a game score at 1-1 at the end of 9 innings Pierzynski missed in two "off" and a count of 2 strikes the union, which would mean a third strike and the end of the innings. The Catcher of the Angels rolled the ball back to the mound and left the field. Pierzynski realized that the umpire indeed recognized the 3rd Strike, but did not give him "Off". Thereupon Pierzynski went to first base and was given " safe ". The umpire ruled that the ball Catching the Catchers had touched the ground before and thus the rule of Uncaught Third Strike ( German: Not caught third strike) was used. Pablo Ozuna replaced Pierzynski as a base runner. This stole second base and was able to achieve three pitches later by a double by Joe Crede the crucial point to win the game.
2006 was Pierzynski one of five players who have been nominated for the public election of the All-Star teams in the American League. Then organized the Chicago White Sox a campaign with the slogan " Punch AJ " ( German: "Beat AJ "). Pierzynski then received 3.6 million votes, the most that was ever a player in the American League in this election.
The " Punch AJ " campaign was inspired by an incident that occurred on 20 May 2006 between Pierzynski and the Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett and symptomatic of the ongoing rivalry between the two Chicago baseball clubs, the Cubs and the White Sox, is. After a flyout Pierzynski tried to score from third base from. But on home plate, he collided with Barrett. After Barret stood up, he hit Pierzynski in the face. After a brawl between several players Pierzynski, Barrett, White Sox outfielder Brian Anderson and Cubs first baseman John Mabry were banned from the area.
Pierzynski was Catcher in Mark Buehrle 's no-hitter on April 18, 2007 and at Philip Humber Perfect Game on April 21, 2012 against the Seattle Mariners.
Pierzynski extended his contract after the 2010 season for another 2 years.
2012 Pierzynski hit five home runs in five consecutive games. He is the sixth player in the White Sox have managed this.
On June 13, 2012 Pierzynski was rated as the most hated player in Major League Baseball.