Pierzynski Returns to Chicago (as Cardinals Catcher)

July 26, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

A.J. Pierzynski is back to playing baseball in Chicago. The former White Sox catcher will not be going back to the Sox (which might disappoint some who remember him as part of the 2005 World Series champions). Pierzynski also will not be playing for the Cubs (which might not disappoint any Cubs fans who recall his antics — including a fight with then-Cubs catcher Michael Barrett during a crosstown contest). Pierzyski, whom Boston recently released, will be joining the St. Louis Cardinals (which might disappoint Cards fans who didn’t want him and still don’t — until he delivers a game-winning hit). He is in the starting lineup for Saturday’s game. As if Cubs fans didn’t have enough reasons to root against St. Louis.

Video below of model Tracy McGregor.

* By agreeing with the Cardinals on a contract, Pierzynski had to leave Cooperstown, N.Y., where he had been to attend Sunday’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony at which former Sox slugger Frank Thomas will be enshrined along with former Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux, former Sox manager and Cubs player (though not much of a player) Tony La Russa, former Atlanta manager Bobby Cox and former Braves pitcher Tom Glavine and former Yankees manager Joe Torre. Pierzynski’s greatest accomplishment this season might be traveling from Cooperstown to Chicago so quickly.

* Speaking of Cooperstown, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf was hospitalized overnight there after becoming lightheaded. Must have been the news about Pierzynski, no?

* For Pierzynski, he goes from a last-place team in Boston to a team challening for the National League Central title (or at least a wild-card berth). He provides something of an insurance policy for the Cardinals in case All-Star Yadier Molina is unable to return this season from thumb surgery. Molina is expected to sideline him until at least September. A reminder to Cubs fans: The season can last past September if you qualify for the playoffs.

* Speaking of the Cubs, they did beat the Cards 7-6 before the largest crowd of the season at Wrigley Field. Just guessing that the folks running and/or owning the Cubs were more thrilled with the attendance regardless of the outcome.

* Speaking of the Cubs victory, the winning runs came in the seventh after Pat Brickhouse sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and encouraged the Cubs to “get some runs.” Perhaps the widow of legendary broadcaster Jack Brickhouse should continue as the seventh-inning singer. Well, at least until the Cubs lose a home game. Hey! Hey!

* Speaking of Brickhouse, the White Sox (a team for whom he also was a broadcaster) defeated the Minnesota Twins 9-5, as Sox slugger Jose Abreu hit his major league-leading 30th home run. He is second in the American League in runs batted in. If the former Cuban star does not win rookie of the year, Fidel Castro might demand a recount.

* Totally non-baseball-related: In the aftermath of the NFL suspending Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice two games for domestic violence, there have been some really incredible comments in support of Rice. Some of those comments have been directed at female media members who (along with many male media members) decried the leniency of the NFL’s action. Those incredible comments — incredible in their sexist, misogynistic venom — indicate an ignorance at best and a vileness at worst that is jaw-dropping. And another reason why the NFL missed an opportunity to take a stand against domestic violence and educate its fandom — as well as others — that hitting a woman is socially unacceptable. Not to mention legally unacceptable (unless maybe you’re an athlete performing at an elite level). And abuse — whether physical or otherwise — also is unacceptable.

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