I realize that he’s just playing to win, but A.J. Pierzynski just has this style of hoodwinking umpires and gaming the system that annoys me to no end.
Consider the 2008 ALDS when the Sox played the Rays. I have distinct memories of Pierzynski getting himself a free base on a fake “obstructing the runner” call that he drew by elbowing the fielder and making it look like he was the one who was being jostled. The Sox still ended up losing the series, but the point remains that A.J. is willing to do what he has to for a win.
Fast forward to yesterday when Ricky Romero of the Blue Jays was throwing the game of his life. Into the 8th inning he’s got himself a no-hitter going. Things are looking great for him until he throws a ball in the dirt near Pierzynski’s feet. The ball misses A.J., but he doesn’t miss a beat and pretends that it went bouncing off his shin. Replays show the ball didn’t even come close, but the umpires, like usual, are fooled by his game and Pierzynski takes first. Not one batter later, Ricky Romero serves up a two-run blast and his flirtation with history ends. I’m not saying that A.J. caused it, but you can’t eliminate the possibility that things might have gone differently otherwise.
You’ve got to respect a man who plays hard to win, but at the end of the day I look at his stupid bleach blond hair, remember his countless cheats, and I think to myself, I hate A.J. Pierzynski.
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