Major League Jerk

Answer:  A.J. Pierzynski

Other than Carlos Zambrano and Kevin Youkilis, there is no player in Major League Baseball hate more than A.J. Pierzynski.  I don’t really like Michael Barrett either, but I’m sure glad he punched A.J.  I don’t think I’m alone either when it comes to hating this clown (sorry Clown).

In a 2006 S.I. Players Poll that asked “Which major leaguer would you most like to see get beaned?”, 18% of players answered with A.J. Pierzynski.  It was the #1 answer given by the players.  Keep in mind, this was in May of 2006, just 7 months after the very controversial Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS.  A.J. swung and missed strike 3 with2 outs in the bottom of the Ninth inning.  He started walking towards the dugout, and when the Angels walked off the field andthe catcher had thrown the ball back to the mound, douchebag Pierzynski took off for first base.  He reached base andsaid the ball hit the ground before the catcher caught it, giving him the opportunity to take first if he can.  Since everyone else had thought the catcher caught the pitch, they were off the field.  Anyways, the play stood and the White Sox went on to win the game in the ninth to even up the series.  They eventually won the ALCS and the World Series that year.  And the baseball world started to realize how much of a little bitch this guy really is.

Fast forward to 2007.  In another SI Players Poll asking “Who is the least friendly player in baseball?”, A.J. Pierzynski received 13% of the votes.  He came in third behind only Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent, 2 undebatable assholes.  These 2 guys aren’t bad to be on a list with, if you’re talking on the field accomplishments.  But not in this case.  Other notables on this unfriendly players list are A-Rod, Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson and Larry Wayne Jones Jr.

Now fast forward again to this past Sunday.  The Rays were going for a sweep over the White Sox in Chicago.  Pierzynski scored the winning run in the 10th inning after he flopped on the basepath.  Watch the video.  This flop would’ve have made soccer players and foreign basketball players proud.  A.J. was caught in a rundown between second and third with one out.  Willie Aybar got the ball at third, and ran him back towards second like he was supposed.  But when they had A.J. trapped, Aybar flipped it to a man at second who tagged A.J. who appeared to haven fallen down.  But in the process, that m-effer A.J. had lunged to his left and grazed Aybar and lobbied the ump for interference.  The ump, Doug Eddings, who is the same ump who was behind home plate in that 2005 ALCS incident ruled in favor of Pierzynski.  He was allowed to take third base and ended up scoring the winning run.  The Rays players were understandably upset after the game.  When asked about the outcome of the game, SS Jason Bartlett said

“Everybody in the clubhouse right now is pretty ticked off.  We played a great series. We should be happy, but right now we’re not.”

My Mom always told me that cheaters never win when I was younger.  But she doesn’t always know what she is talking about.  Fuck A.J. Pierzynski and fuck cheaters.  Speaking of cheaters, let’s look at some other games around MLB where people aren’t cheating:

Angels 5, Athletics 1:  John Lackey pitched all 9 innings for the Angels and was 2 outs away from a shutout.  I gotta wonder if Oakland had scored 2, would K-Rod have came in for his 95th save on the year.  Jack Cust hit a solo home run in the 9th for Oakland.  Torii Hunter had 3 hits on the night and knocked in 1 runner.  The Angels have padded their lead to 16 games over Texas.

Cubs 14, Pirates 9:  Does this team ever lose?  Seriously, I hate this shit.  The Brewers keep winning but are not making up any ground.  Their ace, Carlos Zambrano sucked up the house (4 1/3 innings, 6 ER), and they still fucking win.  I was excited as can be when they were down 8-7 in the 6th and 7th.  Then I check the score in the 8th inning, and they throw up 7 runs and cruise to victory.  Please lose.  Just once.  Come on.

Gonzo’s Game of the Night:  Phillies 8, Mets 7 (13):  Both teams combined for 33 hits in this game.  The Mets were up 7-0 at one point in this game and slowly let the lead slip away and blew their 22nd save of the year.  Pedro Martinez gave up 5 runs in 5 innings.  Tatis hit a 3 run home run in the third to make the score 6-0.  Damion Easley also homered for the Mets while Rollins and Howard homered for the Phillies.  Things are looking sunny in Philadelphia right now after the Phils gained sole possession of first place with the win.

Spencer’s Game of the Night:  Cleveland 10, Detroit 4:  Spencer suggested that maybe I should recap this game.  OR ELSE!!!  Cliff Lee won his AL leading 19th game.  He pitched 7 2/3 innings and gave up 2 runs.  He has done nothing to hurt his lock on the Cy Young.  Jamey Carroll and Kelly Shoppach, two guys withgirl’s names, got the offense started withback to back home runs in the third inning.  Ben Fransisco also hit 2 home runs for the Indians.  Cleveland overtook Detroit for third place in the AL Central.  Considering the injuries Cleveland has suffered all year, this run of 9 games in a row should be considered a moral victory.

Cheating Cocksmoke’s Game of the Night:  White Sox 8, Orioles 3:  Gavin Floyd outdueled the Orioles for 8 innings.  He gave up 2 runs on 4 hits with 1 walk.  The Orioles seemed to lose every time I see their score.  Nick Swisher had a home run then left the game after following a ball off his leg.  Orlando Cabrera was 4-5 with 2 RBI.  Chicago is now 2.0 games up on the Twins for the lead in the AL Central.

Stig’s Game of the Night:  Brewers 12, Cardinals 0:  Sheets scattered 5 hits over 6 innings and didn’t allow a run.  The offense was the story for the Brewers however.  Every starter had a hit for the Brewers while Braun, Fielder and Counsell each had 3 hits.  Bill Hall and Ryan Braun each homered.  The Brewers made up no ground on the first place Cubs however they put more distance between them and the Wild Card runner up Cardinals.

Hef’s Game of the Night:  Arizona 2, San Diego 9:  Brandon Webb failed to become the first pitcher to win 20 games this year.  The sinker must not have been sinking last night when he gave up 6 ER in 4 2/3 innings.  Chad Reineke picked up the win for the Padres.  Mark Reynolds hit his 25th home run and had both RBI for Arizona.  Coupled with the Dodgers’ loss, Arizona still has a 3 game lead on the division.  San Diego is now 3 games up on the Nationals for the worst record in National League.