A. J. Pierzynski

Anthony John Pierzynski [peer-ZIN-skee] (born December 30, 1976 in Bridgehampton, New York) is a 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).

In a seven-year career, Pierzynski is a .294 hitter with 37 home runs and 270 RBI in 561 games. He was selected an All-Star in 2002.

On October 12, 2005, Pierzynski was involved in one of the most controversial endings in baseball playoff history in Game 2 of the 2005 American League Championship Series versus the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. With the score tied with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar apparently struck out Pierzynski to end the inning. Pierzynski ran to first base in case the umpire ruled that the Angels catcher did not field the ball cleanly, meaning he would have to either tag Pierzynski or throw to the first baseman to record the out. Umpire Doug Eddings indeed ruled the catcher did not catch the ball, and Pierzynski was awarded first. Pinch-runner, Pablo Ozuna, replaced Pierzynski, who stole second base. Third baseman Joe Crede delivered a base hit three pitches later to give the White Sox the win. The White Sox then swept the next three games to reach to the World Series. In the last game Pierzynski and Escobar were involved in another bizarre play with two out, when Escobar tried to tag Pierzynski out with an empty glove. Pierzynski was initially called out, then awarded the base, and Crede again hit the winning run home.

High School Career

Pierzynski attended Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida, where he won All-State honors in baseball.

External links

• Template:Espn mlb
• Career statistics from Baseball Reference
• Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers