Why is AJ Peirzynski a bad person?

ChapelHillMatt

Approaching Buddy Hernandez Territory
I know he can be a hot head on the field, he's been in quite a few brawls but can anyone cite specific examples why he's bad to have on a team? Do his teammates really hate him? If so, why? What does he do that is so bad. Does he kill puppies and refuse to walk little old ladies across the street? What's his story?
 
I know he can be a hot head on the field, he's been in quite a few brawls but can anyone cite specific examples why he's bad to have on a team? Do his teammates really hate him? If so, why? What does he do that is so bad. Does he kill puppies and refuse to walk little old ladies across the street? What's his story?

I'll let someone else dig up the stories, but I know he keeps getting voted as one of the most hated (by players).
 
Favorite moment of Pierzdouchebag's career

barrett_pierzynski.jpg
 
Again, this is from watching him during his time here in Minnesota, but he just doesn't have a whole lot of nice things to say about anybody. Real chip on his shoulder and doesn't try to hide it. Chirps a lot when he's catching to get on the opposing hitters' nerves. Problem is, he's one of those guys who gets to be such a distraction when he's needling the other team that it throws his own guys off their game.

He is a pr*ck, but he's one of those guys who is at least honest about the fact he is a pr*ck. What you see is what you get. It'll probably be a sparsely attended funeral when he goes.
 
"Jake Peavy, whose now famous duck boat purchase was inspired by Jonny Gomes, told the Boston Herald shortly after the Red Sox’ World Series celebration that he didn’t always view the outfielder in a positive light. In fact, he hated the guy. “He was literally the first person I saw when I walked into the clubhouse,” Peavy reportedly said of his first day in Boston. “And I have to say I didn’t have the fondest of thoughts in my head about Jonny Gomes. Just playing against him, I thought he was a lot of show. “I wasn’t crazy about him at all. But I soon found out he has this talent for bringing out the best in a team. When you don’t play with guys, you don’t get to know them.” Peavy got to know Gomes. Peavy’s teammates got to know Gomes. And Boston sure as hell got to know Gomes, whose passion and grit made him a fan favorite despite any preconceived notions. “I told them Jonny Gomes might be my favorite player in the big leagues,” Peavy said on Aug. 3 after an all-out effort from his once-hated teammate."

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2013/12/a-j-pierzyn...ston-as-preconceived-notions-often-overblown/

"Now, that catcher is gone, off to the Rangers. As Danks admitted, he will miss A.J. Pierzynski and his headstrong ways.

“You’re not out there alone when A.J. is behind the plate,” said Danks, the Rangers’ first-round draft choice in 2003. “He’s out there with you every step of the way. It’s real easy to trust A.J. because of his track record.

“You can say what you want about A.J. Sure, he has a reputation. But when it comes down to game time, he’s the guy you want out there with you. The Rangers got a winner in A.J.”

The “A.J. is a winner” line came up in every conversation with White Sox players and pitching coach Don Cooper on Wednesday. Pierzynski will do whatever he can to win, they said. He will take out a fielder with a hard slide, throw up a brick wall at the plate and harangue nonstop."


“The biggest thing I admire about A.J is that nobody wants to win worse than A.J.,” Peavy said. “He’s not real fond of the opposition, and I dig that. A.J. has that passion and desire to win. You can see that fire burning in him.

“People say he’s this and that; he gets voted most hated. But you want him on your team, because he is a winner. He’s going to be missed here, and he’s going to bring a lot to that Rangers team with his desire to win. He’ll give that team an edge.”


http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/te...ers-a.j.-pierzynski-a-winner-ex-mates-say.ece

I loved the interview with Jenn after the game last night - thought he was hilarious. Really looked like he and Freddie were having a great time together when A. J. staved off the hug after he hit the bomb too. Most of the stuff people have mentioned came strictly from the end of his time in Boston, not exactly a place known for having a clubhouse full of "great guys" to begin with. I've read tons of things over the years where teammates have said (paraphrasing) "you REALLY hate him when he's in the other dugout, but you love having him in yours". FWIW, most of the stories I've read about bad clubhouse chemistry in Boston usually come from guys that are still there taking shots at guys who aren't and can't defend themselves so they don't appear to be at fault in any way.
 
"Jake Peavy, whose now famous duck boat purchase was inspired by Jonny Gomes, told the Boston Herald shortly after the Red Sox’ World Series celebration that he didn’t always view the outfielder in a positive light. In fact, he hated the guy. “He was literally the first person I saw when I walked into the clubhouse,” Peavy reportedly said of his first day in Boston. “And I have to say I didn’t have the fondest of thoughts in my head about Jonny Gomes. Just playing against him, I thought he was a lot of show. “I wasn’t crazy about him at all. But I soon found out he has this talent for bringing out the best in a team. When you don’t play with guys, you don’t get to know them.” Peavy got to know Gomes. Peavy’s teammates got to know Gomes. And Boston sure as hell got to know Gomes, whose passion and grit made him a fan favorite despite any preconceived notions. “I told them Jonny Gomes might be my favorite player in the big leagues,” Peavy said on Aug. 3 after an all-out effort from his once-hated teammate."

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2013/12/a-j-pierzyn...ston-as-preconceived-notions-often-overblown/

"Now, that catcher is gone, off to the Rangers. As Danks admitted, he will miss A.J. Pierzynski and his headstrong ways.

“You’re not out there alone when A.J. is behind the plate,” said Danks, the Rangers’ first-round draft choice in 2003. “He’s out there with you every step of the way. It’s real easy to trust A.J. because of his track record.

“You can say what you want about A.J. Sure, he has a reputation. But when it comes down to game time, he’s the guy you want out there with you. The Rangers got a winner in A.J.”

The “A.J. is a winner” line came up in every conversation with White Sox players and pitching coach Don Cooper on Wednesday. Pierzynski will do whatever he can to win, they said. He will take out a fielder with a hard slide, throw up a brick wall at the plate and harangue nonstop."


“The biggest thing I admire about A.J is that nobody wants to win worse than A.J.,” Peavy said. “He’s not real fond of the opposition, and I dig that. A.J. has that passion and desire to win. You can see that fire burning in him.

“People say he’s this and that; he gets voted most hated. But you want him on your team, because he is a winner. He’s going to be missed here, and he’s going to bring a lot to that Rangers team with his desire to win. He’ll give that team an edge.”


http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/te...ers-a.j.-pierzynski-a-winner-ex-mates-say.ece

I loved the interview with Jenn after the game last night - thought he was hilarious. Really looked like he and Freddie were having a great time together when A. J. staved off the hug after he hit the bomb too. Most of the stuff people have mentioned came strictly from the end of his time in Boston, not exactly a place known for having a clubhouse full of "great guys" to begin with. I've read tons of things over the years where teammates have said (paraphrasing) "you REALLY hate him when he's in the other dugout, but you love having him in yours".

People like to poke fun at the "grit" and "winner" crap, and I get it. But, it does matter - at least a little bit. Certainly doesn't hurt.
 
People like to poke fun at the "grit" and "winner" crap, and I get it. But, it does matter - at least a little bit. Certainly doesn't hurt.

A. J. and Gomes are just two more of those guys that give you that "edge" - I personally loved both signings. I said several times that I'd love to see Varitek and Sheffield given jobs by the organization - they're cut out of the same mold - really don't give a *hit what the other team thinks of them because that's who they're trying to beat. Winning is what's important to them.

It's always struck me a little funny that people often say they loved guys like Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz for their "bulldog mentality" but hate guys like Gomes and A. J. for the same reason.
 
A. J. and Gomes are just two more of those guys that give you that "edge" - I personally loved both signings. I said several times that I'd love to see Varitek and Sheffield given jobs by the organization - they're cut out of the same mold - really don't give a *hit what the other team thinks of them because that's who they're trying to beat. Winning is what's important to them.

It's always struck me a little funny that people often say they loved guys like Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz for their "bulldog mentality" but hate guys like Gomes and A. J. for the same reason.

Well, I think maybe some people appreciated those guys because they were vicious competitors, but had way more low-key on field personas. The more demonstrative you are on the field, the more opposing fans are probably going to dislike you.

I already hate Pierzynski less. But I'll turn the question around on you—why are those guys so awesome, and Chris Johnson is just a red-ass jerkoff?
 
Well, I think maybe some people appreciated those guys because they were vicious competitors, but had way more low-key on field personas. The more demonstrative you are on the field, the more opposing fans are probably going to dislike you.

I already hate Pierzynski less. But I'll turn the question around on you—why are those guys so awesome, and Chris Johnson is just a red-ass jerkoff?

Johnson's antics never seem to be about "winning" as opposed to his personal disgust. Slamming helmets, beating up bat racks, throwing helmets in the direction of teammates. I don't personally hate Johnson either, I just wish his fire was more directed at helping the team get good results and less about himself. Every team needs some guys that play with passion, and do so openly. That's part of what I felt like we hadn't seen around here for several years - a little too much of the Fredi "we'll get 'em next time" mantra. The Manager is supposed to be like that in most cases - you can't get too down after every loss - but you don't need to appear to be OK with it, especially when you're a player.
 
All that matters is he is a definite upgrade over Gerald Laird.

Knowing it is only 2 games but for some reason, Bethancourt looks more fluid behind the plate and my opinion was last year he took pitches off.

My understanding the AJ signing was in part to mentor CB. A real good start IMHO is -- Play every pitch
 
Johnson's antics never seem to be about "winning" as opposed to his personal disgust. Slamming helmets, beating up bat racks, throwing helmets in the direction of teammates. I don't personally hate Johnson either, I just wish his fire was more directed at helping the team get good results and less about himself. Every team needs some guys that play with passion, and do so openly. That's part of what I felt like we hadn't seen around here for several years - a little too much of the Fredi "we'll get 'em next time" mantra. The Manager is supposed to be like that in most cases - you can't get too down after every loss - but you don't need to appear to be OK with it, especially when you're a player.

What you are describing about CJ is AJ to a T.
 
Does anyone else remember the game last season where Tehran was visably upset with Gattis' pitch calling. Tehran fell apart that night and Gattis started getting hurt and quit hitting and Fredi apologized for EG.

Catching in 2014 was horrific. Gattis - Laird and CB.

The Giants were none too sad to see AJ move on. He had a pretty good season for them too
 
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