A.J. Pierzynski pictured here in 2008. (Courtesy of Associated Press)
Known for his colorful personality, MLB catcher A.J. Pierzynski has been called a lot of things during his career. (This is, after all, the guy who inspired the “Punch A.J.” campaign during his 2006 season with the Chicago White Sox).
But don’t forget to add this adjective to the list; loyal.
Pierzynski, 33, gave his take on his hometown NBA team, Orlando Magic, and his future with the Chicago White Sox Thursday after completing the first day of the Pro-Am division in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic golf tournament. Pierzynski, who lives in Kingspointe and graduated from Dr. Phillips high school, and San Francisco Giants catcher Aaron Rowand are the only two celebrity golfers to compete in the Pro-Am tournament for two consecutive years.
“I think they’re awesome. I think they have a chance to win everything. Everyone’s talking about the [Miami] Heat and I’ve already been on national radio, national t.v saying the Magic are going to beat the Heat in the end,” said Pierzynski. ”I think as long as Vince Carter is healthy, Dwight Howard has improved his game and Jameer Nelson stays healthy, I like their chances.”
Pierzynski shot a 4-under and competed alongside Blake Adams, Brent Delahoussaye and Paul Genovese. To his misfortune, local Channel 6 sportscaster David Pingalore finished 11-under for the day and, of course, had no problems smack talking a jovial Pierzynski.
A championship for the Magic would certainly put a smile on Pierzynski’s face — even bigger one for his wife Lisa, also a Magic fan. But his bigger concern is where he’ll end up next season. Pierzynski is currently a free agent after six seasons with the White Sox, including a World Series championship in 2005.
According to ESPNChicago.com, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was unclear as to whether the organization would resign Pierzynski or veteran Paul Konerko.
“To me, right now, I don’t [know],” Guillen said when asked if he thought he would see Konerko and Pierzynski in spring training. “First of all because it’s too early. I talked to [chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] last night and he didn’t mention either of the two names. I think I’m going to see [general manager] Kenny [Williams] in the next couple of days to talk about it.”
When asked if he wanted to return to Chicago next season, Pierzynski gave a resounding yes.
“I would love to come back to the White Sox. Eveyone knows that, everyone knows how I feel about Chicago, everyone knows how I feel about the fans, the organization, the city and I would love to go back there. But at the same time, it has to work out for both sides. It’s a business and I understand that so hopefully it will, but if it doesn’t I’m not going to crawl back there. I want to be there and if it works out for both sides, I’d be honored to come back.”