I was listening to the score a few days ago after the Sox beat the Cubs, and a Sox fan called in and started talking about how he hates AJ and thinks he is bad news, despite the fact that he can be clutch and had moments that changed the 2005 season. It got me to thinking about the whole surrounding mystique about AJ, and wondering what really makes everyone hate the guy.

 

I remember back when AJ was with the Twins, all of the White Sox players talked about how they didnt like him, but they never gave good reasons why they didnt like him. It was always something like "he talks too much", but never any concrete reasons that I could see besides the fact that AJ always stuck it to the Sox when he was put in the position to do so. Basehits, calling games, taking leads, AJ was always in the middle of the fray.

 

Then the story came out of San Francisco that AJ kneed a trainer in the "cup". I still dont know if I believe it. It really doesnt sound like something he would do, despite the fact that he comes off to many people as an agitator. I just know that AJ had a tough year in San Francisco and never really fit in, and towards the end stories started coming out of nowhere.

 

Basically I just wanted to find out what the majority of Soxtalk thinks about AJ, and why you think the way you do.

AJ has more big hits since he became a White Sox than any other player on the team. He also brings with him an attitude that has rubbed off on guys. The winning percentage of the teams he's played for is incredible. I know you can't give him full credit for that, but you probably can give him some. The White Sox would never have won in 2005 without him. I'm sure some on the team find him to be a pain in the ass, if not most, but I think they all respect him when the game starts. He may be an ass, but he's not going around beating women, taking drugs, breaking laws. The Sox are lucky to have him.

Like I have said and many others have said, you love him if he's on your team, but you hate him if he's on the other team. He likes talk smack, which is okay, and he plays with a great attitude of doing whatever it takes, and that is why people don't like him.

I was just blown away by the callers hatred towards AJ. And the first thing I thought was "This is a Cubs fan", but then the guy started talking about minor leaguers and certain aspects of the Sox that a Cub fan wouldnt care about, even if pretending to be a Sox fan.

 

I love AJ, and the only reason I didnt like him when he was with the Twins was because he ALWAYS beat us with the game on the line.

I always see articles quoting Ozzie as saying, "If you're playing against AJ you hate him, if he's on your team you hate him a little less," but whenever I actually see or hear Ozzie talk about him, the quote is something about "if he's on your team, you understand what he's doing." So I don't know if it's a true quote. Either way, it's funny.

AJ has more big hits since he became a White Sox than any other player on the team. He also brings with him an attitude that has rubbed off on guys. The winning percentage of the teams he's played for is incredible. I know you can't give him full credit for that, but you probably can give him some. The White Sox would never have won in 2005 without him. I'm sure some on the team find him to be a pain in the ass, if not most, but I think they all respect him when the game starts. He may be an ass, but he's not going around beating women, taking drugs, breaking laws. The Sox are lucky to have him.

 

Congrats on the best post I've seen all season.

He's just the perfect example of the guy you hate to play against, but would love to have on your team. I don't think there's any other better way to describe him really.

I wouldn't doubt it if a few people in the clubhouse don't like him. I would actually be surprised if someone didn't. It has been said already, but the guy does everything he can to win a game and you can't blame him. I think his presence adds a lot to this team. Although I would like it if he would keep his mouth shut on the radio sometimes, that's just him.

I can't believe any Sox fan would dislike the guy.

Plus, anyone who's played a team sport probably had one of those guys on your team. He annoyed the living f*** out of anyone he played against. He ran his mouth a little. Or a lot. But he's willing to do anything for the team to win, and he'll defend anyone on the team.

 

Those guys are great to have.

I can't believe any Sox fan would dislike the guy.

And I wouldn't expect a fan of any other team to like him.

He's an irritant, but he is also a hell of a "gamer" (the predecessor of the "grinder").

He's my second-favorite Sox player behind Jim Thome. There's a study in contrasts for ya!

And I wouldn't expect a fan of any other team to like him.

I would surely hate him if he was ever on another team. Oh wait, that already happened...

 

I definitely couldn't stand him when he was on the Twins, but I absolutely love the guy now.

Edited May 26, 200718 yr by Rowand44

The voting on this is a joke at 50-2-2. This should seriously be a clean sweep for option #1.

I would surely hate him if he was ever on another team. Oh wait, that already happened...

 

I definitely couldn't stand him when he was on the Twins, but I absolutely love the guy now.

Very true. I was ecstatic when we signed him.

 

BOOYAH!

The only thing I don't like about him is his throwing arm.

The only thing I don't like about him is his throwing arm.

Quoted for the flipping truth.

How can you not love a guy very very responsible for the Sox

winning the World Series?

He'll always be one of my favorites for his role in the playoff victories

and Series victory.

Clutch.

I'd like to see AJ hit for a higher average - not .300 but I'd take .270ish, and his defense does stink, but the White Sox starters aren't very good at holding runners on so, it's a combined effort there. Overall, the guy is a leader, gets big hits, and is valuable to our team. I do think Toby Hall needs to play at least 2x a week though if not to keep AJ as fresh as possible, and to keep Hall from becoming rusty.

I've always adored AJ. I rag him every here and there, but he just might be my favorite player of all time when all's said and done