Dick Allen Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 I'm pretty sure AJ calls the games. He's looking in the dugout not for pitches but for pitchouts, pickoffs and they also tell the young pitchers when to throw over to first base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South Side Fireworks Man Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 (edited) AJ caught Mark Buehrle's no-hitter. AJ caught Booby Jenks during his record tying run. AJ caught many of Javy Vazquez' solid starts. But does any of that matter? I suppose it's AJ's fault that MacDougal couldn't throw a strike for an extended stretch this season. And I guess it's AJ's fault that Sisco, and Aardsma suck. Really this whole idea that somehow AJ is negatively effecting the team is ridiculous. I'm sure most posters here are nice people but one of my pet peeves about internet message boards is how people can post just about anything and others can take off and run with it thus slandering the reputaton of someone without any merit whatsoever. Again, no offense to anyone here, but some people imply that they have "inside" information and post innuendo without actually saying anything specific with the idea of creating an impression about someone that may not even be true. If anyone has concrete specific evidence that there is a problem why not just come out and say it? Of course, I doubt that anyone close enough to the White Sox clubhouse to have any real insight into what's going on would waste their time posting rumor and innuendo on an internet message board. Finally, I wish someone would post this topic over at WSI so I can use the "This Thread Sucks" tag. Edited August 24, 2007 by South Side Fireworks Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South Side Fireworks Man Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 One more thing about AJ. The man plays the most demanding position on the field, catcher. He plays day in and day out without asking for a rest. In fact the only time he seems to complain about anything is when he is given a rest. I can see why the guy might be a little upset at the way the team has been playing. Also, I doubt if anyone has contributed more to the 56 or so Sox victories this year than AJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 Lets not deflect the blame onto everyone but the one it should be blamed on, the pitcher. Agreed. And we've now added another lousy pitcher to the group for next year: Myers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 QUOTE(greg775 @ Aug 24, 2007 -> 07:27 PM) Agreed. And we've now added another lousy pitcher to the group for next year: Myers. Myers might not even see September in a White Sox uniform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 24, 2007 -> 03:04 PM) If you want to talk about people not doing their job, has anyone stolen more money the last two years than Don Cooper? Joe Crede? Waited for the season to start then had surgery. Scott podsednik? can't stay on the field. Jose Contreras? total bum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 I don't really blame scotty though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BainesHOF Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 Dick Allen knows what he's talking about. A.J. does a great job handling the pitchers. He's been very positive with them during games as they're embarrassing themselves on the mound. The pitchers are lucky A.J. hasn't layed into them. And he does a very good job at calling pitches, and calls for the pitchers to throw all their pitches. He doesn't let them fall into a rut. Folks, he can't do anything about hanging curveballs and fastballs over the middle of the plate. That said, A.J. doesn't hustle to first base. Unfortunately, I feel I have to look the other way considering he has to catch almost every game because Toby Hall is so bad. If A.J. received more rest, then I'd definitely have a problem with him. But if he wants to conserve energy when he's catching six days a week, that's fine with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 I don't really have an opinion on A.J.'s game calling one way or the other, though I generally believe that the importance of game calling by catchers is overrated. My one thought is that people erroneously consider the staff's struggles in '06 and '07 and not its success in '05 to be the fluke. Buerhle's pretty much been the one consistently good pitcher this team has had (except for the second half of last season). Freddy is gone and Jose is a shell of his former self. Big Jon is perhaps my favorite ChiSox player but his peripherals have always been lacking and it seems to have caught up with him again. Javy is probably exceeding (or finally meeting) expectations and if he falls off again next season, people will be calling for his head. This team needs to be carried by starting pitching to be a contender and I doubt that this team will be able to do that again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eickevinmorris Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 Also, I doubt if anyone has contributed more to the 56 or so Sox victories this year than AJ. Yes, that .270/.316/.417 line plus his s***ty arm really have carried the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSoxFan Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 The only reason I don't jump on this Kevin is that among so many players having horrible hitting years, it's hard to isolate one as the cause. That's how bad this season has been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 At least AJ got visibly pissed today when that no name hack in left field didn't get the ball into the infield costing the Sox a run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSoxFan Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 The look on AJ's face after he got plunked and walked to first base pretty much summed up the entire season. It was a look of "Get this over with already." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barnes Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 BOO THIS THREAD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linnwood Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 QUOTE(South Side Fireworks Man @ Aug 24, 2007 -> 05:28 PM) I wish everbody on the Sox had an attitude "problem" like AJ. ^^^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 QUOTE(Steff @ Aug 24, 2007 -> 08:53 PM) I know, I know. I was just being silly. Please tell us all now. We are all friends here and your secret will never leave my/our lip(s) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Controlled Chaos Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Originally posted: August 27, 2007 Dugout disagreement By Mark Gonzales, 12:04 p.m. White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and batting coach Greg Walker were involved in a verbal disagreement in the dugout Sunday that manager Ozzie Guillen said was Pierzynski's fault. "A.J. has to admit he was wrong," said Guillen, explaining later that Pierzynski expressed surprise to Walker that Boston reliever Manny Delcarmen had a cut fastball. "I don't have anything against A.J. I like him. I love him. He's one of my players. I love this kid. He shows up every day, but he's got to admit he's wrong." Walker took exception to Pierzynski's surprise, Guillen said, because the Sox had faced Delcarmen in the past and were aware of his cut fastball. Bench coach Joey Cora had stepped between Pierzynski and Walker. Walker downplayed the incident, saying, "It was A.J. being A.J., and Walk being Walk." Pierzynski also downplayed the incident, saying he's had a few disagreements with Walker in the past. "We're freinds, we still talk," Pierzynski said. "Like I said, we’ve gotten into it many times before and it wasn’t his fault, it was probably my fault." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allsox Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 The way this season has gone, I'm surprised there weren't more incidents in the dugout or locker room. Hell, there's prolly been some. But to me, AJ Pierzynski is one of the few things on this team that concerns me the LEAST Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Before anyone wants to send AJ out the door, please remember White Sox catchers not named AJP have driven in exactly 2 runs this season. Molina was bad, but Hall whether it can be blamed on his injury or not, might just be the most worthless player in major league baseball. He has not hit at all for average or power, he doesn't seem to call a particularly good game, he cannot throw at all.................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Aug 27, 2007 -> 01:50 PM) Before anyone wants to send AJ out the door, please remember White Sox catchers not named AJP have driven in exactly 2 runs this season. Molina was bad, but Hall whether it can be blamed on his injury or not, might just be the most worthless player in major league baseball. He has not hit at all for average or power, he doesn't seem to call a particularly good game, he cannot throw at all.................... Just for the record, since I started the thread... 1. I am NOT saying AJ should go. Not at all. I think he is key to the team, and would be exceedingly difficult to replace. He needs to be kept around at least until the end of his contract (any options included), and probably past that. 2. AJ was my fave player in 2005, and even now is still one of my favorite players on the team. 3. Aj's "attitude" was a key piece to the 2005 success of the Sox. That all said, that same fiery attitude that can be used for good, can become a drag on a team if used indiscriminately and selfishly. This year, with things going badly, AJ's fire has been directed all over the place and not on himself - something I think there is no denying if you watch him play. And that might have consequences on and off the field. THAT is what I was pointing out, and wondering how much it has effected his play and the team's results. And I agree on Hall. I'd be ecstatic to see Donny Lucy back up AJ in 2008. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 AJ's comment makes me feel like maybe the players feel that Walker doesn't do a good job preparing them for pitchers with scouting reports, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 27, 2007 -> 01:21 PM) AJ's comment makes me feel like maybe the players feel that Walker doesn't do a good job preparing them for pitchers with scouting reports, etc. Clearly AJ's admission of fault is secret code for "Walker doesn't know how to prepare us". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 27, 2007 -> 02:21 PM) AJ's comment makes me feel like maybe the players feel that Walker doesn't do a good job preparing them for pitchers with scouting reports, etc. That may very well be. It would explain a lot. Or, maybe these players don't take direction. or perhaps some of both? Walker is the one coach I'd suggest should probably be fired this offseason (if not before). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29andPoplar Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Clearly AJ's admission of fault is secret code for "Walker doesn't know how to prepare us". Exactly, sheesh. I get a kick out of people on this site who neatly fit every comment, situation, or incident into their preconceived notion of things. Walker may not be a good hitting coach and quite possibly changes need to be made solely for the sake of change. However, a slacker he ain't. He puts in tons of hours and takes this years failures harder than anyone here by a longshot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29andPoplar Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Or, maybe these players don't take direction. Walker is the one coach I'd suggest should probably be fired this offseason (if not before). Yes, and several players aren't bright enough to apply the direction they've been given. Or talented enough. But I do agree that making coaching changes solely for the reason of shaking things up should be a consideration. Sometimes it's a fresh voice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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