On the National League side, Nomar Garciaparra of the Los Angeles Dodger won the same honor for the "Senior Circuit."
Two months ago in front of a national audience, Pierzynski was punched in the jaw by Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, after a Pierzynski slide into home plate, hence the drive to "punch" A.J. into the big game. Barrett received a ten-day "vacation" from the Commissioner of Baseball for his pugilistic exhibition.
Regarding A.J., this comes from the Chicago Sun-Times:
Not only was Pierzynski thankful, actually addressing the crowd at U.S. Cellular Field before taking the field, but he also felt a bit vindicated.
Rightfully so, considering the two previous votes he had earned were finishing top 10 in GQ magazine as one of the most hated players in sports and finishing first in a Sports Illustrated player poll asking which player ''you would most like to see get hit by a pitch.''
''It's a little vindication for all the bad stuff that certain people have written about me,'' Pierzynski said. ''I just got to thank the fans that voted, and also the [public relations] department for getting it out there. They did a great job, coming up with a good slogan and everything. I can't thank them enough. It was a little nerve-racking there in the end, but it was fun. It was nice to know there's some support for me out there.''
Previously on Marathon Pundit:
"Punch" A.J. Pierzynski into Baseball's All Star Game
Chicago Crosstown Classic: Cub fans pelt field with garbage after Pierzynski homer
Technorati tags: Baseball MLB White Sox Cubs sports Chicago White Sox Pierzynski Pittsburgh
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