And then there was one…The 2005 White Sox World Series felt more distant after catcher A.J. Pierzynski agreed to play for the Texas Rangers. Now Paul Konerko is the last player from that World Championship team. It almost feels rather melancholy to think that there will be no more of the colorful and sometimes controversial player behind the plate for the South Siders.
It seemed every year A.J. was anointed as the most hated player in baseball and he loved it. Pierzynski is the kind of player from the outside who seemed like a pain and a difficult person to have on a team. He was to some extent. But what you learn being around him for eight years is he is one of the smartest players in the game. He gets under other people's skin because he knows all the nuances of the game better than most — and he lets you know it.
After covering him and Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk, you realize that those types of players are special in baseball. They are perfectionists in a game they love more than you know.
A few weeks ago a fan in Cleveland did a little trash-talking to Bulls guard Richard Hamilton, a rather weak "you’re an old man” taunt. It made me realize that the art of trash talking is just not what it used to be, especially among the players.
The Bears tried to play catch-up all game, down two scores after three minutes. Cutler was able to connect with rookie Alshon Jeffery in the final two minutes of the half with a 23 yard pass reception for a touchdown. The Bears had several drives that stalled and were unable to overcome the deficit. Cutler’s second interception in the third quarter was costly.