If Pierzynski is retiring, Sale's going to miss him

Now 39 and a part-time catcher for the Atlanta Braves, A.J. Pierzynski's season is done with a left-hamstring strain.

Given his age and reduced role, Pierzynski's career likely is done as well, although he did not officially announce his retirement Saturday after landing on the disabled list.

Pierzynski spent the past two seasons with the Braves, but he always will be remembered for playing eight years (2005-12) with the Chicago White Sox and being a key cog on the World Series championship club during his first year on the South Side.

If Pierzynski's playing days are over - official retirement announcement or not - current Sox ace starter Chris Sale is going to miss him.

"He was my first catcher," said Sale, who joined the White Sox in August 2010. "He helped me out a lot early in my career, and we had some fun, too."

Pierzynski was well known for making fun of rookie teammates, and Sale and his lanky frame were easy targets six years ago.

"He got me, no doubt, but you have to have thick skin in this game," Sale said. "If you don't you're not going to last. If you're going to worry about people making fun of you, you're going to have a lot bigger problems on your hands."

Pierzynski is one of only 10 catchers in major-league history to reach the 2,000-hit milestone, and he ranks eighth all time with 1,936 games caught.

"Say what you want about the guy, I know people have some bitter feelings about him, but he went out there every day," Sale said. "It's a lot like (Royals catcher) Salvador (Perez), and you have to respect that. No matter who he is, what he's done, he brought a World Series to this city, to this fan base, to this organization.

"He went out there, and I know he didn't feel great every time he went out there, but he did. You can't deny him that. He brought a little flair to it as well. He kept guys on their toes and was feared in the batter's box."