Pierzynski takes ribbing for failed recruiting pitch

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The blame game on this one was easy.

A week ago, A.J. Pierzynski played golf with Johnny Damon and tried to lure the free-agent outfielder to the White Sox.

Five days later, Damon agreed to a one-year deal with the division rival Detroit Tigers.

"When they said A.J. was talking to him, I know we weren't going to get him because he's got to hang around with A.J. for five months," Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

White Sox general manager Kenny Williams also poked fun at Pierzynski's recruiting skills, as did Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski.

"(Dombrowski) was asked, 'Do the White Sox have an advantage with A.J. and Hawk (Harrelson) playing golf with Johnny Damon?' " Williams said. "Dave said, 'Well, maybe that helps us.' "

Pierzynski and Damon live in Orlando, Fla., and they attended the same high school (Dr. Phillips). The catcher said he gave Damon his best sales pitch, but the 36-year-old outfielder ultimately chose the Tigers because they train in nearby Lakeland, Fla.

"I look at it as a positive, the fact that we got him as close as we could because knowing him and knowing how much he didn't want to leave Florida for spring training, getting him to even entertain the idea was a huge step," Pierzynski said. "In the end, family won out. You can't blame a guy for that. He's got four kids and they're all young. Two of them are in school and he didn't want to uproot and move and miss five weeks at home with his kids. And he just moved into a new house.

"Just the fact that we got him to entertain even a thought of coming out here and being with us was a positive. We get to play against him 18 times and hopefully he struggles against us."

Guillen wasn't at all upset Damon signed with Detroit.

"I'm very satisfied with what this club can do," Guillen said. "Some people have a different opinion than we have. I respect that opinion, but right now when I see the players around and the club we have ... I am satisfied about it."