Pierzynski hopes to keep squatting rights with Sox
Bombarded with questions Tuesday regarding his future, A.J. Pierzynski was troubled by the tense.
For example:
What are your favorite memories? Are you going to miss White Sox fans? How was it playing for Ozzie Guillen?
When the pack of reporters thinned out, Pierzynski's head was spinning.
"You guys (media) are talking like there's no chance I'm coming back," Pierzynski said. "Apparently, you know something that I don't know, so fill me in."
Here's what is known Pierzynski's three-year, $18.35 million contract is up at the end of the season and he has yet to hear from the White Sox on a new contract.
Nothing surprising about that, and there is plenty of time for the Sox to prevent Pierzynski for listening to other offers as a free agent.
And with Tyler Flowers still not ready to take over full-time catching duties, the White Sox would be wise to bring the 33-year-old Pierzynski back for at least two more seasons.
"Everyone knows where I stand with the White Sox and the people and the city," said Pierzynski, who is wrapping up his sixth season on the South Side.
"I've never said that I don't want to come back. The door is open. But we'll see what happens. It takes two to do that, to make it possible. We'll see where it goes."
Playing the most demanding position in baseball, Pierzynski has caught more than 1,000 innings for the ninth straight season. And he never has been on the disabled list, which is almost hard to believe.
"He's as durable as they come," said Paul Konerko, who also is headed toward free agency. "Knock on wood, he's never had any strains or pulls, and he's never had any problems with his back or knees.
"For catchers, those are tough. Other than some bumps and bruises, it's remarkable how durable he's been."
Pierzynski said his knack for staying healthy is no accident.
"Physically, I'm fine," he said. "I have no issues. I feel great. I'm in better shape now than I was five or six years ago. I'm doing more to take care of myself on and off the field and I feel I have 5-6 years left in me, hopefully.
"The physical part of the game is the easy part because of the work we put in before the game. The mental part is the hardest part, every day going out to catch. I enjoy being out there, and I want to be out there."
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he'd like both Pierzynski and Konerko to return, in 2011 and beyond.
"I know people say that they won the world championship here once (in 2005)," Guillen said. "They've done more than that. When you win a championship, you were good one year.
"But those guys have been very good for a long time and very consistent. They go there every day and play the right way. People love those guys here."
Hated in just about every opposing ballpark, Pierzynski was quickly accepted by Sox fans.
"From Day One, they've welcomed me with open arms and it's been fun," Pierzynski said. "We've had some moments back and forth and they are moments that people never forget, myself included. It's been a great run and I hope it continues.
"Obviously, it's a disappointing season. From where we were, where we thought we'd be to kind of playing out the string here, but I've had a great run here of six years.
"It's been fun, it's been awesome, from the team to the fans to the city, everything. If it's the end, it was a great time and I'll look back on it fondly."
Is it the end?
"Obviously, there are a lot of futures that are uncertain around here," Konerko said. "I have no clue. I don't even know about me, so I certainly don't know about anybody else."
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