| Players Behaving Badly.com Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox, 2006 Michael Barrett vs AJ Pie |
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On May 20, 2006 Michael Barrett was in an altercation with White Sox catcher A. J. Pierzynski
after a collision at home plate. Pierzynski was the runner on third base when Brian Anderson hit a
fly ball to left field. Pierzynski tagged from third in an attempt to score. Barrett was set up at home
plate to receive left fielder Matt Murton's throw. As Pierzynski reached home plate, he collided with
Barrett. The collision knocked Barrett, who had not yet received Murton's throw, back several feet
behind home plate. After the collision, Pierzynski enthusiastically slapped home plate. As Barrett
got to his feet, the two came together again. Barrett grabbed Pierzynski with both arms and struck
Pierzynski just below the left jaw with his right fist. Both benches cleared. Seconds later, Brian
Anderson and Cubs first baseman John Mabry were involved in another confrontation. The four
were ejected.
Following the game at a press conference, Barrett, Pierzynski, and Cubs Manager Dusty Baker all
commented on the play. There was some disagreement about why Barrett struck Pierzynski.
Barrett indicated that Pierzynski stepped toward him at the end of play, and he just reacted badly.
Pierzynski indicated that Barrett may have struck him because Barrett did not have the ball yet
when the collision occurred. In baseball it is a legal play for a runner to collide with the catcher at
home plate when the catcher is attempting to block home plate in order to put a tag on the runner.
On Friday, May 26, 2006, Barrett was suspended for ten games and fined an undisclosed amount
for striking Pierzynski and inciting the bench-clearing incident. The Cubs catcher appealed the
suspension and continued to play, but the appeal was denied on June 19, 2006 and the
suspension was upheld.
On June 30, 2006, the day of the next meeting between the Cubs and White Sox at Wrigley Field,
Barrett and Pierzynski came to terms during practice.
This incident led the White Sox to lead an election campaign entitled "Punch A.J." when Major
League Baseball announced its fan vote to vote for the last All-Star that season.
Recently, Pierzynski was given a TNA X Division Championship Replica Belt by TNA, and he
announced that the belt would be the (unofficial) award for the White Sox Player of the Game.
On October 10, 2006, Pierzynski appeared on ESPN2's Cold Pizza, wearing the X-Division
Championship belt, and challenged WWE Champion John Cena, who was also a guest that
morning, to a Title vs. Title steel cage match whenever Cena wanted to have it.
On the January 18th, 2007 edition of TNA iMPACT!, Pierzynski and Torborg attacked Lance Hoyt,
helping James Storm win, who was also aided by Miss Tennessee.
He also appeared on Jerry Springer as a security person.
after a collision at home plate. Pierzynski was the runner on third base when Brian Anderson hit a
fly ball to left field. Pierzynski tagged from third in an attempt to score. Barrett was set up at home
plate to receive left fielder Matt Murton's throw. As Pierzynski reached home plate, he collided with
Barrett. The collision knocked Barrett, who had not yet received Murton's throw, back several feet
behind home plate. After the collision, Pierzynski enthusiastically slapped home plate. As Barrett
got to his feet, the two came together again. Barrett grabbed Pierzynski with both arms and struck
Pierzynski just below the left jaw with his right fist. Both benches cleared. Seconds later, Brian
Anderson and Cubs first baseman John Mabry were involved in another confrontation. The four
were ejected.
Following the game at a press conference, Barrett, Pierzynski, and Cubs Manager Dusty Baker all
commented on the play. There was some disagreement about why Barrett struck Pierzynski.
Barrett indicated that Pierzynski stepped toward him at the end of play, and he just reacted badly.
Pierzynski indicated that Barrett may have struck him because Barrett did not have the ball yet
when the collision occurred. In baseball it is a legal play for a runner to collide with the catcher at
home plate when the catcher is attempting to block home plate in order to put a tag on the runner.
On Friday, May 26, 2006, Barrett was suspended for ten games and fined an undisclosed amount
for striking Pierzynski and inciting the bench-clearing incident. The Cubs catcher appealed the
suspension and continued to play, but the appeal was denied on June 19, 2006 and the
suspension was upheld.
On June 30, 2006, the day of the next meeting between the Cubs and White Sox at Wrigley Field,
Barrett and Pierzynski came to terms during practice.
This incident led the White Sox to lead an election campaign entitled "Punch A.J." when Major
League Baseball announced its fan vote to vote for the last All-Star that season.
Recently, Pierzynski was given a TNA X Division Championship Replica Belt by TNA, and he
announced that the belt would be the (unofficial) award for the White Sox Player of the Game.
On October 10, 2006, Pierzynski appeared on ESPN2's Cold Pizza, wearing the X-Division
Championship belt, and challenged WWE Champion John Cena, who was also a guest that
morning, to a Title vs. Title steel cage match whenever Cena wanted to have it.
On the January 18th, 2007 edition of TNA iMPACT!, Pierzynski and Torborg attacked Lance Hoyt,
helping James Storm win, who was also aided by Miss Tennessee.
He also appeared on Jerry Springer as a security person.
