MLB.com has an update on the fallout of that AJ story. I hope AJ's okay, but one can't help but wonder; is it really better if a guy says to a reporter that you're a cancer OFF the record?
... "We talked about it, got a lot of things out in the open -- I'm not going to tell you what we talked about; it's none of your business to be honest about it -- and if we were winning it wouldn't be an issue," Pierzynski said.
"They said some of the quotes they say were taken out of context or off the record," he added. "I think we came together as a team and it was good to get things out in the open and taken care of before it turns into a bigger issue than it already is."Posted by Batgirl at May 1, 2004 02:38 PMPierzynski, a 27-year-old acquired from Minnesota in the offseason, said if the controversy "gets us together as a team and more focused, that's fine," saying his teammates were supporting him.
"They are behind me and believe in me," said Pierzynski. "I take their word over a reporter's."
Manager Felipe Alou said he looked at the opening paragraph of the newspaper story, noted the team sources were anonymous and didn't read any more.
"I stopped there because I don't believe it was worth continuing," Alou said. "You talk to me about anonymous and I don't have a conversation with you. It's not healthy [what was said] but I think the guys are addressing that."
Relief pitcher Matt Herges said it was not a topic that helps the Giants, who have struggled in April.
"It's a team issue and we want it gone," Herges said. "We don't want to dwell on it."
Bullpenner Jim Brower said he heard Pierzynski had a certain reputation with Minnesota as a chatterbox and outgoing player but decided to see for himself when the catcher joined the club. He has seen no problems.
"We're all professionals and we go out and win together," Brower said. "We're right on the edge to go on a tear. Communication is a good thing."
Pierzynski said he is a new guy and "an easy target" because he is a new guy and replaced the popular catcher Benito Santiago. "There was also stuff written about me in Minnesota," Pierzynksi said.
You see, the "cancer" comment was actually made in the MEDICAL context, rather than the baseball context. It's easy to see how the reporter got confused.
Posted by: Goober at May 1, 2004 04:32 PMYes, they just needed surgery. It seems they got it all, since AJ had a big day here today...he even hit a damn triple!
Posted by: russell at May 1, 2004 07:26 PMAnonymous sources allow chickens and wimps to deny what they said when the heat gets turned up, and a reporter who relies on them as heavily as Andrew Baggarly, the Oakland Tribune reporter, is cruisin' for a bruisin'. I'm wondering two things:
1. Is Andrew Baggarly really Jayson Blair's pen name?
2. Is there a correlation between pitchers who refuse to talk on the record and pitchers who refuse to back up their teammates by throwing inside?
I'm thinking the writer should take another look at those small-minded Giants who made foul comments about AJ, but were too fowl to do it on the record.
There's your cancer(s).
Posted by: Franorama at May 3, 2004 08:18 AMDear Franorama,
Batgirl salutes your most apt use of homonyms.
Adminiringly,
Batgirl
Dear Batgirl,
I appreciate your willingness to acknowledge your typographical errors. By demonstrating that Batgirl, too, is human, you have encouraged me to show greater tolerance for our middle infield.
With quiet adminiration,
Goober
Posted by: Goober at May 3, 2004 03:31 PM