CHICAGO – The White Sox’s final home game of the regular season also might have been the last for a fan favorite.
Catcher A.J. Pierzynski savored Sunday’s start in front of the home crowd despite the Sox’s 6-2 loss to Tampa Bay. A free agent after the season, Pierzynski acknowledged he may have played his last home game in a Sox uniform. He joins first baseman Paul Konerko as the only remaining players from the 2005 World Series title team.
“I would love to come back and finish my career here, but at the same time, I know how baseball works,” Pierzynski said. “I know the way things work and we’ll see. Maybe we can work something out. If not, I’ll always look back fondly on my time here and appreciate it. I love the city of Chicago. I love the fans here. I love the people here. I love the organization and you’ll never hear me say anything bad about them.”
Pierzynski, who turns 36 in December, is second on the Sox in home runs (27) and third in RBIs (76) and batting average (.276). He is looking for a fair market deal and is unlikely to give a hometown discount.
“My family flew in for the game [Sunday] just because there’s definitely a real possibility this will be my last game here as part of the White Sox,” Pierzynski said. “ … I hope it’s not the end, but if it is, I’ll look back fondly and with great memories and hold my head high because I know I gave everything I could to the White Sox organization for eight years. I hope people remember that.”
Ventura sets record straight: Robin Ventura raised some eyebrows after he said Saturday he hoped to just get through this one season as the Sox’s manager.
On Sunday, he made sure to clarify his comment and noted he plans on managing through his three-year contract.
“I plan on being here for two more years, yes,” Ventura said. “Unless they don’t want me to be here.”
Peavy’s future uncertain: Jake Peavy’s future with the Sox is up in the air after this season.
The club holds a $22 million option for 2013, but the Sox are expected to pay the $4 million buyout sending Peavy to free agency. Peavy should generate plenty of interest on the market as one of the top starting pitchers.
It’ll be a daunting task for Peavy, who will experience free agency for the first time in his 11-year career. He is currently without an agent. There is a possibility Peavy could represent himself during the process, but he hopes to decide within the week.
