White Sox Charities honors A.J. Pierzynski with bobblehead

SHARE White Sox Charities honors A.J. Pierzynski with bobblehead
img_7401.jpg

The A.J. Pierzynski bobblehead

A.J. Pierzynski remembers the last time the White Sox went to the postseason. It was 2008.

The catcher on that team and the 2005 World Series champs, now a team ambassador, stopped by Guaranteed Rate Field to promote his bobblehead featuring Pierzynski’s bleach-blond hair in his memorable postgame celebration pose acknowledging fans after the 2008 “Blackout Game,’’ the AL Central tiebreaker against the Twins, which the Sox won 1-0.

It was one of the most memorable games in recent Sox history and one of the most memorable for Pierzynski.

“One game, everything on the line,’’ he said.

“The fans were really into it. It was one of the coolest experiences to walk out on the field and every person in the stands was in black. It was just something I had never seen before.’’

More than anything, it was about making the postseason.

“We hadn’t been there for a few years and the White Sox haven’t been back since,’’ Pierzynski said.

Pierzynski is broadcasting for Fox Sports about once a week and will do a Sox game with Ken Harrelson on Sept. 2. He has kept an eye on his old team from a distance.

RELATED:

More bad news on, off field for Sox

Avisail Garcia back on 10-day DL

“I like the direction they are in,’’ he said. “They need to keep going. It’s tough. These guys are thrust into the fire. You look around MLB right now and there are a lot of teams in the same spot. It’s all going to come down to who develops their players the quickest. The White Sox have a good staff and organization and are on the right track.’’

The bobbleheads are available for $35 online at whitesox.com/ajbobble and at Guaranteed Rate Field in Section 135 beginning Friday.

Shipping rates also apply. All proceeds from the bobblehead sales benefit White Sox Charities and Make-A-Wish Illinois, an organization selected by Pierzynski.

The Latest
The Hawks finished their season 23-53-6 — with the most losses in franchise history — after a 5-4 overtime defeat Thursday in Los Angeles. They ripped off three third-period goals to take the lead, but conceded late in regulation and then six seconds into overtime.
In moments, her 11th album feels like a bloodletting: A cathartic purge after a major heartbreak delivered through an ascendant vocal run, an elegiac verse, or mobile, synthesized productions that underscore the powers of Swift’s storytelling.
Sounds of explosions near an air base in Isfahan on Friday morning prompted fears of Israeli reprisals following a drone and missile strike by Iran on Israeli targets. State TV in Tehran reported defenses fired across several provinces.
Hall participated in Hawks morning skate Thursday — on the last day of the season — for the first time since his surgery in November. He expects to be fully healthy for training camp next season.