Listen: Radio Call From Pierzynski-Barrett Fight
(WSCR) A.J. Pierzynski may be gone, but he's certainly not forgotten.
Fans will never forget his role on the 2005 World Series team, the way he infuriated opposing teams or the time he was punched in the mouth by former Cubs catcher Michael Barrett.
You remember the story: As Pierzynski was rounding third base, attempting to score in the Crosstown Classic of 2006, he charged toward home plate where Barrett was preparing to catch the relay throw to tag the charging Pierzysnki.
Pierzysnki barreled into Barrett, who didn't even have the ball yet to make the tag. As the two fell to the ground, Pierzysnki emphatically slapped home plate. He then walked to the dugout and bumped Barrett with his shoulder, which caused Barrett to retaliate.
That's when Barrett cocked his arm back and punched Pierzynski right in the jaw.
"I got sucker-punched," Pierzynski said after the game."He grabbed me and said, 'I didn't have the ball' and then he punched me. … I was trying to pick up my helmet. I tried to take a step around him and he grabbed me. I thought he was going to say 'Hey, are you OK?' And I was going to say the same thing. The words came out, I got hit and the next thing I know, all hell broke loose."
Listen: Ed Farmer's call of the Pierzynski-Barrett fight on 670 The Score
