A.J. Pierzynski began his stint with the Red Sox on Saturday in Fort Myers by looking back at his time in town with the Twins' rookie league team there 20 YEARS AGO. Then, ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes got him reflecting on his time in A ball playing and hanging out with David Ortiz, who will be his teammate again.
After recounting a game-winning homer by Ortiz, Pierzynski threw a little salt in Twins fans wounds again:
"Coming to Boston was the best thing that ever happened to him," Pierzynski said of Ortiz. "He was never given the freedom in Minnesota to become what he has become. Not because of anything, just because of the way it was over there; they ran a little bit of a different ship."
Speaking of Ortiz, he had an explosive Tuesday morning in Fort Myers, in the batting cage and in quotes with the Boston Herald about his quest for a contract extension that resonated over the Internet, at least what could be printed about his critics:
"(Expletive) them. I'm tired of hearing them talk (expletive) about me when I talk about my contract. Hey, every time I talk about my contract, I earn it, (expletive). So don't be giving me that (expletive)."
Wednesday, Ortiz will speak again, in his "State of Papi" news conference. Just so you don't think he's snarling, he also told the Herald "he's living the dream," which on Tuesday included this massive autograph session. One fan asked Ortiz to sign his Champagne bottle.
