Closer Bobby Jenks says he has learned quickly not to get caught up in the hype surrounding the White Sox-Cubs series, especially at Wrigley Field.
That’s because the heckling he has heard from fans while sitting in the bullpen is no different than what he has heard at other venues.
“It’s just another jackass in the stands,” Jenks said of the hecklers. “That’s all they are, whether they’re at Wrigley or Toronto. So it’s just part of the game where you block it out and play some ball.
“After a few years of hearing it, it’s all the same [trash]. Just another day at the ballpark.”
Jenks might not need any extra motivation. The velocity of his fastball, a source of concern among several observers, was clocked Sunday at 97 m.p.h.
A.J.’s friendly confines: A.J. Pierzynski is remembered in the Sox-Cubs series for getting sucker-punched by Michael Barrett, but Pierzynski still relishes the payback when he hit a three-run, game-winning home run off Ryan Dempster in the rematch series at Wrigley in 2006.
“It was great,” Pierzynski said. “It was one of the coolest moments of my career, especially during the regular season.”
Pierzynski’s homer struck the nerves of fans of both sides.
“It’s pretty good to have your name chanted in a visiting park,” he said, “and to have them stop the game because a riot almost broke out is pretty cool.”
The field was showered with debris after the home run, and the Sox held on for an 8-6 victory.
Backstop backer: Catcher Josh Phegley, the Sox’s second pick in the amateur draft, could make a big impact once he’s signed.
That comes from Eric Arnett, Phegley’s teammate at Indiana who received a $1.2 million bonus as Milwaukee’s first pick.
“He’s going to really shock some people once he gets up there to see how good he is,” Arnett said. “He’s a guy who could move up very quickly.”
Phegley batted .344 with 17 home runs and 66 RBIs for the Hoosiers and is known more for his hitting than his defense. But Arnett disputes Phegley’s reputation as solely a hitter.
“I know some people say that [defense] is his downside, but when he catches me, he’s someone you love to have behind the plate,” Arnett said. “He’s got a great arm. His glove may be inconsistent at times, but when it’s there, he’s one of the best.”
