Pierzynski: I'm over the whole All-Star thing

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A.J. Pierzynski has said about all he has to say regarding his exclusion from the American League roster for next weeks MLB All-Star Game.

Despite a strong case and many supporters inside and outside the White Sox clubhouse, Pierzynski was not named to the roster by Texas manager Ron Washington, who is in town as the Rangers and White Sox begin a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field tonight.

On Sunday, Washington expressed remorse for having to leave Pierzynski off the team. Pierzynski responded harshly at the time, but toned down his comments Tuesday in the Chicago clubhouse.

Im kind of over the whole All-Star thing, so its nice to hear but at the end of the day it doesnt change anything, Pierzynski said about Washingtons comments. Im looking forward to four days at my house, and getting away from baseball and just hanging out with my family.

Thats a different tone than Pierzynski had Sunday.

If (Washington) felt that bad he would have put me on the team, Pierzynski said then. He had an opportunity to do it and he didnt do it. Obviously he can feel as bad as he wants, but he didnt feel that bad.

For his part, Washington wasnt interested in rehashing his decision or reiterating his initial statement. He also didnt want to respond to Pierzynskis rebuke.

I said what I had to say about AJ, and it came from my heart, Washington said. After that, I have no more comment on that. I said what I said. I was asked a question. I brought up Pierzynskis name, thats about it.

Pierzynski is far from the first player to feel snubbed by the All-Star Game selection process. Its an annual event that sometimes overshadows the roster announcement itself.

He deserves to go, but this happens every year and its happened for years and years and years, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. Its nothing new. He deserves to go. Hes played great. But unless they expand the rosters, this is something were going to talk about all the time.

Ventura added he felt Alex Rios also deserved a spot on the team.

Pierzynski is having one of his best seasons in a White Sox uniform. He is batting .285 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI. He leads AL catchers in RBI and is second in home runs, slugging percentage, OPS, runs scored and average.

AJ has been by far one of our most steady offensive guys, but you could say that about (Alejandro) De Aza and Rios, too, said Adam Dunn, one of two White Sox who were named to the AL team. Those guys had tremendous first halves and deserved to go, but I realize you cant take the whole team.

Pierzynskis exclusion came down to Washington choosing Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer as the squads third catcher. Rangers catcher Mike Napoli won the fans vote and will start. Baltimores Matt Wieters won the players vote.

By rule every team must be represented, and Mauer was a clear choice as the Twins sole selection. Mauer leads the AL in on-base percentage and is third in batting average entering Tuesdays action.

When youre picking teams sometimes a lot of people will get snubbed, not because you wanted to but thats the way it is, said Washington, who also managed the AL All-Star team in 2011. You only have so much that you can do and you try to do the best with what you have to do. You cant please everyone.

You got to move on. Thats just life, theres nothing you can do about it. Im certainly not going to apologize for what we put together. We tried to do the best we could.

Making things especially interesting is that Pierzynski and Washington are in the same stadium for the next three days.

Pierzynski said hes known Washington for a while and got to know him a little better during the Rangers run to the AL pennant last season while working for FOX Sports. But he had no plans to confront Washington regarding the perceived snub.

I will say hello to him -- Ive known him for a long time, Pierzynski said. Ill wish him luck and thats it.

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