Mariotti Now Universally Acclaimed As Lazy, Slobbish, Gassy

It's tough to decide whom to dislike more: White Sox catcher AJ Pierzynski or Chicago Sun-Times and "Around The Horn" gasbag Jay Mariotti. Particularly if you're a Cubs fan. After the big interleague tussle last weekend, Pierzynski was on "Pardon The Interruption" yesterday and went after Mariotti full-bore:

[Pierzynski says] "Your guy Jay Mariotti wrote an article about me the other day saying how it was all my fault. So Jay, here's an open invitation to come to the clubhouse and say 'hello' to me. If you want to write an article about me, then come speak to me face-to-face."

Both Kornheiser and Wilbon immediately burst into laughter, with Tony responding, "He's not my guy!" and Wilbon jibing at his cohort, "Tony will love that!"

Pierzynski added that as far as he knew, Mariotti had never been inside the White Sox' clubhouse. Tony Reali (aka 'Stat Boy') did not deny that fact near the show's finish, but did say that Mariotti was in the interview room when Pierzynski was speaking to the press after the game.

Putting aside, for a moment, that what we've always thought — both Kornheiser and Wilbon know full well Mariotti is a talentless hack — we can understand Pierzynski's (and other Chicago athletes') dilemma. On one hand, it must be frustrating to be constantly attacked by someone who calls himself a journalist but never deigns to ask a question, research a fact or do much of anything but apply pancake makeup. On the other hand ... jeezus, who wants to talk to Jay Mariotti?

AJ Pierzynski vs. Jay Mariotti: Evil Versus Pure Evil [Bleed Cubbie Blue]