mariotti badmouthed tony and tried to steal his job, hence wilbon's utter glee

Isn't that the head shot of the fat guy from "The Practice"?

"Remember Stewie-do not sit next to uncle Jay Mariotti at the picnic. Just stay away from him altogether. Under no circumstances should he be allowed to touch you." Seriously, this dude looks dangerous. Gonna have to run his name through the states child-molester list. I mean really-that is some serious molester-hair.

Mariotti is a lowlife and needs to be bludgeoned with a tree trunk.

It's really the little things that make Deadspin what it is...like the title of that Mariotti picture. That made my day.

I was at a restaurant during this and couldn't hear the TV. What was Woody Paige saying about it? Moriotti kept laughing while others were talking. Sox fans freaked out, and anyone with a media connection put a spin on the whole thing, calling Barrett baseball's "Ron Artest." Ron Santo said that AJ's slapping the plate and leaning toward Barrett to get his helmet made them both at fault. Fuck it . Barrett got a long suspension and he socked the shit out of two players. AJ is that rich dufus in high school named Biff we all hated. I don't care, we're all men, sometimes we're in a fucking bad mood, Barrett didn't get away with anything, Sox fans just keep on whining. The fact that AJ is calling out a freaking news reporter shows his character right there. And believe it or not Barrett grew up a Sox fan.

Best part of Mariotti's column: "This is what happens when you have a reputation...openly court media attention, when you've pretty much been a rabble-rouser since exiting the womb with a smart-aleck grin." Is he talking about Pierzynski or himself? A douchebag of the highest order that Jay Mariotti.

I hope they ask Mariotti on "Around the Horn" about this incident.

Marriotti licks the sweat off a dead dog's ballz.

Great call, Big Daddy! I was going to type the same plus add that he was David Berkowitz in the Spike Lee masterpiece "Son o' Sam"--or maybe it was Mariotti

I have a few buddies who are Medill alums who work in the sports journalism field and they have to smirk when Mariotti goes on one of his glee sprees regarding scandal at NU. You can almost see his rejection letter hovering overhead as he types. Oh, and did anyone else see that the Women's Lacrosse Final Four is Northwestern vs. Duke in the one semi. It's scandalriffic (even if neither team is embroiled in scandal themselves.)

Agreed Masher- that pic and headline are PERFECT. What a loser.

The Mariottis of the world upset me. There's at least 2 dozen Deadspin commenters who could do that job better. And, I'm guessing you all have better looking mullets than THAT. I'm afraid to contribute any more, because then Jay Mariotti will have consumed more than 90 seconds of my day.

The sad thing is that I will still take 5 Marriotis over 1 Skip Bayless. Seriously why does ESPN hire these people.

Speaking of Cubs-Sox ... The two games last night really were symbolic of the path the two teams are heading on: The day after the Cubbies roared back against the ChiSox to avoid the humbling sweep, the Cubs capitalize on their emotional come-from-behind victory by getting destroyed by one of the worst teams in the league. To make matters worse, they were shut down by Ricky Nolasco (who threw 7 innings of one-run ball), one of the three prospects sent to Florida for the hitting prowess (.240) of Juan Pierre. On the South Side meanwhile, the Sox hosted the return of the franchise's best hitter, with the fans giving him a standing ovation before watching him launch a few more HRs in the Cell. And then, spotting a 4-2 lead to the Billy Beaners, the Sox came back to tie it in the 8th, before a bunt single (learn anything, Neifi?) won the game for the Non-Moneyballers. I wonder how Mariotti will spin this. (See how I brought it all back around to the topic with that sentence? It's called dynamic writing, people!)

The fact that AJ is calling out a freaking news reporter shows his character right there. I'm sorry, but isn't somebody calling somebody out every day of the week in professional sports? I see how irritating AJ can be to non-Sox fans but jeez, I'm just a little sissy girl and I would call Marriotti out in the media. At least some Sox fans derive pleasure from AJ. I don't think anybody derives pleasure from Marriotti.

soccer- because they can (apparently that's enough for espn head honchos)

Jay Mariotti is unfit to hold Skip Bayless's Jock strap. This puts him a step below the Wallmart greeter and two steps above The Son of Sam.

Soccergo9- It's a very simple answer to your question. The Marriotis, Baylesses, Paiges, Screamin' A's, all have one thing in common: Love them or hate them, you know who they are and you know they are on ESPN. There is no such thing as bad publicity, right now, we're sitting here discussing guys like Marrioti, and even if we're dissing him, we're still talking about him. The classic example of this: David Aldridge vs. Stephen A. Smith. Substance vs. flash. ESPN's made their choice, and truth be told, if you asked them, I know that they're pretty comfortable with it, even if we're not.

Kornheiser, of course, is for some reason beyond reproach around here in any discussion of ESPN's obnoxious personalities. And I am not saying he is better or worse than of these other names for the purposes of this post.

P33 gets it right (above). For the fact that we're even discussing this total douche, blame ESPN -- but reserve a special hatred for the ineptitude and tight-fisted Chicago Tribune management -- for Jay Mariotti's improbable, by-attrition assumption of whatever Chicago 'sportswriter of record' title there might be. Good thing nobody actually reads the Sun-Times, making Mariotti the Natalie Maines of his field.

Maybe A.J. Pierzynski and Kerry Wood can help bring about peace in Chicago by rallying the city behind a common enemy: http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:eMTyAHcEja8J:www.chic...

At least Jay informed me, twice, that Michael Barrett is a God-fearing sucker puncher. I would hate for a heathen to do such a thing, it would have been so Christ-like.

"Hiney Bird" (hi-nee burd) n. A bird that flies in perfectly executed concentric circles until it flies up his own behind and disappears forever [syn.: see Jay Mariotti] [Descriptive phrase coined by K. Harrelson.]

I'm going to TiVo Around the Horn. I never thought I'd say that.

Hey Supperclub, What, no comment regarding Ryan Dempster calling out Chicago radio guy Mike North for "misquoting" him regarding Joey Cora allegedly "biting" a Cub or Ozzie's kids being on the field during Saturday's melee? Or what about the '04 Cub team that blamed announcers Steve Stone and Chip Caray for the fact that they sucked ass. Hmmmm, betting your one of those typical candy ass Cub fans from Iowa who still blames Bartman for the Game 6 meltdown in '03. Maybe if Jim Hendry and Andy McFail would sign "character" guys like AJ instead of whiners like Barrett, Zambrano or Mark "Just Ducky" Prior, the Cub would actually start winning games. Until then, I guess you will just suck on the fact that the Sox won the World Series and like it. (That Joey Eischen paraphrase never gets old.)

Mariotti, Bayless, and their ilk are just corporate sponsored trolls. Plain and simple.

Wait a sec, Peter, were you being ironic when you called Pierzynski a "character" guy? It's hard to tell through all the vitriol. C'mon, folks, let's keep it above the belt when we're talking about anybody who doesn't work for ESPN.

I'm basically clueless about sports teams' reactions to media. I don't pay attention. I do remember the Steve Stone thing, and to me that was more Dusty being a racist against Jews. (sarcasm) yes, steve stone is Jewish. Let the conspiracy theories begin. The media is powerful, and Stone is so smart that he didn't have any idea what he was doing by being honest! The Cubs made very strange, idiotic coaching decisions. I don't read sports writers or newspapers. I get all of my sports information from Yahoo Fantasy, message boards, Deadspin, and ESPN headlines. Sad, but the game of getting caught up in the media/players war is boring to me. I still don't know what Mariotti said and am clueless about everyone hating him. I'm learning today, however, but I must ask, how did he score a panel on Around the Horn? I love Steve Stone, FYI. He needs to get his ass in here and do something. He's way too smart to not coach or be a general manager. Yes, I know, a lot of people think he's an ass.

The post above was to Peter Buck. And please know I don't hate the Sox just because I'm a Cubs fan. But I have to say, I have always wondered what would happen with attendance if you put the Cell and Wrigley next door to each other. Cubs have a mystique I can't explain. Call it Pavlov's dog, I've been going since I was six.

"I love Steve Stone, FYI. He needs to get his ass in here and do something. He's way too smart to not coach or be a general manager. Yes, I know, a lot of people think he's an ass." He is extremely arrogant and opinionated--almost like an Ozzie Guillen that can talk real nice english-- why I believe he would make an excellent G.M. maybe throw Brenley in there as manager... ..too bad Cubs brass hate Steve Stone.

I'd post something about the Sox affinity for "character guys" like Bobby "fat, drunk and stupid" Jenks, A.J. Pierzynski, Roberto Alomar's saliva gland and Jurassic Carl Everett, but I have to call the police. Kenny Williams' sons are in the parking lot breaking into my car.

isn't kornheiser doing Monday Night Football this fall?

My bf and I were driving in from out of town yesterday and listened to more of the Score than I probably had ever in my entire life. I heard some little thingie about Cubs management going after Paul Sullivan, the Trib Cubs beat reporter. Does anybody know more about this or was this just the stuff of Joey Cora's foot fetish?

making Mariotti the Natalie Maines of his field. Yeah, cause it's not like the Dixie Chicks have the number one album on Amazon right now or anything. Wait. They do.

First off, I am in no way defnding Mariotti. he's a too much make-up wearing blow hard. Having said that, Pierzynski is a jerk. He cries like a girl when it comes to balls and strikes. And then this: Spring training 2004. Pierzynski, crouched behind the plate, took a pitch to the nuts. Trainer Stan Conte asks him how he felt. "Like this!" Pierzynski grunted, then savagely kneed Conte in the balls. He deserved everything Michael "I Didn't Have the Ball Bitch" Barrett gave him.

Zulkey, Hendry called Sullivan into his office and went off on him saying he's been too negative in his coverage of the team this year.

zulkey: these two sites are good for breaking news and rumors, but right now I haven't heard anything. more fans need to bitch about the dusty contract renewal. http://www.prosportsdaily.com/mlb/mlbrumors.html http://www.onestopbaseball.com/

Zulkes: This can all be explained (spinned) by following this tasty link: http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_whats...

Dempster called out the weak Mike North (a Sox fan) on Chicago sports talk radio about his instigation of Ozzie Guillen with bogus Dempster quotes. Guillen eventually apologized to Dempster. As for AJ, as Wolf said in Pulp Fiction, just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

for some unabashed mariotti hate, check out this site: www.jaythejoke.com

Dweeze tell me you are not throwing down for the Dixie Chicks. Is this a sports site or the national association of panty wearing men website.

Josh Q: Lemme guess, you heard that from Mariotti. Just so you know, that story was never confirmed true.

The classic example of this: David Aldridge vs. Stephen A. Smith. Substance vs. flash. Damn I miss David Aldridge.

So it's actually true? I thought the Score must have been reporting it wrong. Very nice. That's the Cubs' problem: unflattering coverage. What is Sully supposed to report on--the attendance? If I were a Cubs fan I would be enraged--why don't the owners take a few risks with the team? It can't hurt, that's for sure. What is this post about again?

Pierzynski grunted Oh come now. He didn't murmur? Or whisper? Or mumble? Or mutter? Or trill? Or hiss? Or shriek? Just because A.J. sort of looks piggish doesn't mean he sounds like one too.

Ah, I love all the anger about AJP. Here's the bottom line -- everyone complaining about him would absolutely love him if he were playing for their team. Sox fans know this, because he drove everyone nuts when he was with the Twins, and we all hated him (though the hate for AJP doesn't come close to how we all feel about Torii Hunter). Here's some semi-relevant facts as to one reason fans like him: Team division finish with AJP as primary catcher: 2nd, 1st (ALCS loss), 1st, 2nd, 1st (WS Champs). Likely 1st or 2nd again this year. Obviously, it's not a direct cause-and-effect, but it is odd that he's played as the primary catcher for 3 teams in the last 6 years and never finished worse than 2nd, three of five full seasons on division champs. Just because Brett Tomko thinks he's a jackass doesn't mean he's a bad teammate when guys such as David Ortiz, Konerko, Buerhle, and others who can actually play credibly love(d) him as a teammate.

well said, Iron Chef. Plus, Sox fans are not afraid to hate on their own kind (see Frank Thomas). We know A.J. is an agitator but more importantly the other players seem to like him and he produces.

Um, no. If you want a guy who everyone hates for other teams but would love if they were on their own, look at Andres Nocioni of the Bulls, who plays hard, is a rebounding machine, can hit 3s like crazy, and has a ridiculously bogus rep as a dirty player due to an incident with Tayshaun Prince that was an accident. As a Cubs fan I can say in full confidence that I would despise AJ Pierzynski if he was a Cub. I'd like when he got hits because he'd be on my team, but I would despise him. He is a complete and total douchebag. And maybe it's just because the other panelists on ATH are even more retarded, but I like Mariotti more the more I watch that show. He's the only panelist that understands the stupidity of Dusty Baker and Jim Hendry, and he's the only panelist that understands the level of douchebaggery AJ Pierzynski stoops to. And while we're here, the White Sox have a 3B coach that bites people, the 2nd most despised player in the sport catching, a manager that averages 10 f-bombs per sentence and is always looking for a fight, a GM who openly calls players "fucking idiots", and fans that have beaten up a first base coach and first base ump on one occasion apiece. Not to mention, their fans have the most bogus inferiority complex in the history of crosstown rivalry towards the Cubs. How do the Baseball Gods decide this is title-worthy?

I am a Giants fan. Pierzynski has played for my team. I don't want him back nor did I enjoy him and his approximately 500 DP grounders while he was here. I would take back Nathan, Liriano, and Boof back though. Grrr, those names get the same reaction from me that I imagine Kazmir gets from a Mets fan.

Bleacher Bum: Seems to me, from the ranting nature of your post, that the little "inferiority complex" you mentioned might have found a new home on the North Side. Winning championships puts an end to a lot of things.

I didnt realize there so many aj lovers on here. hey zulkey did you cry when vito got his on sunday.

Josh, fortunately, I was out of town and didn't listen to/watch the game. I was talking about the AJP hate with my mom and we noted it's more palatable for us since there are overall not that many personalities on the roster itself. I mean I love the guys but they're not a bunch of pistols or anything.

Rick, I have no inferiority complex. Our team sucks, the Sox don't. There's nothing to have a complex about because we ARE inferior. And the worst part is that no one seems to realize that the Cubs coaches' ridiculous hatred of walks and OBP is mostly to blame. I still have non-Cubs fans telling me I am wrong about Dusty and that he is a miracle worker even though the Cubs are 5-19 since 4/28/06. What the hell kind of miracles are they talking about?

Wow, the guy who wrote this diary on Bleed Cubbie Blue did a really good job.

I will gladly state that I am hardly ever a knowledgable, or even sober commentator, but that nonetheless, I could take on Mariotti and, aside from the sobriety test, could countermand him on any issue, as long as it doesn't deal with soccer since, well, goddamn, I'm not honestly expected to have any knowledge on that right? Bring it on, Jay, you punk-ass bitch/hack.