CHICAGO (AFP) — The Chicago White Sox on Saturday inked catcher A.J. Pierzynski to a two-year, 12.5-million-dollar contract extension.
Pierzynski, who is hitting .263 with 14 home runs and 50 RBI in 136 games for Chicago in 2007, will be paid 6.25 million dollars each year from 2009-10.
The 30-year-old Pierzynski ranks third among American League catchers in games played and is tied for fifth in home runs. He also owns a current 89-game errorless streak.
Pierzynski, who still has one year left on a three-year deal he signed with the White Sox on December 19, 2005, has a career batting average of .284 with 85 home runs and 440 RBI in 965 games.
The two-time AL All-Star (2002, 2006) has played for the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and the White Sox. In three seasons with Chicago, Pierzynski has batted .272 with 48 homers and 170 RBI.
The 10-year veteran set a White Sox record for catchers with 150 hits in 2006, and hit a career-high 18 home runs in 2005. He also set an AL record with 962 consecutive errorless chances accepted from April 18, 2005-May 19, 2006, breaking Yogi Berra's mark of 950 set between 1957-59.
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