Ed Condron

Juan Pierre can still hear Phillies fans taunts in his head.

The pint-sized outfielder, who tormented the Phillies with his speed and small ball skills during the last decade, got an earful from the Phillies faithful every time he played center or left field for the Marlins or Dodgers.

"You could hear them," Pierre said. "Phillies fans would call you every name in the book. They would call me Juanita. It wasn't so bad when I was in center but when I played left at Citizens Bank Park, they're so close to you. They're just past the shrubbery and the roses in those little gardens past the fence. You pretend you don't hear them but I heard them."

Pierre hopes to hear the fans this season while wearing red pinstripes. The scrappy Pierre is vying for the fifth outfielder spot.

"I would love to play for this team," Pierre said. "They play the game the right way. You look at how Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley and Shane Victorino play. It's the way everyone should play. It's no wonder this team has been so successful over the years."

Pierre, who stole 68 bases for the Chicago White Sox in 2010, is very comfortable in the clubhouse. Throughout the early days of spring, he's usually chatting with his locker neighbor Jimmy Rollins and longtime friend and former teammate Dontrelle Willis, who is also trying to make the team.

"Dontrelle and I are as good a friends as there can be," Pierre said. "Jimmy and I broke into the big leagues at the same time and we were the same kind of players until he started popping home runs."

Perhaps the patient Pierre could help the Phillies by getting on base and stealing bases in 2012.

"That's my game," Pierre said. "I think I have something to offer this team but the Phillies won 102 games last season. Whatever ball they played last year, long ball, small ball, worked. This is a team that's going to have a great season whether I make this team or not. I think you have to be foolish to underestimate this team when you look at the talent and what this team has done over recent years. I've respected this team from the other dugout for many years and now I'm in their clubhouse."

"It's great. I really think I can help out and make a difference and it would be so much fun to be part of it. I'm already having a great time and we're just at the start of Spring Training. I'm loving this. Who wouldn't want to play for this ballclub? It's filled with great players, who are not only incredibly talented but they're great guys. I couldn't be more comfortable than I am right now."

 

 

 

Juan Pierre Bids for Spot on Phils