After the dust settled from yesterday's Windy City brawl, Cub's catcher Michael Barrett stands alone atop the bad guy pedestal. Barrett and manager Dusty Baker have admitted A.J. Pierzynski was playing within baseball's rules when he bowled over Barrett while scoring what turned out to be the game winning run in the White Sox' 7-0 win Saturday. Barrett was dejected and embarrassed after the game and confessed his regret. Pierzynski has the reputation of a fire-bellied instigator, but actually, he's unlucky. His hustle and "win or die trying" attitude have unfortunately put him in the middle of controversy but he didn't deserve to get punched in the face following the home plate collision. Even after slapping the base with his hand-a move Barrett didn't even witness since he was still on his back-and walking towards the Cub's dugout to retrieve his batting helmet, Pierzynski couldn't have expected a swift introduction to Barrett's fist. Barrett said he thought Pierzynski was coming after him. If so, he didn't have to throw the first punch. Pierzynski claims he said nothing to Barrett (replays of the fight substantiate this claim), but Barrett took the first swing anyway. Pierzynski won't win any sympathy for his role as a victim in this fight, but Barrett's slate isn't necessarily sparkling clean either. He has instigated similar incidents the past two years against Houston's Roy Oswalt and San Diego's Dave Roberts. A fiery athlete himself, Barrett has a temper problem while Pierzynski often seems to find himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. I understand Barrett's frustration; playing for a fifth-place team at eight games under .500 and 10.5 games out of first place, Pierzynski's rough toppling over him was the final spark that set him off. Starting a fight was not the way to handle it, however. After the league has time to review the incident, I expect a suspension and fine of approximately 8 games and $15,000. A.J. Pierzynski gets nothing.