Chicago White Sox

White Sox Without Konerko?

By abaseballnut on | From baseballticketsonline.org

It might seem empty without him…

Paul Konerko is thinking that he might not be back with the White Sox after this season because his contract expires at the end of the year. Something kind of feels weird about Paul Konerko NOT wearing a White Sox uniform. He’s the stalwart that has weathered many a storm in Chicago and was able to TRULY appreciate that Championship parade in 2005. Nothing could have been more fulfilling, and I’m sure he was glad that he stuck around.

However, he must also understand the business of baseball because he knows he might not be back next year. Is there a guy in sports that is allowed to hang around because he’s a hometown favorite or a stalwart of the team that the fans love? Is Paul Konerko one of those guys?

If you take into account that the White Sox are sort of a “small market” team, then you might want to take into account that he is a good draw for regular fans. However, because they are “small market” they really don’t have any time to give away a season to allow older guys to hang around. I think Konerko understands this too.

I have no routing interest in the White Sox, but I still feel strange thinking of watching the White Sox without Konerko and/or watching him play in another uniform. He’s a nice player, but not a Hall of Famer. He’s good for the Sox, but not Babe Ruthian. How do you measure someone like Konerko?

In his steadfastness. He’s stayed with the White Sox through thick and thin and a few tirades from Ozzie. That is to be commended, but if the White Sox move on they had better tell Kenny Williams to find a replacement for Konerko.

If they can’t replicate Konerko then they’re in for a dry spell. A big one.