Constant grinder

[RME JICO]

Constant grinder

Sox's Konerko relishes spring as chance to hone swing

 

By Mark Gonzales

Tribune staff reporter

Published March 31, 2006

 

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Spring training in Tucson might seem like an eternity, but White Sox cleanup hitter Paul Konerko welcomed his five-week stay.

 

"I'm definitely one of those guys who, like it or not, need all of spring training to be ready," Konerko said as the Sox ended the Arizona portion of spring training Thursday with a 10-inning 3-3 tie against Colorado.

 

"No question I need all the at-bats I can get."

 

That included a crash course Wednesday in a minor-league game against the Diamondbacks. Konerko said he benefited from six at-bats against Arizona sinkerball ace Brandon Webb.

 

"He will make you uncomfortable with his sinker if you get things out of whack," Konerko said. "He's not the easiest guy to square up. You have to get your act together to face a guy like that."

 

Konerko followed the same route as Jim Thome, who returned from a three-day session against minor-leaguers to hit six home runs in a five-day span.

 

The addition of Thome should give the Sox offense a blend of speed and power with Scott Podsednik and Tadahito Iguchi setting things up for Thome, Konerko and Jermaine Dye.

 

"I think it will be like the offenses we had a few years ago," said Konerko, who has hit 203 homers in seven seasons with the Sox. "It can be like those offenses as far as putting up the big offensive numbers everyone looks at—average and home runs.

 

"But I also think this team plays the game smarter than those teams. If we don't have it, we can play for a run [like last season]. A couple of years ago, [it seemed] we had to hit homers all the time. If we didn't, it was a quick game.

 

This team recognizes we [sometimes] have to dig down and go for baserunners and hits and other games we can let it fly."

 

The brief minor-league stint helped Konerko regain his stroke and strength after battling a stomach virus for three days.

 

"The thing that makes Paul special is that he understands his swing," batting coach Greg Walker said. "He changes some things during the course of the year, but they're with a purpose.

 

"One of the young players asked, 'How can Konerko make so many changes. Why does he change?' It's because he knows what he wants and how to get it. He's not thinking, 'I'll move my hands here to see if it works or do a leg kick for the heck of it.' He's doing it with a purpose because he knows the spots he has to get to to hit."

 

Konerko's attention to detail has made a favorable impression on Thome, who is 5½ years older.

 

"He has made me feel comfortable, and he does that with other guys," said Thome, who turns 36 in August. "It's not the reason why he's the captain.

 

"That kind of explains himself. He's such a team guy. I don't think he wanted to be individualized, but he is in a very good way because of his leadership qualities."

 

Konerko has maintained the same workmanlike qualities despite re-signing with the Sox for five years and $60 million, being anointed team captain by manager Ozzie Guillen and being dubbed "the King" by his teammates.

 

He hasn't gotten too wrapped up in feeling better about his swing with the regular-season opener approaching.

 

"I've had years where I've had a great spring the whole way and other springs where it was off and on, like this spring," said Konerko, who batted .302 but struck out 13 times in 63 at-bats.

 

"I've had some good at-bats for hits and the numbers aren't bad, but I didn't like other at-bats. But the suspense about Opening Day is the same.

 

"You never know what's going to happen when the season starts."

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...i-sportsnew-hed