southsider2k5 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/sox-drawer/...&feedID=661 Sox Drawer: Konerko close to retirement? January 29, 2012, 3:59 pm At age 35, Paul Konerko had another terrific season in 2011. But once his numbers start to decline, he says he's content to hang up the spikes and walk away. (US PRESSWIRE) CHUCK GARFIEN Every baseball player has his own shelf life in this game. Some know when their time is up. Others stick around long past their prime. For Paul Konerko, his mind and body will know exactly when it's time to retire, and it might come sooner than you think. Konerko has two years remaining on his contract, and while he's focused on having another big season for the White Sox, he gave his first hint that 2013 might be his last in a big league uniform. "No doubt it could be," Konerko said in an interview with Comcast SportsNet. "Yeah, in all reality I would see it ending after next year or maybe another year. I mean, at some point you got to go home and be around your kids and have other things to do." At a time when most players see their hitting numbers decline, Konerko has been exactly the opposite. The 13-year veteran has had a career renaissance in his mid-30s, especially in the last two seasons in which he has averaged 35 home runs and 108 RBIs. Can he keep up that pace at age 36 and 37? That's a mystery. Will he continue playing the moment he sees his skills diminish? That isn't. "There's obviously this year and I have another year left on the contract, and I would not have signed up for that if I didn't think I could pull it off," Konerko said. "But at that point I'll be 38 years old going into the following year. If someone wants me, and I'm willing to do the work it takes through the offseason, and through spring training and through the year, then I would be willing to play. "But if any of those things don't exist, I would never just play to say, 'Well, this team wants me and I can kind of hang on for another year and kind of go through the motions here,'" Konerko explained. "I have to be doing what I know it takes for me to play. Otherwise, it's not for me. I have to do the crazy amounts of preparation. It has to be there. If I'm not willing to do all the grind, then I've got some other things I'd like to do." When Konerko does retire, he will be sorely missed. Not just for his play and leadership, but for his keen perspective on the game. Few people see things the way he does. Even fewer can actually articulate them. Let's start with the lost season of 2011: "I don't think there was a moment last year from the word go where at anytime did we feel like, 'This is kind of special' or 'This is inspiring baseball.' There's always going to be a couple teams every year that has that happen to them, and unfortunately we were one of them," Konerko said. "You'd be hard-pressed to find four or five days in a row where it felt like things were starting to go. We'd have two or three maybe. That was the most we ever had. It was a grind. It was not what you're looking for." If the 2011 regular season was bad, the current offseason appears to be worse. The Sox have lost Mark Buehrle, Sergio Santos and Carlos Quentin, and have question marks replacing all three of them. Fans and media sense utter doom. What does Konerko think? "If I was one of the options, then Robin was a heck of a hire!” -- Paul Konerko. "The only time I have won a World Series, the offseason leading up to it was kind of similar to this where there were a lot people not happy with the moves that were made. A lot of people saying, 'What did we do this for?' And then we went out had a great year and won a World Series. I'm not saying that's going to happen again, but I always keep that in the back of my mind. Anytime you think on paper something is supposed to happen the next year." Many thought the playoffs would happen for the Sox last year. Clearly that didn't happen. They got off to that terrible 11-22 start and finished 16 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. Excitement and attendance nose-dived, leaving the franchise stumbling to get back on its feet. For the fans to return, Konerko knows exactly what the White Sox need to do: Win. "It's kind of like we're starting fresh. We're really like at zero, and we have to build it back up and earn people's, the fans' trust to come back out and see us. The whole thing," Konerko said. "We're kind of just starting out at square one again, but that doesn't mean that you're conceding anything. I just think it means you're looking to get a fresh change, and just start everything all over again." That means taking baby steps forward, starting with Opening Day in Texas on April 6. For the White Sox to make it back, Konerko believes it will have to be a slow, methodical climb throughout the season. "I think for us, I think we should focus more on small goals. We're going to start off playing meaningful games Opening Day and let's just see how long we can be playing meaningful games. Not say that we're going to make the playoffs, not say we're going to do this or that. Let's just see how long we can play the game right, and stay in the mix, and if it gets to September or August, and we're in the mix, then great. Just start off with more smaller thoughts about how we're going to do everything is my opinion." You wonder why Kenny Williams actually considered making Konerko the White Sox player-manager this season? This is why. So what did Konerko think when he heard that idea? He chose to take the humorous, sarcastic route. "I know that when they hired Robin [Ventura] everybody was like, 'Robin was a great big league player,' and what I'm hearing about his experience is that he coached his son's high school team for a while. That's his experience at managing or coaching. And then it comes out that they were considering hiring me as player/manager. Then you look at Robin and you say, 'That was a great choice,' because if I was one of the options, then Robin was a heck of a hire!" But would Konerko ever consider managing? "I'm probably going to be like Robin 10 years ago and say I'll never manage," Konerko said. And then you'll manage? "I don't know about that." What we do know is that Konerko's playing time is running out. Knowing Paul, he's going to make the best of what's left and walk proudly into the sunset. Few players leave the game just before their expiration date. Konerko seems poised to be one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Philips Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 08:33 AM) http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/sox-drawer/...&feedID=661 We've known about his bad hip hampering his running ability while last year anothe leg injury slowed him down further. Pk continues to be one of the best hitters in mlb I have to wonder if his hips and legs may be the reason he will eventually retire . Edited January 30, 2012 by forrestg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eminor3rd Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 That's cool. I don't like the thought of having to dread Zombie Konerko coming to the plate. Probably good news for VIciedo too, who will proably end up taking over 1B. Doesn't sound like he's going to try to part-time it to stretch it to 500 homeruns or anything. Which is probably good -- I mean, I'd love to see him in the HOF, but he seems like the kind of guy that would be one of the posterchildren for the impending new wave of guys that have some 'automatic' milestones but aren't getting in, like Johnny Damon. But that's alright. I'm sure he'll be content with a statue and ceremony at USCF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 10:55 AM) Doesn't sound like he's going to try to part-time it to stretch it to 500 homeruns or anything. Which is probably good -- I mean, I'd love to see him in the HOF, but he seems like the kind of guy that would be one of the posterchildren for the impending new wave of guys that have some 'automatic' milestones but aren't getting in, like Johnny Damon. It's an iffy assumption I grant, but if he keeps up this current level of production, he'd have to play 2 years beyond his current contract to hit 500. He's at 396 right now, so if he keeps hitting 30 a year like he has almost every year, he'd get there. If he were to have similar campaigns the next 2 years, he'd be in the 460 range, and if he's coming off a good season, a 1 year contract as a DH either here or somewhere else would make a lot of sense, depending on what happens to that other DH on the roster. If he gets to the 480 range, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he pushes it 1 more year to see if that number can be reached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Last player manager we had was Don Kessinger I think. That was a different time, but didn't work out well. However, Paulie is aspecial player and man. Maybe one day he wil manage, but I am guessing two more years of playing time and maybe another two as a DH, if he would do that. Hopefully all those yeasr in a Sox uniform Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 09:55 AM) That's cool. I don't like the thought of having to dread Zombie Konerko coming to the plate. Probably good news for VIciedo too, who will proably end up taking over 1B. Doesn't sound like he's going to try to part-time it to stretch it to 500 homeruns or anything. Which is probably good -- I mean, I'd love to see him in the HOF, but he seems like the kind of guy that would be one of the posterchildren for the impending new wave of guys that have some 'automatic' milestones but aren't getting in, like Johnny Damon. But that's alright. I'm sure he'll be content with a statue and ceremony at USCF. What automatic milestone does Johnny Damon have? You mean if he gets to 3,000? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hibbard Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Realistically, he will probably have a much more precipitous decline than most, because of his injury history and his lack of versatility/speed. Good on him for (hopefully) knowing when to hang it up. If he does it at the right time, he will probably be remembered much more fondly, and I think he also knows that. My second favorite player of the Williams era (after Buehrle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I, for one, am truly worried about Konerko's hip hindering his ability to run. He's nothing without his wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 60 Homers shy of breaking Frank's All-Time record. I think he could do that in 2 years and call it a career and retire as a White Sox player.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisoxfan09 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 The thing is though even if this is a specific PK thread both Buerhle and Paulie will always be loved in Chicago for the way they played the game. Both are and will always be CLASS ACTS in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quin Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Paulie will win another World Series on the South Side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOXOBAMA Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 This is the reason why I would like to see PK traded, by the time the Sox get good again in a few years, PK will be gone. We need to add many young players into this organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Maybe we can get Alex Smith. He's one of the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elrockinMT Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 05:18 PM) I, for one, am truly worried about Konerko's hip hindering his ability to run. He's nothing without his wheels. Yes, he is a speed demon for sure rivaling even Juan Piere and Tim Raines and Lance Johnson Edited January 30, 2012 by elrockinMT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 PK statue worthy? That seems like an easy one. I'd also like to see MB and possibly AJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSoxFan Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 MB and PK statues are no-brainers. And AJ too? Fine with me? Although arguably I think some of them are already on the WS sculpture out front, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 QUOTE (Tex @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 03:18 PM) PK statue worthy? That seems like an easy one. I'd also like to see MB and possibly AJ. I'm down with PK and MB. The Buehrle one seems like a no brainer. Perfectos don't grow on trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 04:35 PM) I'm down with PK and MB. The Buehrle one seems like a no brainer. Perfectos don't grow on trees. The only issue is whether we give M-56 his statue before he retires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Buehrle and Konerko are both no brainers for a statue. AJ? No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 03:37 PM) Buehrle and Konerko are both no brainers for a statue. AJ? No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eminor3rd Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 10:41 AM) What automatic milestone does Johnny Damon have? You mean if he gets to 3,000? Yes, 3000 hits. He seems to have roughly the same chance for 3000 as PK has for 500. Edited January 30, 2012 by Eminor3rd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty34 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Seems every year since '05 the Sox have guys planning retirements or looking to move on. Guillen, Buehrle, Williams, Konerko. There's something not right about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I would not be down with AJ getting a statue, if he got one than we might as well give them to everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eminor3rd Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 QUOTE (GoodAsGould @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 05:45 PM) I would not be down with AJ getting a statue, if he got one than we might as well give them to everyone. Yeah, no AJ statue for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 30, 2012 -> 03:37 PM) The only issue is whether we give M-56 his statue before he retires. We retired Baines uniform while he was an active player with another team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.