Konerko to address media this afternoon

[Dick Allen]

Well it's after noon. What's the story?

Paulie said he and the Sox agreed to a 3 year extension and that he hoped he will be able to end his career with the White Sox. He also said Adam Dunn has been given a no trade clause, Hector Santiago is headed back to the bullpen, Alejandro De Aza is signed to an extension through his arb years and first year of eligible free agency, and that Greg Walker would be returning as the hitting coach in 2014.

[southsider2k5]

Paulie said he and the Sox agreed to a 3 year extension and that he hoped he will be able to end his career with the White Sox. He also said Adam Dunn has been given a no trade clause, Hector Santiago is headed back to the bullpen, Alejandro De Aza is signed to an extension through his arb years and first year of eligible free agency, and that Greg Walker would be returning as the hitting coach in 2014.

 

So nothing.

[greg775]

If it were nothing, then why even call it? What gain is there? Why not wait until the season is over in a few days? Something's definitely up. He's either announcing this is his last year with the Sox, or he's flat out retiring.

 

You call it because everybody wants to talk to him this weekend about his future plans and he might as well do it on one day for all the media so a.) nobody gets any scoop and b.) he gets it over with and doesn't have to repeat himself 15 times.

 

Everybody wants things cut and dried. Paul Konerko is hitting .250ish. He has never told the media about his physical problems, he's never made excuses. He deserves a chance to assess his body, which is what I believe it comes down to. If he's going to remain banged up and only capable of .245, .250 and 8-10 homers he'll probably reluctantly quit.

My vibe as a total Paulie lover is he wants to keep going. I know that disappoints some of you who want him to go out somewhat on top, but if he's healthy, he's coming back. That's my take and I'm sticking with it.

[Leonard Zelig]

Paulie said he and the Sox agreed to a 3 year extension and that he hoped he will be able to end his career with the White Sox. He also said Adam Dunn has been given a no trade clause, Hector Santiago is headed back to the bullpen, Alejandro De Aza is signed to an extension through his arb years and first year of eligible free agency, and that Greg Walker would be returning as the hitting coach in 2014.

So the season isn't a total disappointment!?!??!

[Dick Allen]

You call it because everybody wants to talk to him this weekend about his future plans and he might as well do it on one day for all the media so a.) nobody gets any scoop and b.) he gets it over with and doesn't have to repeat himself 15 times.

 

Everybody wants things cut and dried. Paul Konerko is hitting .250ish. He has never told the media about his physical problems, he's never made excuses. He deserves a chance to assess his body, which is what I believe it comes down to. If he's going to remain banged up and only capable of .245, .250 and 8-10 homers he'll probably reluctantly quit.

My vibe as a total Paulie lover is he wants to keep going. I know that disappoints some of you who want him to go out somewhat on top, but if he's healthy, he's coming back. That's my take and I'm sticking with it.

Not bad for someone who only fired a 32 on his ACT.

[greg775]

Sad to see him go even though he definitely should.

 

Very sad, but I don't think he's going anywhere. Even if somehow the Sox pull off a miraculous recovery and compete next year with Abreu, look at it this way, Paulie, Abreu and Dunn can platoon between DH and 1B.

If Paulie is healthy and rocking, he can play first and Dunn/Abreu can platoon at DH. If Paulie stinks, he can platoon just with Dunn and let Abreu play every single day. We owe Dunn nothing in his final year of his deal. We owe Paulie the right to end on his own terms. I personally think the guy knows he can still play the game of baseball. Whether the Sox let him do it in Chicago or he goes somewhere else, we shall see. He's not gonna retire (unless his injuries are Urlacher-like where he just can't compete well).

Edited September 27, 2013 by greg775

[witesoxfan]

Very sad, but I don't think he's going anywhere. Even if somehow the Sox pull off a miraculous recovery and compete next year with Abreu, look at it this way, Paulie, Abreu and Dunn can platoon between DH and 1B.

If Paulie is healthy and rocking, he can play first and Dunn/Abreu can platoon at DH. If Paulie stinks, he can platoon just with Dunn and let Abreu play every single day. We owe Dunn nothing in his final year of his deal. We owe Paulie the right to end on his own terms. I personally think the guy knows he can still play the game of baseball. Whether the Sox let him do it in Chicago or he goes somewhere else, we shall see. He's not gonna retire (unless his injuries are Urlacher-like where he just can't compete well).

 

That is wrong on so, so many levels.

[IlliniKrush]

Swing for the fences this weekend, next HR hit, walk off and be done. Hopefully last night wasn't the last one.

[greg775]

Swing for the fences this weekend, next HR hit, walk off and be done. Hopefully last night wasn't the last one.

 

That would be wild and fitting, to end it this season on a home run, and enter his offseason of decision making knowing he hit a homer in what might be his final at bat.

 

Does anybody else have as strong a vibe as me that Paulie is not ready to quit and really not wanting to quit? My vibe on Paulie (without ever meeting him) is he loves the game of baseball, but is also a very smart person and knows he'll be going out on a very sour note if his power numbers remain the same next year and hit BA dips to Dunn-like levels.

Paulie hitting .205 or .210 or .195 with 8 home runs and 40 RBIs in 450 at bats would be a bad way to end a career. Paulie with this year's numbers would not be good, but not utterly embarrassing. But a healthy Paulie going .280 with 17-25 homers and 80-90 RBIs ... what a way to go out!!!

Do all of you agree with me he does not look or act like a guy who is ready to quit? His demeanor playing first, etc?

[Jake]

I feel like PK really, really hates playing badly.

[southsider2k5]

I feel like PK really, really hates playing badly.

 

He always has.

[nickofypres]

Garfien:

 

Paul Konerko speaking with media at 3:45. He'll address his future. We'll carry the press conference live on CSN and @CSNChicago.

[witesoxfan]

That would be wild and fitting, to end it this season on a home run, and enter his offseason of decision making knowing he hit a homer in what might be his final at bat.

 

Does anybody else have as strong a vibe as me that Paulie is not ready to quit and really not wanting to quit? My vibe on Paulie (without ever meeting him) is he loves the game of baseball, but is also a very smart person and knows he'll be going out on a very sour note if his power numbers remain the same next year and hit BA dips to Dunn-like levels.

Paulie hitting .205 or .210 or .195 with 8 home runs and 40 RBIs in 450 at bats would be a bad way to end a career. Paulie with this year's numbers would not be good, but not utterly embarrassing. But a healthy Paulie going .280 with 17-25 homers and 80-90 RBIs ... what a way to go out!!!

Do all of you agree with me he does not look or act like a guy who is ready to quit? His demeanor playing first, etc?

 

A lot of times, it doesn't matter if a player wants to quit or not. If he could, Jerry Rice would still be playing football and Frank and Griffey would still be playing baseball. At some point, your body simply can't handle it.

 

If he comes back, it is going to be in a limited capacity primarily against LHP.

[GGajewski18]

I think it's his time to retire. Announce it now, and be able to get the proper ovation from the fans

[greg775]

I think it's his time to retire. Announce it now, and be able to get the proper ovation from the fans

 

But nobody is giving reasons why, though whitesox said if his body can't handle it. I would agree with that.

I've listed a lot of reasons why he should stay.

 

I'm not saying you feel this way, but IMO too many people refuse to accept the possibility Paulie could have a solid to very good comeback season. Or if he's healthy he might want to go on and on. How long did Thome wind up playing?? Forever. By the end he was just a pinch hitter. Did it ruin his legacy? Not really. Guys like Thome and Konerko go out on their own terms.

Edited September 27, 2013 by greg775

[GGajewski18]

But nobody is giving reasons why, though whitesox said if his body can't handle it. I would agree with that.

I've listed a lot of reasons why he should stay.

 

I'm not saying you feel this way, but IMO too many people refuse to accept the possibility Paulie could have a solid to very good comeback season. Or if he's healthy he might want to go on and on. How long did Thome wind up playing?? Forever. By the end he was just a pinch hitter. Did it ruin his legacy? Not really. Guys like Thome and Konerko go out on their own terms.

 

I understand what you're saying but in my opinion, if he does want to play next year it shouldn't be with the Sox. The way tho team is headed, he deserves to go to a contender and go out as a champion. Of course I would love Paulie back but it is a business and Paulie just isn't part of the future.

[LittleHurt05]

But nobody is giving reasons why, though whitesox said if his body can't handle it. I would agree with that.

I've listed a lot of reasons why he should stay.

 

I'm not saying you feel this way, but IMO too many people refuse to accept the possibility Paulie could have a solid to very good comeback season. Or if he's healthy he might want to go on and on. How long did Thome wind up playing?? Forever. By the end he was just a pinch hitter. Did it ruin his legacy? Not really. Guys like Thome and Konerko go out on their own terms.

 

Jim Thome played for 6 different franchises in his last 4 years. I doubt those were really "his terms".

[flavum]

I think it's his time to retire. Announce it now, and be able to get the proper ovation from the fans

 

That would be nice. I'll believe it when I see (hear) it.

[greg775]

Jim Thome played for 6 different franchises in his last 4 years. I doubt those were really "his terms".

 

As I recall, there was a reason for his going to every one of those teams except Baltimore, really. He chose Minnie on his own and did well. Dodgers wanted him as a pinch hitter deluxe. He didn't mind going back to Cleveland for a love fest of sorts. Philly actually wanted him as well.

I think Baltimore was the only weird stop, his final stop.

 

Call me crazy, but I think Paulie will choose the Thome route rather than the George Brett route. Brett up and quit cause he wasn't putting up Brett-like numbers. I hope he makes the right decision. I'd say he's by far my favorite Sox player ever and that's saying a lot, considering I'm overlooking how slow he is on the bathpaths. Consummate professional, good slugger, amazing digger of throws in the dirt, and a smart player. Adds up to my favorite Sox ever.

Edited September 27, 2013 by greg775

[2nd_city_saint787]

As I recall, there was a reason for his going to every one of those teams except Baltimore, really. He chose Minnie on his own and did well. Dodgers wanted him as a pinch hitter deluxe. He didn't mind going back to Cleveland for a love fest of sorts. Philly actually wanted him as well.

I think Baltimore was the only weird stop, his final stop.

 

Call me crazy, but I think Paulie will choose the Thome route rather than the George Brett route. Brett up and quit cause he wasn't putting up Brett-like numbers.

 

...you're crazy.

[witesoxfan]

As I recall, there was a reason for his going to every one of those teams except Baltimore, really. He chose Minnie on his own and did well. Dodgers wanted him as a pinch hitter deluxe. He didn't mind going back to Cleveland for a love fest of sorts. Philly actually wanted him as well.

I think Baltimore was the only weird stop, his final stop.

 

Call me crazy, but I think Paulie will choose the Thome route rather than the George Brett route. Brett up and quit cause he wasn't putting up Brett-like numbers.

 

I think quite the opposite. What more is Konerko going to accomplish? At the rate he's on, he's going to have to play a minimum of 5 more years to get to 500 homers. He's not going to win any individual awards. He's got a World Series ring.

 

Thome stuck around as long as he did to try and get a ring. He never was able to. But he got plenty of accolades - a silver slugger, 600+ homers - and decided that it was time to go (and also, no teams would sign him because he wanted to play this year too).

[flavum]

Live link at 3:45

 

http://www.csnchicago.com/page/livewhitesox

[GGajewski18]

Merkin just tweeted that per Hahn thy PK decision won't be discussed until a couple weeks.

 

[nickofypres]

Merkin just tweeted that per Hahn thy PK decision won't be discussed until a couple weeks.

 

Mixed signals.

[fathom]

Mixed signals.

 

Why's it mixed signals? The rumors all week were that Konerko would meet with the media and tell them that he hadn't made up his mind yet.