This is more of an open letter/thank you note to the one and only Paul Konerko, the captain of my White Sox then a regular blog post. If you know anything about me, I'm a diehard White Sox fan, have been all of my life, and will die a White Sox fan. Paul Konerko came to my White Sox in a trade for Mike Cameron from the Cincinnati Reds in late 1998, and since then, in the 16 years, he has been a symbol of continuity on the South Side. He has made so many memories that are etched into my mind forever here on the South Side, so many that will live on forever in the hearts of White Sox fans everywhere. He is the last remaining player from the 2005 World Series team, and he has been nothing short of a leader for this team, especially when Frank Thomas was let go by the White Sox after 2005, in the intervening 9 years, Konerko has been the face of the franchise. I wish I could go back and remember the first couple of years, but time has passed, and so has the first couple of years, but there are the unknown things that he did for this city that will stay forever. In 2002, when Milwaukee hosted the All Star Game, he was in the Home Run Derby, yes it wasn't technically an event that mattered, but we didn't have one in our own ballpark the next year. Then in 2003, when he was in a down year, he was the consumate professional, never causing a fuss, never making a stink about his lack of production. Then in 2005, the first number one memory of mine of him in a White Sox uniform, I take you back to Game 2 of the World Series, in the 7th inning, with the bases loaded and the White Sox losing, he hits a grand slam to take the lead. This doesn't even need explanation, the grand slam to take the lead and make it 6-4 in the 7th, in the White Sox first World Series appearance since 1959, and eventually first World Series title since 1917.
At the time, I was seriously ill, and this helped to lift my spirits, like no other experience could have without question. Thank You Paulie, thank you for all that you did to help this team win the World Series, and lead this team as a consumate professional. Another great memory for me, that is quite underrated because it wasn't in an actual game, but at the Championship parade days later, he presented the final out ball to Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of the White Sox and Bulls. For those of you who don't know Jerry Reinsdorf in his 30+ years of owning the teams has brought 6 NBA Championships, and one World Series Title to Chicago, he's a legend. Before 2005, Jerry Reinsdorf always said that he'd trade all of the NBA Championships for just one World Series, which Chicago hadn't seen in 88 years prior to 2005. As the first baseman for the White Sox, Paulie caught the final out, on a throw from Juan Uribe, and the question was, where is the final out ball? Well at the Championship parade days later, that question was finally answered.
Some may say that Paulie should've kept the ball, but thats not the point, the point is that he presented the ball to someone who loves this sport almost as much as he did. In just an example of how much Paulie meant to this team, this city, Paulie's number was retired last night, and despite Reinsdorf announcing that there would be a statue in the future, it was unveiled last night.
I could go on and on about Paulie, someone should, because ESPN is basically ignoring him, due to Jetuh retiring, but his contributions to the game, and to the White Sox could not be done justice by my own words alone. This year, when the White Sox brought Paulie back for one final year, they signed Cuban First Baseman Jose Abreu, and as soon as the two signings were announced I knew what Paulie's real role would be, mentor.
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/buster-olney/post/_/id/7825/my-first-season-in-the-major-leagues
Jose Abreu wrote this as a guest blogger for Buster Olney, and he explains how Paulie has helped him adjust to life in MLB, who better to show him the way then a consumate professional? Paulie, since 2006, you were the captain, but in our hearts as White Sox fans, you will be one of the greats, even though you'll likely not make Cooperstown. Your numbers were never flashy, your highlights never endlessly replayed on sportscenter, but you, you were the man, you were our captain, thank you for all that you have done in a White Sox uniform. Thank you for being the example of hard work and never giving up, for leading our team through the rough years that have followed the 3 playoff appearances for our White Sox in your 16 years here. And for you, I say simply unto you....
Thank you Paulie, thank you for all that you have done, and I wish you the best of luck in the future, OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN.
