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Paul Konerko News & Rumors

Konerko the leader in the clubhouse — literally
February 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"With Ozzie Guillen and Mark Buehrle gone, White Sox veteran Paul Konerko — whether he likes it or not — becomes the face of the franchise. "Captain" means more than it ever did if only because it may be used more than ever with first-year manager Robin Ventura running things. "I'm not going to take (the title) away from him, I'll tell you that," Ventura said. "He deserves that, not only as a player but within the clubhouse as a guy who goes about it the right way." In other words, Konerko becomes the modern-day version of Ventura, a presence in the clubhouse who doesn't speak loudly but carries a big stick of influence."
Insufferable White Sox plight could push Paul Konerko to retire
February 2
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The end is near, as far as a playing career goes, for Chicago White Sox slugger Paul Konerko. He said as much over the weekend at his team's fan fest. Konerko, who turns 36 in March, has amassed 396 career home runs, an .858 OPS, five All-Star appearances and one World Series ring in parts of 15 seasons. He is signed through 2013 and told reporter Chuck Garfein of CSN Chicago that two more seasons might be enough: "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.""
Sox slugger amused and flattered he's considered managerial material
January 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko was amused when he found out general manager Ken Williams said he had considered him as a candidate to manage the White Sox despite having two years left on his playing contract. "It's a compliment," said Konerko, who said Williams never spoke to him about the job that went to Robin Ventura despite Ventura's lack of experience. " "I guess that means besides playing the game that I hopefully pay attention to it and that I follow the game." Konerko expressed his dry sense of humor in sharing another theory, saying Ventura's one season as an unpaid volunteer high school coach compared more favorably to fans than his lack of coaching experience. "(People could say), well, it was a"
Konerko, Thornton, Santos, Ramirez scheduled to attend SoxFest
December 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"While the destinations of John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Carlos Quentin could be decided this month, the Chicago White Sox released their first list of players scheduled to attend SoxFest on Jan. 27-29 at the Palmer House Hilton. The first list includes slugger Paul Konerko, Floyd, left-handed reliever Matt Thornton (who has received varying degrees of interest from Texas and the New York Yankees), Adam Dunn, Sergio Santos, Alexei Ramirez, Brent Morel, Dayan Viciedo, Philip Humber, Tyler Flowers and Brent Lillibridge."
Konerko inducted into AFL Hall of Fame
October 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko will be inducted into the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick before Saturday's 12:35 p.m. game between the Mesa Solar Sox and Salt River Rafters."
Sox considered Konerko as manager
October 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"From White Sox's captain to manager? General manager Ken Williams confirmed Tuesday that he did consider Paul Konerko for that promotion. "It was considered long enough for me to realize Paul is a very cerebral person and he probably would drive himself nuts right now playing and managing at the same time," Williams said in confirming a New York Daily News report. "But that's the kind of respect I have for him that, yeah, I did consider it. Then I thought I would rather him focus more on hitting third or fourth in the lineup and driving in 100 runs than trying to worry about 25 other guys in addition to it. We are trying to win.""
Occasional rest is best for Konerko at first base
October 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"There's little doubt that first baseman Paul Konerko was the Chicago White Sox's 2011 Most Valuable Player on the basis of his team-leading 31 home runs and 105 RBIs. But not even Konerko could singlehandedly keep the Sox in contention in late August and September. When Carlos Quentin suffered a sprain of the AC joint in his left shoulder while making a diving catch on Aug. 20, Konerko was batting .316 despite a sore left calf to go with 28 home runs."
Konerko not surprised over Guillen's departure
September 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko was been with the Chicago White Sox since 1999 - five years before Ozzie Guillen returned as manager. So Konerko had a pretty good reading that Guillen would leave soon, but not quickly as after Monday night's 4-3 win over the Blue Jays. "My first thoughts are everything kind of ran its course," Konerko said. "I think this probably needed to be done on both sides of it. For Ozzie, I think he's been kind of just burned out on this whole thing and probably likewise on the other side, and that's how it goes. "It doesn't always have to be that someone's right, someone's wrong, this person hates that person. Sometimes in sports - any business but especially sports – a coaching"
Konerko contemplates nature of game
September 25
Chicago Tribune
 
"During his career with the White Sox, Paul Konerko has seen just about everything, from unexpected changes to the unequaled championship. When he first appeared with the Sox in 1999, Ron Scheuler was the general manager, Jerry Manuel was manager and Magglio Ordonez and Frank Thomas were teammates. He saw them all leave, mostly before they were ready to go. So he has observed that change is inevitable, especially after a season like the current White Sox have endured."
Sox hitting coach Walker has Paul Konerko in his corner
September 20
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Greg Walker might walk when his ninth season as the White Sox' hitting coach ends next week. Or he might not be asked back. No matter what he does or where he goes, though, he knows one thing for sure. ''With all due respect to any coach I've had in the past or any coach I would have in the future, Walk is my hitting coach,'' first baseman Paul Konerko said. ''He's taught me to be smart enough to know what to listen to and not to listen to. Walk's my guy.'' Konerko, who has played through a painful calf injury for about a month, hit his 30th home run of the season Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. Coupled with his 103 RBI, he reached the 30-100 plateau for the fifth time in his"
Konerko: 'It's failure'
September 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"Konerko appreciates that Sox have aimed for the playoffs every year since 2000 Paul Konerko's first season with the White Sox was a success, but for the wrong reasons. "That was my first year here where we knew it was a rebuilding year," Konerko said of the 1999 season in which he hit 24 home runs and drove in 81 runs for a Sox team that won 75 games and finished 21½ games out of first place in the American League Central. "But every year other than that, it's been playoffs or bust. There have been a few times we've made it. One time we went all the way (in 2005)."
Sox's Konerko takes pride in milestones
September 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"At 35, Paul Konerko takes a realistic view each season with the Chicago White Sox as it pertains to his goals. "It's one of those things where there's a balance of that's your job to drive in runs and drive the ball," Konerko said after reaching the 30-home run mark for the seventh season. "The last couple of years I've been trying to switch up goals and what is good. For me that's showing up for 150-plus games. If I make those approach goals my goals, the byproduct will be the numbers." Konerko reached the 30-home run, 100-RBI mark for the fifth time, joining Frank Thomas as the only Sox's players to accomplish this."
Paul Konerko hits grand slam, helps White Sox beat Indians 8-1
September 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Paul Konerko, the White Sox' resident expert on milestones, was asked about teammate Juan Pierre getting his 2,000th and 2,001st career hits in the White Sox' 8-1 victory Thursday night against the Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field. "It's a nice, round number,'' said Konerko, whose grand slam into the left-field seats in the seventh inning put a crooked number on the scoreboard and broke the game wide open. "It's great for your family and your friends to see. And you're proud of it. But at the same time, knowing him, he's not going to lift his head up and enjoy it until after the season.'' That's the Konerko way. Head down, eye on the ball and the day's work at hand."
Paul Konerko's message to returning White Sox: We need a lot of work
September 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"he 2011 White Sox, a collection of underachievers and a caravan of dysfunction, are at rest. The fateful day: Sept. 3, after blowing an 8-1 lead against the Tigers in an eventual loss. Beloved team of chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and somewhat loved organization of a South Side fan base that had grown more impatient since 2005. Funeral services begin tonight at 7:10 at U.S. Cellular Field, and visitation runs through Sept. 28. That's the proper way to send the boys off, with the last three weeks of the regular season more formality than excitement. And who better to handle the eulogy about a franchise yet another season removed from the magical '05 World Series run than the team captain"
Paul Konerko thinks of Pete Rose after 2,000th hit
August 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Many fans were asleep late Tuesday night when Paul Konerko became the 13th player to get 2,000 hits while wearing a White Sox uniform. What he liked most about the eighth-inning hit is that it tied the game. For nostalgia's sake, it was similar to his first career hit, a line drive to the opposite field in right as a Los Angeles Dodger in 1997. Konerko was seven homers away from his next milestone, 400 homers. He would become the sixth active player with 2,000 hits and 400 homers, joining Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero and Jim Thome. "It was nice to tie the game there [4-4], and you definitely want it in a winning fashion,'' Konerko said after the Sox lost"
Konerko's injury causing concerns at first base for Sox
August 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he would consider starting Brent Lillibridge at first base against left-handed starting pitchers as long as Paul Konerko is coping with a left calf bruise. But using Konerko as the designated hitter while he tries to heal has caused some late-inning issues such as the ninth inning of Monday's win at Baltimore. Lillibridge came off the bench to pinch-run for Konerko in the eighth inning but was used as a defensive replacement for Adam Dunn in the bottom of the ninth."
Guillen admits concern over Konerko's leg
August 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko doesn't have to run hard as long as he hits home runs, but manager Ozzie Guillen admitted he's concerned about the condition of his slugger's left leg. "I worry about him," Guillen said of Konerko, who hasn't shown any improvement in the past four games since returning from high left calf bruise. "I worry about him because he doesn't want to play that way. When he run the bases, he feel a little embarrassed. We all know what's going on."
Sore left calf still bothering Sox's Konerko
August 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko responded with a firm "no" when asked if his ailing left calf was feeling better. Konerko, who appears relegated to designated hitter duty, hit a solo home run in the fourth inning Sunday, which allowed him to jog slowly around the bases. "It's not stopping me from making a good swing," Konerko said. "But anything other than that, if you see me moving more than a walk, it bothers me. That's all I can say." Konerko missed three games after getting hit by a pitch from the Red Sox's Andrew Miller on July 31, and the leg hasn't felt any better since he returned as the DH on Thursday."
After three games out, White Sox' Paul Konerko likely ready to return
August 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Paul Konerko took some swings in the batting cage Wednesday, a sign he might play against the New York Yankees tonight. ''I think I'll be able to play tomorrow by what I did today,'' Konerko said. ''So we'll just have to wait and see. I wish it was today. In my mind, I didn't rule out today when I walked in, but I know what I did in the cage wouldn't cut it." Konerko was hit by a pitch on his left calf near the knee Sunday. There are discomfort, mobility and nerve issues. ''This probably won't go away for a week or two,'' Konerko said. ''PK's the type of guy that when he says he's ready to go, he's ready,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''He's not going to be a hero. Hopefully he can help us"
Konerko plans to return to lineup Thursday
August 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko plans to return to the White Sox's lineup Thursday night but expects to feel discomfort in his left calf for at least another week. Konerko felt more encouraged Wednesday after taking swings for the first time since getting hit by a pitch on Sunday, as well as running on an underwater treadmill and performing some agility drills. Konerko, who leads the Sox with a .305 batting average with 25 home runs and 76 RBIs, believes hitting will present a greater challenge than playing first base."
One more day off likely for White Sox' Paul Konerko
August 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Paul Konerko likely will miss at least one more start tonight. Konerko, who has missed the first two games of the four-game series with the New York Yankees after he was hit by a pitch on the left leg Sunday, didn't talk with reporters after the game Tuesday night. ''I don't think — because tomorrow he's going to start hitting to see how it feels — it's going to be hard for him to say, 'I'm good, let's go play.' '' Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''I said I know we need you, but in the meanwhile I don't want him to go out there and start getting bad at-bats just to be there.'' Guillen will make sure Konerko is ready. ''He's going to start hitting tomorrow then, and we'll see what happens"
Sore Paul Konerko likely to miss second start for White Sox against Yankees
August 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The last guy the White Sox can stand to be without, Paul Konerko, likely will miss at least one more start tonight. Konerko, who was hit in the left calf near his knee Sunday by a pitch from Boston Red Sox left-hander Andrew Miller, received treatment and didn't play Monday as the Sox opened a four-game home series against the New York Yankees. ''I don't expect PK to play tomorrow, either,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said before the game Monday. ''That's a manager's expectation. This kid got hit pretty good. It's very sore right now. Those guys in the lineup have to step it up a notch until he comes back.'' Konerko described his leg as ''real stiff, real sore.'' ''When you get hit in the hand"
Konerko doesn't expect to be out of lineup long
August 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"If Paul Konerko had been hit by a pitch directly on his left calf Sunday instead of part of his bone, the White Sox first baseman thinks he would have a better chance of returning to the lineup sooner. But Konerko believes he won't be sidelined five games as was the case in September 2008, when he suffered a right knee sprain. "That's probably a good measuring stick as far as the movement I have right now, as far as getting through the day and moving around and just not able to bend it or step on it and getting off it as quick as you can," Konerko said Monday, a day after getting hit by a pitch from the Red Sox's Andrew Miller. "But that one was truly a sprained knee, so you were dealing"
Konerko doubtful for opener of Yankees series
August 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"After being bruised in the left calf with a fourth-inning pitch Sunday, Paul Konerko is doubtful for Monday's game at U.S. Cellular Field, and that is bad news for the White Sox. For his career against the Yankees, Konerko is a .315 hitter with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs. While Konerko's injury is not considered serious — X-rays were negative — manager Ozzie Guillen isn't counting on him Monday. "When PK took himself out of the game (Sunday), it's not a concern, but I know that guy was hurt," Guillen said. "I knew this guy can tolerate some pain and tough it out," but the pain became too much."
Konerko wins AL Final Vote
July 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Even Paul Konerko was amazed he received 8.4 million online votes between Sunday and Thursday to win the American League's Final Vote berth for Tuesday's All-Star Game. "There were definitely some multiple voters. My mom was probably a million of them," Konerko said with a laugh. "But we're Chicago, and I know it's kind of a split town with the Cubs and all that," he said. "I don't know how that (North) side views it: 'Hey, let's get a Chicago person in there' or 'Vote for the other person because we don't want a White Sox in there.' "But we're a big market. We should show up for these kind of things. We shouldn't settle for second-best. It doesn't surprise me. I'm actually flattered by"
Ozzie Guillen predicts three White Sox to make All-Stars
July 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The White Sox' ''Paul Star'' campaign to elect first baseman Paul Konerko to the American League All-Star team had a successful start. At press time, Konerko led the vote to be the final player on the roster. The Sox are using in-game promotions, social media and online efforts to boost Konerko, who is competing against the Detroit Tigers' Victor Martinez, the Kansas City Royals' Alex Gordon, the Baltimore Orioles' Adam Jones and the Tampa Bay Rays' Ben Zobrist. A joint effort also was started between the Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers to push fans to vote for each other's finalist. The Dodgers are trying to elect Andre Ethier as the final National League All-Star. Voting ends at 3 p.m."
Konerko leads early voting for All-Star berth
July 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"A copy of the Kansas City Royals' lineup card was posted on a bulletin board with a photo of Alex Gordon, who is competing with the Chicago White Sox's Paul Konerko on the Final Vote ballot for the 2011 All-Star Game. But Konerko, according to a source from another team, leads among the five AL candidates. "I know everybody here is working hard, which I appreciate," Konerko said before Monday night's game. "Some people had to come in on a holiday for that only reason. So, I kind of feel bad about that. I appreciate it. I'll have fun with it either way."
White Sox' Paul Konerko left off All-Star roster, still has last shot
July 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Carlos Quentin has been Paul Konerko's right-hand man for the heavy lifting of carrying the hit-and-mostly-miss White Sox offense. On Sunday, he was Konerko's campaign manager for getting him to come along to the All-Star Game. Quentin was shocked and surprised to be named to the American League All-Star team, and that reaction put him in sizable "join the club" company despite his good numbers: .253 average, 17 home runs, 49 RBI. Konerko seemed like the Sox' most deserving choice, and right-hander Philip Humber has numbers worthy of going to Phoenix on July??12, too. But it was Quentin, whose competition among outfielders wasn't as strong as Konerko's among first basemen, who received the"
Konerko takes All-Star snub in stride
July 4
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"Paul Konerko isn't an All-Star? That's a joke. But in the end, it's only a little bit worse that the White Sox first baseman may not be headed to the All-Star Game than a bunch of other almost-All Stars, including CC Sabathia, Victor Martinez, Tommy Hanson, Jhonny Peralta, Andrew McCutchen and Danny Espinosa. Konerko gets a ton of credit for his perspective about not being named to Ron Washington's American League team. He has known for years how tough it is to compete against Miguel Cabrera and Mark Teixeira, and the challenge only got bigger when Adrian Gonzalez moved from San Diego to Boston. "I've been around long enough to know how it goes," said Konerko, a four-time All-Star. "This"
All-Star break win-win situation for Arizona resident Konerko
July 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"The American League and National League All-Star teams will be announced Sunday, but Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko won't be on the edge of his seat awaiting the results. The All-Star game will be played July 12 at Phoenix's Chase Field -- about 40 minutes from Konerko's North Scottsdale residence. Being named to the AL team would put a nice touch on an exceptional first half for Konerko, who already has intentions of heading to his home for the All-Star break. "I think with every player, you try to treat it the same every year," said Konerko, who ranks in the top five in the AL with a .318 batting average, 21 home runs and 62 RBIs. "If you go, it's a great thing. It's fun,"
White Sox' Paul Konerko knows it's too early for MVP talk
June 23
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Rick Morrissey
"My advice to Paul Konerko is to put an index finger in each ear and to start humming. A lot of people are talking about him and That Which He'd Rather Not Hear. And it's not just us civilians who are talking about it. "He's right there for MVP of all of baseball," White Sox teammate A.J. Pierzynski said. Konerko doesn't even want to see the initials, let alone the words "most valuable player," associated with his name. That's understandable. It's too early to be talking about postseason awards in his world. And he's the kind of guy who would rather have sinus surgery than talk about individual honors. But he went into Wednesday's Cubs-Sox game hitting .331, second in the American League."
Right now, it's as good as it gets for Konerko
June 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"When Paul Konerko isn't steering the White Sox's offense, he's aiding his teammates off the field. Hitting coach Greg Walker, whom Konerko has credited for suggestions that have helped his ascent since 2003, said Konerko's contributions run much deeper than his streak of hitting home runs in five consecutive games entering play Wednesday. "As good of a player as he is on the field, he has been an unbelievable captain for this team over the years," Walker said. "And he's getting better with it. "Last year when we were in the deepest, darkest spot, he was taking the young kids to lunch, talking to veterans after games and helping us get out of it. So not only is he taking care of his own"
Sox' Paul Konerko pushes HR streak to 5 games after 3-2 win over Cubs
June 22
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Beating the Cubs 3-2 on Tuesday night isn't about the crosstown rivalry, White Sox captain Paul Konerko said. ''To get to where we want to get, we're going to have to get ones like that,'' he said of the rain-delayed victory. It was Konerko leading the way again with another home run, his fifth in as many games. Konerko led off the second inning against Matt Garza with the homer, his 21st of the season, giving the Sox a 1-0 lead. They had a 2-0 lead before Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena homered for a second straight game, off Mark Buehrle in the fifth, to make it 2-1 before the nearly two-hour rain delay. The Cubs tied the score when play resumed. They had two men on in the sixth, and Reed"
Konerko homers in 5th straight game
June 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko is in the middle of a dream stretch for a hitter, and the Chicago White Sox slugger is not ready to wake up from it. He slugged the first pitch he saw from Cubs righthander Matt Garza Tuesday night and deposited it into the left field bleachers at U.S. Cellular Field. It was his 21st homer of the season and the fifth straight game in which he has homered. Konerko is the sixth player in White Sox history to homer in five straight games. The previous one was Carlos Lee in 2003. At age 35, Konerko is showing no signs of slowing down. He entered the game hitting .327 with 58 RBIs."
Sox sluggers going in different directions
June 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"As the cheers get louder for Paul Konerko, the boos sound more deafening for Adam Dunn. While Konerko extended his streak of hitting a home run to five games Tuesday night, a large majority of 35,155 fans expressed their growing disenchantment after Dunn struck out twice in his first two at-bats to increase his season total to 91. Dunn has said in the past that he's familiar with the boos dating back to earlier in his career with the Reds. But the expectations have been greater since Dunn joined the Sox this winter, and an 0-for-4 performance with two strikeouts dropped his batting average to .175. And manager Ozzie Guillen suggested one way to cease the booing. "If you don't want to be"
Konerko, Crain keep streaks alive
June 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko hasn't stopped to figure out why he has hit home runs in five consecutive games. "I'm just trying to get my body and myself in a good position to let it go," Konerko said. "And after that, you're just trying to make good decisions about a good pitch to hit, a bad pitch to hit, that kind of stuff. "So ultimately it's going to come down to what they give you to hit, too. If they make pitches on you, it doesn't really matter how good you feel. But sometimes it lines up. Sometimes you have that feeling at the plate you can do things, but they make pitches all the time and it doesn't work out for you. But you still have that same mechanical feel, you feel good and you're just not"
Adam Dunn compares Paul Konerko to game's best hitters
June 21
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Paul Konerko's newest fan is White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn, who has watched the first basemen tear through the first 2?1/2 months of the season with MVP-type numbers. "I can't believe more people don't talk about him," Dunn said. "I'm slapping myself in the face because I didn't really know that much about him, either. It's a shame more people don't know about him because I've seen Albert [Pujols], I've seen some pretty good hitters, and I'm telling you I'd put him right up there with anybody." Konerko's two-run home run in the first inning Monday against the Cubs was his fourth long ball in four games, and it gave him a club-record 12 seasons of 20 or more. He went into the game"
Paul in the Hall? White Sox' Konerko votes no
June 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Paul Konerko was touched by Ozzie Guillen's endorsement of him for the Baseball Hall of Fame. But Konerko, as good as his career numbers are, doesn't believe he's worthy. ''I heard what Ozzie said, and it's a compliment, of course,'' Konerko said Saturday. ''The only thing I'll say is, I followed the game as kid, and I'm a fan of its history. I'm not a Hall of Famer.'' But a pretty darned good player. ''There are a lot of guys who are pretty darned good,'' Konerko said. Konerko, 35, has 383 career homers and 1,211 RBI, and he has shown no signs of tailing off after signing a three-year contract last offseason. He is having an All-Star season with 18 homers, 55 RBI and a .327 average. On"
Konerko enjoys productive night, relieved after family scare
June 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko's productive performance Saturday night included a tie-breaking home run in the sixth inning. But his biggest relief came in the seventh inning after Chicago White Sox teamamte Brent Lillibridge fouled off a pitch that sailed in the direction of Konerko's family sitting in the first row behind the Sox's dugout. Fortunately for the Konerko family, his older brother and father suffered only minor injuries. Konerko's brother extended his hand in front of his father, but the ball hit his thumb before grazing his father's chin. "Both are fine," Konerko reported after the game. "My mom was talking through the whole thing and didn't see anything." But Konerko admitted he was"
Disastrous 9th spoils Konkero's two-run homer in White Sox loss
June 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Closers learn the hard way that the game isn't over until the last out. For White Sox closer Sergio Santos, the lessons have been coming hard and mean in the last week. On Friday night, he was one strike from putting the lid on the struggling Oakland Athletics, who were looking at their 11th straight defeat. The Sox were ready to celebrate a 5-3 victory that would have pulled them within 41/2 games of the division-leading Cleveland Indians and only a half-game behind the second-place Detroit Tigers. But Santos couldn't put away Josh Willingham, who walked. And he couldn't retire the next five batters, including Scott Sizemore, whose double with the bases loaded finished Santos (2-3) and"
Konerko back at first base, Rios out for Sox
June 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko's left wrist has healed enough that he was given the go-ahead to not only bat for the White Sox but be back at first base for Sunday's finale against the Tigers. Konerko had miss the previous two games after having a bone fragment flushed from the wrist."
White Sox' Paul Konerko still sore, sitting after wrist operation
June 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The White Sox' bullpen gained a man Saturday with the return of right-hander Jesse Crain, who missed Friday's game because of a family matter. But the offense was missing first baseman Paul Konerko for another day as he recovered from an operation Friday to remove bone fragments from his left wrist. ''It's sore from people pulling and grabbing and sticking needles in you,'' Konerko said. ''It should be better for the long run.'' Manager Ozzie Guillen doesn't expect Konerko to play today, either. ''He's sore,'' Guillen said. ''It's not fair for him. It's a day game, and he didn't have much time to get ready.'' Konerko's absence gave Adam Dunn another start at first, and Carlos Quentin was"
Konerko likely out Sunday too
June 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox captain Paul Konerko may miss a third start Sunday as his left wrist was still too tender to play Saturday night. "I don't expect him to play (Sunday)," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "If he comes out and says he can play, that's a plus." Konerko had a relatively minor procedure — "surgery is a strong word," he said — Friday when his wrist was injected with a painkiller and doctors inserted a needle to flush out a bone fragment that has caused his wrist to lock up for years. Konerko said it rarely locked up while he was playing, but in the "last couple of months it became more frequent" and surgery was not an option now because it might take two months to heal."
Konerko scratched after having fragment dislodged from wrist
June 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko was a late scratch from the White Sox's lineup Friday against the Tigers after having a fragment "dislodged" from his left wrist during the afternoon at Rush Medical Center. The team said he "would be available" to play later. Konerko was originally in the lineup Friday and Adam Dunn was not. But Dunn was placed in at first base, with Carlos Quentin serving as DH and Brent Lillibridge playing in right field. Dunn, who was 0-for-38 against left-handed pitching, was seventh in the lineup against Tigers southpaw Andy Oliver."
Konerko satisfies long-time supporters
June 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Before batting practice, Paul Konerko was sought out by his fourth grade teacher from his days in Providence, RI. Konerko mentioned later that he was greeted by the coach of his older brother's youth team, where Konerko served as a 5-year-old bat boy. "They come out of the woodwork," said Konerko, who lived in Providence until he was 11. Nevertheless, Konerko gave his supporters plenty to cheer about by hitting the go-ahead single in the seventh inning off reliever Matt Albers and ripping a two-run home run in the ninth off closer Jonathan Papelbon that manager Ozzie Guillen described as the hit of the game because it extended the Sox's lead to 7-4. Konerko seemed to feed more off the buzz"
Konerko's 'five minutes' of fame
May 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko is known more for his power than other skills, but the Chicago White Sox's first baseman provided plenty of remarking and amusing achievements in the final two innings of a 6-4 comeback win over the Los Angeles Angels. After the Sox took a 5-4 lead in the top of the 10th inning, on Jordan Walden's wild pitch while trying to intentionally walk Konerko, Konerko was eventually walked. Paul Konerko is known more for his power than other skills, but the Chicago White Sox's first baseman provided plenty of remarking and amusing achievements in the final two innings of a 6-4 comeback win over the Los Angeles Angels. After the Sox took a 5-4 lead in the top of the 10th inning, on"
Konerko endures discomfort in left wrist
May 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"Paul Konerko's sore right thumb has been well-documented, but the White Sox first baseman revealed Sunday he has endured discomfort in his left wrist for several years. Konerko said a floating part in his wrist causes pain at least 10 times a year but is unsure whether it would require a medical procedure in the offseason. "It could just be like the doctor last night said, it could be a flap of tissue that comes up and lays down, and that's the difference between feeling it and not feeling it," said Konerko, who underwent X-rays after being lifted for a pinch-hitter Saturday. "Again, in a year, I probably feel it 10 or 12 times — maybe 15 tops over a year, and that's really not a lot. "You"
Konerko hurts hand in Sox's 6-0 victory
May 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko underwent a set of x-rays on his left hand following a 6-0 victory at Seattle. X-rays were "normal" and he's listed as day-to-day. Konerko, who went 2-for-4, was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth inning, although manager Ozzie Guillen said he expects Konerko to start in Sunday's series finale against the Mariners."
Paul Konerko's homers end White Sox skid
May 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Big innings have been brutal for the White Sox. They haven't kept opponents out of them. Their offense hasn't had one. There were no big innings Monday for the Sox, but a big night for Paul Konerko. His second multihomer game of the season and a strong outing by left-hander Mark Buehrle (2-3) helped secure a victory. Konerko's seventh and eighth homers and a sacrifice fly drove in four of the Sox' six runs in a 6-2 victory against the Baltimore Orioles that snapped a five-game losing streak and prevented a four-game sweep by the Orioles. The Sox led 6-0 in the ninth. Buehrle (62/3 innings) and Jesse Crain (11/3) held the Orioles scoreless. Chris Sale entered in the ninth, getting two quick"