Konerko, Sox hope they have a future together
It's unanimous Paul Konerko wants to return to the White Sox and the feeling is mutual.
But as the season ended Sunday with a 6-5 win over the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field, not much more is known.
Eligible for free agency, Konerko would ideally like to finish out his career on the South Side, which he's called home since 1999.
But the 34-year-old first baseman who finished the season with a .312 batting average, 39 home runs, 111 RBI and .393 on-base percentage still has no idea where he'll land this winter.
"I really have just no opinion on it," Konerko said. "I have no idea what to think. I'm as up in the air as any of you people are. I have no feeling whether I'll be here - or pick any team out of a hat and I would have no feeling if I could be there, either. We'll see how it develops and once the phone starts ringing hopefully the phone starts ringing we'll see what happens.
"The door's not shut here by any means. It's possible, very possible, I can be back. I'm totally open to everything. It just has to be right on all counts."
As usual, money is a major factor. Konerko's market value has already been estimated at $45 million over three years, and that might be too much for the White Sox.
"Let me be clear on something ... I think Jerry Reinsdorf and myself and Ozzie Guillen, we'd like to have him back," Sox general manager Kenny Williams said. "Let's be completely clear on that. Now, whether we can do that or that happens or not with all the variables, I have no clue right now. We are clear with our desires as we sit here today."
Williams stopped by Konerko's locker before Sunday's game.
"I told him that under my tenure at least, he is the classiest player that has put on a uniform," Williams said. "And I'm not just talking on the field and in this clubhouse. I'm talking outside of the game as well. You'll never hear me say a disparaging word against Paul Konerko.
"We don't know how it's going to play out. There are variables at play we have to go through, to see where we are, project our revenues and how the team fits as a whole. He has some things he has to work through in his mind as well.
"At the end of the day, even if we are the ones who choose him and he doesn't choose us, you will never hear out of anyone in the White Sox halls a disrespectful word about Paul Konerko because he is that good of a player but also that classy of a man."
Konerko ranks second in Sox history with 358 home runs and 1,127 RBI.
Another pending free agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski went to bat for his teammate Sunday.
"When you've had the career that Paul's had, when you look at what he's done, there should be teams lining up to get his services," Pierzynski said. "Personally, I'd be disappointed if Paul Konerko wasn't a White Sox next year, for all he's done and for the contributions not only to the team but to the community and everything's he's done around here.
"If he's not back here next year, there's something wrong. For all he's done and what he means to this team and to the people around here, it would be very disappointing."
Konerko was lifted from Sunday's game with one out in the seventh inning. The crowd of 24,539 gave him a standing ovation as he walked off the field and a curtain call once he reached the dugout.
"There are a lot of memories," Konerko said. "Anytime I've gotten a curtain call or something along those lines, you never forget those things. Our fans are very knowledgeable, passionate fans that keep you honest."
<p class="factboxheadblack">Scot Gregor's game tracker</p>
<p class="News"><b>On the run:</b> Juan Pierre stole his 68th base of the season and finished as the first Sox player to lead the major league in steals since Luis Aparicio (1961). </p>
<p class="News"><b>Ozzie milestone:</b> Ozzie Guillen won his 600th game as White Sox manager. "It's nice," Guillen said. "It's great. But I don't put too much emphasis on stats."</p>
<p class="News"><b>Wrap it up:</b> Edwin Jackson got the win after pitching 52/3 innings and allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits. In 11 starts since coming over in a trade from Arizona, Jackson was 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA.</p>
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