All-star picks defy logic? No Konerko?
Some things are just hard to understand:
Ÿ“The Maury Povich Show.”
ŸCastoff starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez stifling the White Sox’ offense Sunday.
ŸAdam Dunn still being a part of the Sox’ offense.
ŸAlex Rios. See Dunn.
ŸLogic in All-Star Game selections.
That last one will be our topic for today, unless you want another rehash on invisible offensive days from Dunn (0-for-4, .165 batting average) and Rios (0-for-3, .218) during the Sox’ 3-1 loss to the Cubs on Sunday at Wrigley Field.
The White Sox (42-43) are back under the .500 mark after they failed to complete the three-game sweep over the Cubs, so that means they don’t deserve heavy representation in the Midsummer Classic.
For now they have just one player headed to Chase Field in Phoenix.
If you don’t know who it is, here’s the replay of the guessing game I played with starting pitcher Mark Buehrle Sunday morning in the cramped visitors clubhouse at Wrigley. (Editor’s note: Buehrle already knew the selection).
Me: Paul Konerko?
Buehrle: Nope.
Me: Phil Humber?
MB: Nope.
Me: Sergio Santos?
MB: Nope.
Me: Ummm, you?
MB: (Heck) no.
Me: Ummmmm, Alexei Ramirez?
MB: Nope.
Me: I give up.
MB: (Carlos) Quentin.
Wow.
No disrespect to Quentin, but really?
The power numbers are there — 17 home runs and 49 RBI — but Konerko has 21 HRs and 62 RBI, and his batting average (.317) is just a tad higher than Quentin’s .253.
But in the players’ vote, Quentin got the nod, so congratulations on a second trip to the All-Star Game.
“It’s unexpected, honestly,” said Quentin, also an all-star in 2008. “They told me and I was shocked. I thank the players that showed me enough respect to vote for me. That means a lot to me.
“At the same time, to be honest, the guy carrying this team offensively all year was Paul Konerko. There are some mixed feelings there. There’s some hope that he gets added. He’s the man on this team.”
Konerko is on the Final Vote ballot again, just like last year when he fell short. But the White Sox’ captain did go to his fourth All-Star Game, replacing injured Twins first baseman Justin Morneau.
Having to compete against stud first basemen such as New York’s Mark Teixeira, Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez and Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera, Konerko knew his initial all-star chances were not great.
“There’s always guys who have really big numbers at first (base),” Konerko said. “I’m not surprised or shocked, let’s put it that way. I know it’s very possible that when you play the position I play there will be somebody left without a chair. But we will see what happens with the thing coming up this week.”
Konerko has to contend with Adam Jones, Victor Martinez, Ben Zobrist and Alex Gordon for the 34th spot and final spot on the AL all-star team. Voting is on mlb.com and whitesox.com.
“He needs to be at the All-Star Game,” Quentin said of Konerko. “His numbers speak for themselves. He’s the captain of this team.
“Please, Sox fans, do the right thing, and whoever else is out there, do the right thing. Because he belongs on this team.”
sgregor@dailyherald.com
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