Guillen feels Konerko will break slump
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was thinking about Paul Konerko following Friday night's win over the Royals.
"I don't know why I've got the feeling,'' Guillen said. "With the lineup we have, I think Paulie's going to come out and start swinging the bat well. Last night, I got that feeling.''
The Sox' pitching staff was abysmal in Saturday's 9-7 loss to Kansas City, but Konerko was a bright spot.
After taking his .214 batting average to the bench the past two games, Konerko was back in the starting lineup.
The White Sox' captain homered in his first at-bat off Royals starter Kyle Davies, the first time Konerko went over the fence since July 12.
The first baseman lined out to center field in the fourth inning and was robbed of an RBI single in the sixth when K.C. relief pitcher Horacio Ramirez caught his rocket line drive up the middle.
In the eighth inning, Konerko walked on four pitches against reliever Ramon Ramirez.
"Great at-bats,'' Guillen said. "Everybody was so excited for him. Everybody's feeling for him, and everybody wants him to do good.''
Konerko feels the same way, but he doesn't want to be viewed as the weak wolf in the herd.
"I'm just trying to help the team win that day,'' Konerko said. "I really liked all my at-bats today, but my personal season is irrelevant. It's good to have teammates care about you, but again, it's all irrelevant. One guy, whether it's a pitcher or hitter, his personal story is just meaningless really. Not to that person, but to the organization, the team. It's all about winning.''
Since the Ken Griffey Jr. trade on Thursday, Konerko has seemed to fade into the background. But Guillen said there's still time for Konerko to salvage a forgettable season.
"We're here all together,'' Guillen said. "I want to keep Paulie fresh and make sure we don't forget about him. Like I said earlier, Paulie's a big part of the ballclub and hopefully, having Junior, he doesn't have to carry the load. We have people who can help him. Hopefully it works out. You never know what's going to happen.''
Guillen said Konerko is going to be back in the starting lineup today at first base.
"I don't want to put guys on the shelf and forget about them,'' Guilen said.