Sox' Konerko to replace Morenau on All Star roster

Playing a position shared by some of the top offensive players in baseball, Paul Konerko wasn't too upset about being passed over for the All-Star Game.

But the White Sox' first baseman is going to be heading for Anaheim, Calif., after Sunday's game against the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.

With the Minnesota's Justin Morneau out with a concussion suffered in Wednesday's game against Toronto, Konerko was added to the American League roster.

"It's good news," said Konerko, who is batting .299 and leading the Sox with 20 home runs and 63 RBI. "I really didn't get too much emotionally involved. I've been down this road where I've made teams or didn't make teams. You just have to look at it as a win-win. I did.

"When I didn't make the team, I wasn't let down, and when I didn't win the vote thing, I wasn't let down. You just kind of go with the flow."

Konerko finished third in the Final Vote, behind the New York Yankees' Nick Swisher and Boston's Kevin Youkilis.

His all-star inclusion was announced during the third inning of Saturday night's game, and the crowd of 32,339 went wild.

"That was cool," Konerko said. "I found out about 10 minutes before the game. Just another good moment at the ballpark that I will remember. The fans have been great the whole year, and they're pumped up now because the team's playing real well."

Konerko will be playing in his fourth All-Star Game, the last one coming in 2006.

"I think PK knew he was competing against pretty good ones," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Morneau and Miguel Cabrera, you can't be better than that.

"He earned that, and I think he's playing good enough to be there. I think a lot of people were happy about him making the ballclub."