Amid all the turmoil, Paul Konerko stands tall

If the White Sox had 25 Paul Konerkos, the Ozzie Guillen-Kenny Williams soap opera wouldn’t be nearing the end of its second — and possibly final — season.

If the Sox had 25 Paul Konerkos, hitting coach Greg Walker’s feet would be off the fire.

If the White Sox had 25 Paul Konerkos, fans would be anticipating playoff matchups instead of demanding off-season changes.

This has been one of the most miserable seasons in franchise history. Considering the record $128 million payroll and lofty expectations, it would not be a stretch to deem it the worst ever.

But through all of the turmoil, through all of the runners left in scoring position, through all of the talk about how terrible Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, Jake Peavy and Gordon Beckham are at baseball, Konerko has quietly gone out and done his job.

That trend continued during Sunday’s 10-5 win over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Give A.J. Pierzynski his due for hitting 2 homers and driving in 4 runs while helping the White Sox avoid a four-game sweep against Kansas City, but do not overlook a big accomplishment for Konerko.

With his home run in the seventh inning, Konerko now has 30 for the season to go along with 103 RBI.

Again proving he is one of the most productive hitters in Sox history, Konerko has hit 30 or more homers and piled up 100 or more RBI five times in his career.

That ranks second in White Sox annals. Frank Thomas did it eight times.

When talking to reporters after the Sox snapped a seven-game losing streak, Konerko typically took zero credit.

“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. “The last couple of years 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 did miss three games in early August after being hit by a pitch on the side of the left knee.

He rushed his return by serving as the designated hitter for 22 straight games and helped keep the Sox in the AL Central race.

Konerko could only carry the White Sox by himself for so long, and that’s why they are playing out the string with 10 games to go.

“I’m very excited about P.K.,” Guillen told reporters. “He’s maybe the only bright thing we have here this year, 30 home runs, 100-plus RBI, with really no protection. I think I was pulling for that home run more than anything else. A lot of people think, ‘Well, 30 home runs, 100 RBI, you’re still losing.’ But it means a lot to him and it means a lot to me seeing one of my players have success and have a great year.”