Sox' Konerko is irreplaceable
It started right after the 2011 season ended.
It continued through the winter meetings, spilled over into SoxFest and picked up steam again when spring training opened.
To recap, three key players — Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Gordon Beckham — have to play up to their potential if the White Sox are going to have any chance of competing this season.
As for first baseman Paul Konerko, he just needs to keep on keeping on. We've reviewed the 2011 season ad nauseam, but can you imagine how bad it would have been without Konerko?
At an age — 35 — when most players start falling apart, Konerko was locked in from start to finish. He led the Sox in batting average (.300), home runs (31), RBI (105), on-base percentage (.388) and slugging (.517).
Equally impressive, Konerko struck out just once every 7.18 plate appearance, his best showing since 2003.
Here's the big question heading into the season: Can Konerko keep producing as he continues to age?
Inside the numbers:
Konerko put up solid numbers last season, hitting 30 or more homers and driving in 100-plus runs for the fifth time in his 14-year career.
Believe it or not, Konerko could have had even better stats in 2011, and he can improve his numbers this season.
New manager Robin Ventura wants to keep Konerko in the cleanup spot to maximize his run production.
If Konerko gets some protection, a rarity last season, he could make an MVP run. Last year, Dunn, Rios, Carlos Quentin, A.J. Pierzynski, Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo shuffled in and out of the No. 5 spot and were collective failures.
Konerko is still one of the best fastball hitters in the game, and he will see more of them if Dunn or Rios show they can handle the fifth spot and provide some needed protection.
From 2008-10, Konerko drew 15 intentional walks. Last year, the number soared to 17 for the season.
Why is he so team first?
Konerko set a franchise record last year by hitting morethan 20 home runs for the 12th time. He also ranks 52nd in baseball history with 389 career homers and is definitely a Hall of Fame candidate.
When he retires as a player, Konerko will sit back and reflect on all of the numbers. For now, he is more interested in winning a second World Series ring.
“I try not to judge my personal (stats),” Konerko said. “I have no goals. I set goals that are getting to the playoffs as a result. Getting a hit is a result. It's all about the result and how I attack every day and get ready to play. For the team, it's the same way. Hopefully that translates into wins and everybody else does the same thing.”
Sounds like a captain talking, and Konerko has been the White Sox' official leader since 2006.
Konerko usually avoids saying anything controversial, but he did stir up a quiet White Sox camp when he reported for work last week.
Without any prompting, Konerko said the White Sox could miss the playoffs this year and still have a successful season if young players such as Beckham, Brent Morel and Addison Reed developed their games.
Konerko also said the on-going feud between general manager Kenny Williams and former manager Ozzie Guillen took a toll last year.
“There were probably games and days given away because of people worrying about things that were not related to the game of baseball,” Konerko said.
Do Sox have other options?
Konerko is not getting any younger, and Ventura plans on giving him some additional rest this season.
That means Dunn will be playing some first base, with Konerko moving to designated hitter.
Konerko likes being on the field as much as possible, but he did start 37 games at DH last year and batted .348 with 7 home runs. Konerko started 110 games at first base and batted .284 with 24 homers.
Dunn made 34 starts at first base in 2011, and ace utility man Brent Lillibridge started 12 games.
sgregor@dailyherald.com
Ranking top AL first basemen
Scot Gregor ranks the AL's top first basemen:
1. Albert Pujols, Angels
2. Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox
3. Mark Teixeira, Yankees
5. Paul Konerko, White Sox