Imrem: White Sox' Konerko always the true professional
The baseball card is one of the few that's still a keeper.
The prospect is in a Dodgers minor-league uniform. He's wearing catcher's gear. The year, 1994, is his first in pro ball.
His name is Paul Konerko.
Yes, the same Paul Konerko. The longtime White Sox slugger Paul Konerko. The Chicago sports' treasure Paul Konerko.
Paulie! Paulie! Paulie!
Today in Comiskey Park - the ballpark's name way back when Konerko arrived - he will begin his final series as a major-league ballplayer.
Four games later, the baseball card will remain a reminder of how far Paul Konerko came the past two decades.
On the field, from raw prospect to polished professional, from catcher to first baseman/designated hitter, from the Dodgers' organization to the White Sox by way of the Reds.
Off the field, from 18-year-old kid to 38-year-old man, from unmarried to husband and father of three, from Northwest League meal money to wildly wealthy major-leaguer who earned every penny.
Saturday, the Sox will celebrate Konerko's career. Sunday, he will play his final big-league game. Monday he will be retired after 16 seasons on the South Side.
What a remarkable run it has been.
Interestingly, Konerko wasn't always considered a great player, as being traded twice indicates. He had to keep on keeping on to become what he became.
Konerko was almost too conscientious, beating himself up during slumps to the point it made matters worse in the short term. In the long term, however, caring that much paid off as Konerko leaves as one of those Chicago athletes loved by fans of his team and respected by everyone else in town.
That select list of former players includes the likes of Doug Buffone of the Bears, Keith Magnuson of the Blackhawks and Norm Van Lier of the Bulls.
None was a Hall of Famer but each was cherished because of the way he performed in the game and conducted himself outside it.
These athletes treated everyone and everything - teammates, bosses, fans, journalists, strangers and, most relevantly, their sports - the way they should be treated.
Each was an earnest athlete who honored his profession by playing hard nearly every time he laced up his cleats, spikes or sneakers.
Chicago sports fans don't ask for much more than that. Just give it your all every time out and, win or lose, you'll win hearts here.
Paulie! Paulie! Paulie!
Paul Konerko might have been the closest of these beloved figures to becoming a Hall of Fame player.
Konerko's career numbers are oh so close: 439 home runs, 1,412 runs batted in and a .279 batting average.
Regardless, numbers don't define Konerko. He's defined by the way he conducted himself in good times and hard times.
Perhaps the highest compliment that can be given a professional athlete is that fans could invest their trust in him with the confidence that they wouldn't be disappointed by his behavior.
As always has to be pointed out, nobody knows for sure what a player does in his private life. Still, some like Konerko are better bets than others.
Konerko could be trusted with his duties as team captain. He could be trusted to hit a grand-slam homer to help win a World Series game. He could be trusted to give up the championship ball to Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf at the post-parade celebration.
In general, during all his years here, Konerko could be trusted to do the right thing. Fans knew that if he did something, anything, it was the right thing to do.
Konerko has been on a remarkable 20-year journey from Dodgers farmhand to one of the most beloved White Sox retirees ever … and one of Chicago's most beloved ever.
During this weekend's festivities, three words will sum up the emotions in the ballpark.
Paulie! Paulie! Paulie!
It wouldn't be a bad idea to print up another Paul Konerko baseball card with that chant on the back.