From the Sun Times:

 

"Now I have to wear one of those stupid pads that everyone wears; I hate wearing those things,'' Konerko said. "I don't like the way it feels when you hit. And I hear the pitchers talk about guys who wear those things, and I don't want to be that guy.''

 

I hate seeing guys wear those and then crowd the plate.

Good for him, I don't like all that padding either.

He must like that saying. I don't know if he just watched the movie PCU or what. I was listening to afternoon thunder yesterday and Harry asked about his lab puppies. He asked if he named them after old ball players. Paulie said "No, I don't want to be that guy, they are two girls named Maggie and...."

From the Sun Times:

 

"Now I have to wear one of those stupid pads that everyone wears; I hate wearing those things,'' Konerko said. "I don't like the way it feels when you hit. And I hear the pitchers talk about guys who wear those things, and I don't want to be that guy.''

 

I hate seeing guys wear those and then crowd the plate.

Not to be an ass, but playing devil's advocate, how ell did it work for him not wearing one last year. Maybe it would work better if he didn't care what pitchers think of him. On the other hand, maybe it really does work better for him to be without one. Just saying.

I'm not a fan of it when it's abused like Mo Vaugn and Barry Bonds to hang on top of the plate(sometime I think Bonds is going to get hit and they're going to call it a strike). However, when a guy is hurt or all the pitchers are trying to bust him inside(like Frank) then it's fine by me.

I wish more hitters would use protective padding in Spring Training, to minimize the risk of a spring injury before the season even gets underway. There should also be a more reasonable limit to what you can wear during the season - the Bonds body armor is ridiculous.

And I hear the pitchers talk about guys

Kong went on to say "in 2002 I batted over .300 and I noticed the opposing pitchers were sad and then got mad at me. When we were on the road, they wouldn't invite me out for a drink. Finally, last season when I was flirting with the Mendoza line, they liked me again. They bought me nice gifts and smiled when they saw me come up to bat. I liked that. It's nice to make people smile isn't it?

Kong went on to say "in 2002 I batted over .300 and I noticed the opposing pitchers were sad and then got mad at me. When we were on the road, they wouldn't invite me out for a drink.  Finally, last season when I was flirting with the Mendoza line, they liked me again. They bought me nice gifts and smiled when they saw me come up to bat. I liked that. It's nice to make people smile isn't it?

 

really..konerko should just shut up and worry about hitting...i dont think too many people are interested in the philosphies of a 234 hitter

 

 

really..konerko should just shut up and worry about hitting...i dont think too many people are interested in the philosphies of a 234 hitter

Let the Konerko bashing continue. Good god people the guy has half a bad season and he's a lepper. At least hold your fire till he actually deserves it.

Let the Konerko bashing continue.  Good god people the guy has half a bad season and he's a lepper.  At least hold your fire till he actually deserves it.

He also only had one great half of a season. He got paid substantially for that one half of a great season as well. I think he can take whatever criticism comes his way.

He also only had one great half of a season. He got paid substantially for that one half of a great season as well. I think he can take whatever criticism comes his way.

Paully will be fine. He's one of the leaders on this team. And, I'm convinced that the first half of last year was a complete abberation. This guy is a hitter. Something was seriously awry the first half of last year but in this game its not that unusual for a good hitter to experience those kind of struggles.

 

My problem with Konerko isn't his bat. It's the fact that I run faster than he does.

Paully will be fine.  He's one of the leaders on this team.  And, I'm convinced that the first half of last year was a complete abberation.  This guy is a hitter.  Something was seriously awry the first half of last year but in this game its not that unusual for a good hitter to experience those kind of struggles.

 

My problem with Konerko isn't his bat.  It's the fact that I run faster than he does.

I believe Paulie will have a great year. I am not complaining about him. The people that do complain do have a point however. He didn't have just one bad half of a year. He only had one great half of a year. That was the only point I was making. Can't he take some Don Bebe speed classes for cryin' out loud? There has to be a way to improve on your speed.

There has to be a way to improve on your speed.

Not when your hip is falling apart.

Regarding Konerko's hip:

 

 

 

Shooting from the hip

 

First baseman Paul Konerko has heard speculation that a degenerating hip problem caused his subpar performance in 2003.

 

He put those concerns to rest over the weekend.

 

"If you took an X-ray of my hips, they would look different than yours," Konerko said. "But there's nothing wrong with them. They're not going to get any worse or any better. It's a structure thing. They're different now than they were when I was 18 or 19 years old, but the same as they were when I was 22.

 

"I basically don't have the range of motion because of the ball and socket. The ball hits the socket more than it does for the average person. It bothers me sometimes if we've been traveling a lot and I don't sleep well, but that's been going on since Triple-A.

 

"I know when my name comes up in trades, or when I got traded here, they wanted the X-rays to check it out. I'm 100 percent fine. Put it this way, I won't be going back to catching anytime soon."

Regarding Konerko's hip:

 

 

 

Shooting from the hip

 

First baseman Paul Konerko has heard speculation that a degenerating hip problem caused his subpar performance in 2003.

 

He put those concerns to rest over the weekend.

 

"If you took an X-ray of my hips, they would look different than yours," Konerko said. "But there's nothing wrong with them. They're not going to get any worse or any better. It's a structure thing. They're different now than they were when I was 18 or 19 years old, but the same as they were when I was 22.

 

"I basically don't have the range of motion because of the ball and socket. The ball hits the socket more than it does for the average person. It bothers me sometimes if we've been traveling a lot and I don't sleep well, but that's been going on since Triple-A.

 

"I know when my name comes up in trades, or when I got traded here, they wanted the X-rays to check it out. I'm 100 percent fine. Put it this way, I won't be going back to catching anytime soon."

that explains alot.

Regarding Konerko's hip:

 

 

 

Shooting from the hip

 

First baseman Paul Konerko has heard speculation that a degenerating hip problem caused his subpar performance in 2003.

 

He put those concerns to rest over the weekend.

 

"If you took an X-ray of my hips, they would look different than yours," Konerko said. "But there's nothing wrong with them. They're not going to get any worse or any better. It's a structure thing. They're different now than they were when I was 18 or 19 years old, but the same as they were when I was 22.

 

"I basically don't have the range of motion because of the ball and socket. The ball hits the socket more than it does for the average person. It bothers me sometimes if we've been traveling a lot and I don't sleep well, but that's been going on since Triple-A.

 

"I know when my name comes up in trades, or when I got traded here, they wanted the X-rays to check it out. I'm 100 percent fine. Put it this way, I won't be going back to catching anytime soon."

AHHHH, what do you EXPECT him to say????

 

Paulie will be just fine. He won't be our leadoff hitter, but I think he'll have a good year. I'm much more worried about Willie and Miguel's bats ( and to a lesser extent, Aaron's ) than I am about Paulie's.

Regarding Konerko's hip:

 

Shooting from the hip

 

First baseman Paul Konerko has heard speculation that a degenerating hip problem caused his subpar performance in 2003.

He put those concerns to rest over the weekend.

"If you took an X-ray of my hips, they would look different than yours," Konerko said. "But there's nothing wrong with them. They're not going to get any worse or any better. It's a structure thing. They're different now than they were when I was 18 or 19 years old, but the same as they were when I was 22.

"I basically don't have the range of motion because of the ball and socket. The ball hits the socket more than it does for the average person. It bothers me sometimes if we've been traveling a lot and I don't sleep well, but that's been going on since Triple-A.

"I know when my name comes up in trades, or when I got traded here, they wanted the X-rays to check it out. I'm 100 percent fine. Put it this way, I won't be going back to catching anytime soon."

It's degenerative. Today it may not be an issue.. but tomorrow, 6 months from now, a year from now...

 

 

Funny how all of a sudden he's admitting to an issue. In the past 3 years how many times have we heard "there's NOTHING wrong.."

 

 

You don't get shots if there is nothing wrong. You aren't forced to soak for hours and hours at a time if nothing is wrong. You don't resort to alternative means of treatment to "relieve pain" if nothing is wrong...

Funny how all of a sudden he's admitting to an issue. In the past 3 years how many times have we heard "there's NOTHING wrong.." 

He is still saying that there is nothing wrong. Just explaining what is behind the story of his hip. Sounds more like he doesn't want the hip thing to be an excuse for his poor performance. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I don't know, but at least he is explaining what the rumors were all about.

He is still saying that there is nothing wrong.  Just explaining what is behind the story of his hip.  Sounds more like he doesn't want the hip thing to be an excuse for his poor performance.  Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I don't know, but at least he is explaining what the rumors were all about.

You say tomato.. I say tomato

Would everyone please stop talking about personal matters of the players. These things that are going on inside the clubhouse and trainer's room are really none of our business.

 

Well, that explains Paul's lack of speed. In 7 seasons, he has 3 stolen bases and an inside-the-park-homerun. So he must have SOME mobility.

 

I just hope that he doesn't have that horrible disease that Bo Jackson and Albert Belle had. That would not be cool at all.

Well, that explains Paul's lack of speed. In 7 seasons, he has 3 stolen bases and an inside-the-park-homerun.

 

I just hope he doesn't have that horrible disease that Bo Jackson and Albert Belle had.  That would not be cool at all.

Would everyone please stop talking about personal matters of the players. These things that are going on inside the clubhouse and trainer's room are really none of our business.

 

His treatments have been well documented in the news over the past 3 years as well as when he was with the Reds.

Steff,

 

I love HR's as much as the next fan, but I guess I'm "old school" because I also love the stolen base and slap hitters. Juan Pierre didn't have any HR's last year, but he was just so much fun to watch. That's what I'm hoping to see from Willie Harris this year. I could care less if he hits 1 HR - as long as Willie is getting on base and flying around the basepaths, that's exciting to me, and I will love watching the team even more if that comes to fruition.

 

If Willie can just hit .270 with a .350 OBP, he could steal 50 + bases. And Ozzie will probably give him the green light and let him fly whenever he wants. It could be fun. We can only hope that it happens the way it does when I close my eyes and dream.

Steff,

 

I love HR's as much as the next fan, but I guess I'm "old school" because I also love the stolen base and slap hitters.  Juan Pierre didn't have any HR's last year, but he was just so much fun to watch.  That's what I'm hoping to see from Willie Harris this year.  I could care less if he hits 1 HR - as long as Willie is getting on base and flying around the basepaths, that's exciting to me, and I will love watching the team even more if that comes to fruition. 

 

If Willie can just hit .270 with a .350 OBP, he could steal 50 + bases.  And Ozzie will probably give him the green light and let him fly whenever he wants.  It could be fun.  We can only hope that it happens the way it does when I close my eyes and dream.

From your mouth to God's.. err.. Willie's ears.. I hope he tears it up. I really, REALLY do. His good fortune is the White Sox good fortune. That's all that matters.