Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko gets to play against the best player he ever played with -- Tigers rightfielder Magglio Ordonez.

 

 

"I just know he was a great teammate, and he's the best player I ever played with, period," Konerko told the Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, Ill.

 

 

Konerko spoke on the eve of Ordonez's first game against the White Sox, which happens tonight when the Tigers visit U.S. Cellular Field. Ordonez spent his whole 14-year career in the Sox organization before signing with the Tigers for $75 million in the off-season.

 

 

"No offense to anybody I've played with, but when that guy's healthy and playing well, I've never played with anybody better," Konerko said.

 

 

That statement seems more impressive considering Konerko played with Mike Piazza in Los Angeles and, for the past six years, with Frank Thomas.

 

 

Ordonez played three games before July because of hernia surgery. He missed any chance to stop Chicago's runaway season in the Central Division.

 

 

Chicago (61-29) has a 12-game division lead largely because of a 30-5 record in the Central, 7-1 against the Tigers. Four of those wins came in the first month.

Frank hasn't played the field much and Piazza is a toss up. I can't really disagree with that statement. I'm trying to think of who else he would have picked. CLee? Jose Valentin? I'm assuming pitchers were not considered.

What about Barry Larkin

In Paul's position he has to say nice things about everybody. --He just might be playing in Detroit next year.

Much more interesting is the rest of what he said. This tells you a lot about the questions that they asked, and what the DH left out of their article. This is from the Trib.

 

I don't know if it will be a circus," first baseman Paul Konerko said Sunday before the Sox beat the Indians 4-0. "We're trying to focus on things that are bigger and better. If we were a middle-of-the-road, .500 or a last-place team, this would be a bigger deal."

 

I couldn't have said it any better myself. They don't care about Maggs, they care about beating whoever they are playing.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko gets to play against the best player he ever played with -- Tigers rightfielder Magglio Ordonez.

"I just know he was a great teammate, and he's the best player I ever played with, period," Konerko told the Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, Ill.

Konerko spoke on the eve of Ordonez's first game against the White Sox, which happens tonight when the Tigers visit U.S. Cellular Field. Ordonez spent his whole 14-year career in the Sox organization before signing with the Tigers for $75 million in the off-season.

"No offense to anybody I've played with, but when that guy's healthy and playing well, I've never played with anybody better," Konerko said.

That statement seems more impressive considering Konerko played with Mike Piazza in Los Angeles and, for the past six years, with Frank Thomas.

Ordonez played three games before July because of hernia surgery. He missed any chance to stop Chicago's runaway season in the Central Division.

Chicago (61-29) has a 12-game division lead largely because of a 30-5 record in the Central, 7-1 against the Tigers. Four of those wins came in the first month.

Konerko came to the Sox in 98 or 99. Who was a better player than Magglio since that time?

Konerko came to the Sox in 98 or 99. Who was a better player than Magglio since that time?

 

Mark Buerhle or Royce Clayton

Mark Buerhle or Royce Clayton

 

Usually pitchers are not considered in "best player". Especially in the AL when they do not bat or play everyday.

 

Throwing pitchers into the mix and yes, Buerhle has been the best at his position during the Kong Years.

My point was more toward the accolades he seems to go out of his way to shower upon former teammates.

My point was more toward the accolades he seems to go out of his way to shower upon former teammates.

 

 

Well Maggz was his teamate for a long time and b4 this off-season he seemed like a great guy and everything. Frank obviously respected him because he told Ozzie he was willing to move down the batting order for him. And Maggz was a very good player to us... If I was there i for one would not booh him, I wouldnt give him a standing ovation because of the way he left but wouldnt booh him.

If the Tigers somehow sign Konerko, they'll end up getting into a bidding war with themselves and Konerko will end up with a 57 year deal @ 12.572M per year + incentives.

 

The Tigers are well on the way to becoming the Mets of the AL, probably the stupidest upper management that has no idea how to spend money or when to spend it.

 

As much as I like Konerko, he's not the answer at 1B for the future, he obviously has a hole in his zone, he seems to chase the outside slider no matter how far off the plate it is. Yes, he hits a lot of home runs...but he's not worth 8M+ per season.

I thought Royce was the best player he's ever played with...?

 

 

 

 

I wish Paul would get a toothache and his mouth would swell shut.

I'm beginning to agree. Konerko has said some very contradictary stuff this year...he seems to be the only member of this team that isn't on the same page as everyone else. And no, I'm not going to go back and cite the many times this year he's said things that would make the entire team shake their head and wonder why.

 

I thought Royce was the best player he's ever played with...? 

I wish Paul would get a toothache and his mouth would swell shut.

I wish Paul would get a toothache and his mouth would swell shut.

 

On one hand we dislike players who avoid the media and never give interviews. We love the guys like Barkley who will answer any question. On the other hand, I shake my head that Paul would have answered that. He should have broken out a tired cliche like "he's just another player on another team".

I don't think there is any question that Maggs was the best player from 99-04 on the Sox.

On one hand we dislike players who avoid the media and never give interviews. We love the guys like Barkley who will answer any question. On the other hand, I shake my head that Paul would have answered that. He should have broken out a tired cliche like "he's just another player on another team".

 

Actually he pretty much did. PK also said this at the end of the article

 

"I can tell you no one in the clubhouse is talking about this," Konerko said. "Our whole day revolves around getting a win. So everything else is a distant second when it comes to an issue."

Actually he pretty much did.  PK also said this at the end of the article

 

 

I'd agree no one else is talking about it. No one else cares.. no one else has quotes about maggs in the papers.. just Paul. :rolly

I'd agree no one else is talking about it. No one else cares.. no one else has quotes about maggs in the papers.. just Paul.  :rolly

 

Beacuse Paul has been here the longest besides Frank for the most part, and Paul is the all-star/leader type of this team. He's the guy the media approaches. There is somebody like that on every team.

 

It just so happens that he tells it like it is, and doesn't sugarcoat anything.

What about Barry Larkin

 

Considering how few games he actually played with the Reds, did he even play a complete game with Barry Larkin?

I'd agree no one else is talking about it. No one else cares.. no one else has quotes about maggs in the papers.. just Paul.  :rolly

 

Ozzie has plenty of quotes in there too, that is in the Trib version where they printed the whole story.

Ozzie has plenty of quotes in there too, that is in the  Trib version where they printed the whole story.

 

And actually after rereading the article Frank Thomas has quotes in there about Maggs as well.

I thought Royce was the best player he's ever played with...? 

I wish Paul would get a toothache and his mouth would swell shut.

 

I believe Paul qualified that remark about Clayton by using the word "shortstop".

Call me crazy, but I see nothing wrong with what Konero said. Maggs was a great baseball player the entire time he played with Pauly. Arguably the best he's ever played with.

In terms of Pauly not being on board with the rest of the team this year, that may be true, but not in this case. I haven't heard a Sox player rip Maggs, so why is Pauly praising Maggs considered not being on board?

Ozzie has plenty of quotes in there too, that is in the  Trib version where they printed the whole story.

 

 

Of course he does. As he's said several times he wants the focus on him and his comments. Not his players.. Paul just can't help himself.

I believe Paul qualified that remark about Clayton by using the word "shortstop".

 

Apparently Paul was blowing smoke up Royce's ass..

 

"No offense to anybody I've played with, but when that guy's healthy and playing well, I've never played with anybody better," Konerko said.

 

 

 

:rolly