http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/...nerko-hall-fame

 

Insiders only, but to paraphrase I can't believe how many times the author says that Konerko has had a solid, normal, or good career. That characterization blows me away. He even says "Finishing with 400 home runs and playing for 15 years isn't the stuff of legend and it doesn't result in becoming the namesake of many awards, but it's a better career than the vast majority of players have in them. Even for a former first-rounder and top prospect, it certainly would be grossly unfair to deem it a disappointment." I am by no means saying that he's a sure fire HOFer but he is one of only 48 players EVER to hit 400 HR's, throw on top of that a .285 career avg and close to 1300 rbi's and you have a tremendous baseball player. Any team would be thrilled to get that sort of production out of their first round selection in any draft. I guess this just goes to show how little respect Pauly gets, pisses me off for such a class act and such a great player.

Personally, Paulie isn't a hall of famer. However, if he does what he's done the past 2 years for another year or two, he gets into that mix. Hit 500 and I think you've sealed it, especially given the fact that his production has continued (and gotten better) after testing.

Personally, Paulie isn't a hall of famer. However, if he does what he's done the past 2 years for another year or two, he gets into that mix. Hit 500 and I think you've sealed it, especially given the fact that his production has continued (and gotten better) after testing.

 

Im not saying that he is at this point, Im just saying that to characterize his career as normal is asinine.

He's just playing in the wrong ERA of great First Basemen to get in... Classic Hall of Really Good candidate...

He's just playing in the wrong ERA of great First Basemen to get in... Classic Hall of Really Good candidate...

 

Agreed...but it's not how you start, it's how you finish. If Paulie can get to 500 (as it says in the article) and can hit 1600 RBIs, he's definitely in the conversation. ESPECIALLY because there have been no rumors about PEDs. He's assumed to be clean.

but it's not how you start, it's how you finish.

 

That's what she said.

Agreed...but it's not how you start, it's how you finish. If Paulie can get to 500 (as it says in the article) and can hit 1600 RBIs, he's definitely in the conversation. ESPECIALLY because there have been no rumors about PEDs. He's assumed to be clean.

 

If he can keep a really high average this year, that will help as well, especially if he can get into the MVP race, and get another playoff run with the Sox.

He needs to play, at a Paulie-like level, for another 3 years or so after this one, to have a good shot. That would put him over 500 HR's, and some other thresholds.

 

Some post-seasons would help too, as would an MVP or at least a close vote for it.

 

He might make it. But he sure isn't there right now.

 

Finishing with 400 home runs and playing for 15 years isn't the stuff of legend and it doesn't result in becoming the namesake of many awards, but it's a better career than the vast majority of players have in them.

 

Actually, I agree exactly with every word he wrote here. Paulie has not had a legendary, accolade-laden career, but he has played better than the vast majority of players. I couldn't have said it better.

 

If Paul finishes with 475-499 HR and .280 avg, which is the likeliest scenario, he'll get compared to Fred McGriff a lot, another almost Hall of Famer.

 

Really the thing killing him is his career OPS being too low - it's even below Dunn's for his career, and some other names that are merely above average. He just flat out does not walk enough. If Paul had an OPS around .900 he'd have a much easier time being in the conversation - 500 HR or not.

Edited June 6, 201213 yr by Greg Hibbard

PK needs an MVP award, another year with consideration for the MVP, and either a ring or several deep playoff runs along with the career statistics of 500 HR, etc