White Sox Throwback Thursday: Paul Konerko as an All-Star
May 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Paul Konerko (14) hits a sacrifice fly to score right fielder Dayan Viciedo (24, not pictured) against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the White Sox 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Since the MLB All-Star Game teams will be selected on Sunday, and with the All-Star game taking place on Tuesday, July 15 at Minnesota’s Target Field, in this first installment of “White Sox Throwback Thursday,” let’s take a look back at the All-Star Game history of Paul Konerko.
Konerko has been selected to the All-Star Game six times in his career, starting in 2002 and followed with appearances in ’05, ’06, ’10, ’11 and ’12.
July 10, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; American League first baseman Paul Konerko (14) of the Chicago White Sox before the 2012 MLB All Star Game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken/USA TODAY Sports via USA TODAY Sports
The part-time designated hitter and first baseman won’t be on the team this season (it would be nice to see the former World Series champion be honored before the game, though). He does have a big All-Star game moment in ’02, the year they ran out of pitchers in Milwaukee.
On that July 9 evening at Miller Park, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers, Konerko tied an All-Star Game record with two doubles. He gained these doubles off Byung-Hyun Kim and Trevor Hoffman.
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The double off Kim came in the top of the seventh with two outs on a 1-0 count, as Konerko sent the ball to left field for two RBIs, at the time bringing the American League to within a run of tying the score at 5-4.
His first double of the game came in the top of the sixth, a ground-rule double off Hoffman on an 0-2 count.
Konerko finished the game 2-for-2.
For his All-Star Game career, Konerko is 4-for-8 (.500 average) and was hit by a pitch in the ’12 Mid-Summer Classic.
In the ’06 All-Star Game, Konerko was also 2-for-2 on the July 11 evening at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. His hits came against Derrick Turnbow (a lead-off single to left-centerfield) in the top of the seventh and a single to left field off Hoffman in the top of the ninth.
What do you remember from the All-Star Game appearances of Konerko? Do you have a favorite at-bat of his you want to talk about? Were you in attendance? Let us know at Southside Showdown.