Paul Konerko fractures hand; should play again in ’14

Aug 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Paul Konerko (14) after striking out to Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Logan Darnell (38) at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

The final month of the 2014 season was supposed to be (and still is) a celebration of the career of retiring Chicago White Sox first baseman/designated hitter Paul Konerko, but that celebration will be at a standstill for at least the next week or maybe longer.

In an article on whitesox.com it spoke about the left hand bone fracture suffered by Konerko earlier this week against the Minnesota Twins:

"“Paul Konerko sustained a fracture of a sesamoid bone in his left hand during an eighth-inning play at first base against the Twins on Tuesday night at Target Field, meaning he will miss the entire weekend series with the Indians at Progressive Field and most likely the next week.”"

The article also said Konerko hopes to get back onto the field for a couple games at the end of the season.

The White Sox are having a day dedicated to Konerko and his 16 seasons with the White Sox on Saturday, Sept. 27 at US Cellular Field when the White Sox end the season against the Kansas City Royals.

Konerko is batting .220 this season in 74 games in a reserve role with the White Sox. He has five home runs. For his career (18 total seasons) has a .279 batting average with 439 home runs.

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This is a tough one to see happen, because this final month of the baseball season for White Sox fans is basically about celebrating Konerko’s career and what he’s meant to the franchise.

Konerko is one of the greatest White Sox players of all-time, plus he’s the lone member remaining on the team that was a player on the 2005 World Series championship team.

Sure, this hasn’t been the greatest of seasons for Paulie, but it is still always good to have him in the dugout for his leadership abilities, as he’s seen everything there is to see in the game.

I really hope he can return to the field and get his final goodbye and cheer from the White Sox fans, and hopefully he can end his career with the standing obviation he truly deserves while playing on the field one final time.