Chicago White Sox Morning BP: Season ends; Goodbye Paul Konerko

Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Marcus Semien (5) is congratulated by center fielder Adam Eaton (1) after a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The goodbye weekend for retiring captain Paul Konerko came to a close on Sunday afternoon after a standing ovation before the sixth inning began, plus the 2014 season also came to a close, with the White Sox just avoiding 90 losses.

Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko (14) waves to fans in the stands after the game against the Kansas City Royals at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

It was an emotional weekend for White Sox fans because the captain of the White Sox said goodbye with a “Paul Konerko Day” on Saturday, and one final game on Sunday, including leaving the first base spot before the first pitch of the sixth inning.

Konerko took a curtain call then, and once the game was over, and the final out of the ’14 season was completed, he took one last lap around US Cellular Field to thank the fans.

Konerko had a grand goodbye this weekend, and he’ll be missed by all White Sox fans for what he did (and does) for this franchise on-and-off the field.

Again, Thank You, Paulie.

As for the ’14 season … it was 10 wins better than the previous season. The White Sox finished the ’14 season fourth in the AL Central at 73-89 overall, 17 games back of the eventual AL Central champion Detroit Tigers, who were 90-72 overall.

In fact, here are the final ’14 AL Central standings:

– Detroit Tigers (90-72)
– Kansas City (89-73, -1.0)
– Cleveland (85-77, -5.0)
– Chicago (73-89, -17.0)
– Minnesota (70-92, -20.0)

Sure, this wasn’t the best season for a White Sox fan, but this was better than what we all had to endure in ’13, so that’s a step on the right direction.

I believe the White Sox improved this season with the addition of Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton, who each finished with at least a .300 batting average, and Abreu is all but a lock for the AL Rookie of the Year.

Abreu will (or should) finish in the Top 3 of the AL MVP race for his play in ’14, which included a .317 batting average and 36 home runs.

If the White Sox fix their weaknesses (especially bullpen and another bat to protect Abreu) they should become a player in the Central once again.

Sure, there are other spots they need to fine to so to speak, but that is a start.

It was a fun season (for the most part), but the win-to-loss ratio could have (should have) been better, still as I said earlier … it was better than last year and that’s something to hang on I guess.

Also, thank you to everyone who read Southside Showdown this past season, and stay with us this offseason. Please spread the word about what we do here, because this offseason will be full of great White Sox talk, articles and information.

Again, Thank You for reading, and we hope to keep improving just like the White Sox this offseason and into the ’15 season.

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• Miguel Cairo’s words spark life into the Chicago White Sox
• Dylan Cease should be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award
• Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa

In other White Sox news:

• Carlos Rodon, the White Sox No. 1 prospect, could start in ’15 writes whitesox.com.

• CSN Chicago writes “the front office thinks the White Sox can contend in 2015.”

• Konerko talks about his final game in this Chicago Tribune video.

• Here is what ESPN Chicago wrote about the rebuilding of the White Sox.

• At SS, we wrote about how the White Sox will draft at No. 8 overall in ’15.

• Here is what the Chicago Sun-Times wrote about Konerko.

• Also at SS, Eaton finished with a .300 batting average.