Captain Paulie????

[Chisox73]

Konerko conflicted by talk of captaincy
While flattered, he wonders if it will disrupt White Sox chemistry
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060125&content_id=1301069&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws

CHICAGO -- Being a staunch supporter of the National Hockey League, Paul Konerko was able to relate to at least one responsibility not required of him if he became the White Sox team captain in 2006, as manager Ozzie Guillen has spoken of previously.

"I don't know if there will be too many 'too many men on the ice' penalties where I have to talk to the referees," said Konerko with a wry smile, drawing a hearty laugh Wednesday from reporters at an appearance at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

"But I don't want to make fun of this because I'm flattered that even came up. It's something that as a player you should work to. If you are considered for captain, I'll take that over the numbers. You still want to perform, but you work toward that as a player. You can't do that in one year."

Although Konerko was more than flattered by Guillen's captain talk at a news conference after he was named American League Manager of the Year, Konerko still might accept the honor but decline the nomination like many great political candidates before him. The suggestion by Guillen was not something that has been talked about with Konerko, only a sound bite that the All-Star first baseman has heard during the past few months.

Konerko realizes, though, that this White Sox team functioned as a World Series champion for almost all of the 2005 season because it played as one unit. On Wednesday, he wasn't quite sure if having a captain would disrupt that special clubhouse camaraderie.

"We have a handful of guys on this team who guys look toward, but the way our team operates best is that everyone has an equal voice," Konerko said. "Everyone right down to the guy who has 10 days in the big leagues are all treated with the same respect.

"There's no ranking of time and that kind of stuff. That's when things go south. When you play it cool and treat everyone equally, you get better results. I don't know about the wearing of the C thing and stuff like that.

"Again, I don't know if the mix is right in baseball and even more so on our team. We have a good thing going and let's keep it going or start a new thing going. Ozzie might see it as a bigger deal. I haven't sat down and talked to Ozzie. I'm not saying I wouldn't do it, but I would have to sit down and talk about it. It's best we are all on the same page."

Konerko was on the same page with general manager Ken Williams where beefing up the White Sox offense was concerned. While he was sad to see a good friend and key contributor, Aaron Rowand, moved to Philadelphia, the addition of Jim Thome was a major offseason step toward the South Siders' repeat title hopes in 2006.

It wasn't an essential move for free agent Konerko to return to the White Sox, which he did via a five-year, $60 million deal. Instead, it was one of the many moves made by Williams, which made sense for the good of the franchise.

As Konerko pointed out Wednesday, none of Williams' acquisitions "came out of left field." The additions of Thome, Rob Mackowiak and Javier Vazquez simply filled needs on offense or further strengthened an already top-notch pitching staff.

"When a couple of weeks go by and nothing happens, it's more surprising with me than when something happens," said Konerko of Williams' frequent maneuvering. "He's always looking to do something, and he made smart moves.

"We won some games that were too close to call, where if we tried to do it again, it could go the other way. Some would even call it luck. To not address those needs and try to ride that wave through Spring Training, the regular season and the playoffs, it's asking a lot."

White Sox fans will be asking a lot from Konerko and his crew in 2006, as they try to bring home another World Series title. But Konerko, as well as relievers Cliff Politte and Neal Cotts, who were also in attendance Wednesday, realize what an impact last year's championship already had on the city itself and the nation of White Sox fans.

Politte mentioned how he used to go relatively unnoticed in his hometown of St. Louis, but he signed a bunch of autographs for people this offseason, as well as making some public appearances. Konerko has resided in Scottsdale, Ariz., for some period of time since he was a little boy, and always blended into the scenery -- until he became a key contributor on a world champion.

There also are the fans who stop Konerko on the street, telling him where they were when key moments went down in each momentous postseason victory. It helped Konerko realize the far-reaching nature of his team's accomplishment.

"We know that it's bigger than the players," said Konerko, who was the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series. "We will come and go in a certain amount of years, but for the city it's a huge deal."

Now, Konerko has the chance to be the captain of a second World Series title run, somewhat akin to the Yankees' Derek Jeter. But for the White Sox to win again, Konerko believes that captain designation might not be the best thing for the team.

Having Konerko back with the White Sox, though, clearly works greatly in the team's favor.

"It's signaling out one person, and I don't know if I agree with that," Konerko said. "I don't want to offend anyone, but this team operates best when we are all uniform and the same."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Chisox73]

Notes: Paulie warms to 'C'
Konerko could accept captain role; Sox arms feel strong
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060128&content_id=1302968&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws

CHICAGO -- The great White Sox captain's debate officially was put to rest Saturday morning, when Paul Konerko announced he officially would wear the "C" on his No. 14 jersey in 2006.

Konerko's statement came as a response to a fan's question during a session focused on World Series memories, involving the White Sox first baseman, Joe Crede and Jon Garland, during the sold-out SoxFest festivities at the Hyatt Regency. The fan implored Konerko to accept the captain's role, stating that the "C" stood for all of the White Sox fans in the city.

"I thought this question might come up," said Konerko with a smile. "It wasn't that I was against it or that I didn't think I deserved it. I just thought maybe it didn't have a place in baseball, in general.

"It seemed kind of like a hockey thing," Konerko elaborated.

With or without the official designation, Konerko is the White Sox leader. He is an unassuming superstar who doesn't exactly crave the spotlight, as evidenced by his humble reaction to the weekend standing ovations and constant chanting of his name by the fans. But he is the player who sets the tone for the team, both on and off the field.

Manager Ozzie Guillen made it clear on Friday that he was not changing his mind, and Konerko would be the team captain in the upcoming season. Guillen made his thought process clear to Konerko during an informal chat later that evening.

"It's Ozzie's team, and he will probably manage this team long after we are done playing for it," Konerko said. "He wants to start a tradition now, so I just happened to be the first guy he wants to wear it, and there will be guys after me.

"When I heard it said in that context, I was like, 'Okay. It's his team and he can do what he wants.' If he wants me to wear it, I'm honored to wear it."

The prolific slugger joked earlier this week that becoming a captain certainly won't mean he has to talk with officials on the field after a penalty, as often happens in hockey. He does understand the "C" will be a new source of derisive humor for his teammates during the upcoming campaign.

"Basically, what it does is, for six months, it gives these guys one more thing to get on me about," Konerko joked. "I'll hear about this every single day. They will wear me out."

Strong armed: Jon Garland threw a career-high 221 innings in 2005, not factoring in his All-Star appearance and postseason starts. But the right-hander, who recently agreed to a three-year deal to stay with the White Sox, said his arm feels the same as it has every other year he has pitched.

"I'm right where I'm supposed to be," Garland said. "My arm and body feels good."

The wear and tear placed on the White Sox pitching staff, especially the starters, has been a primary topic of conversation at SoxFest -- especially with sixth starter Brandon McCarthy in attendance. General manager Ken Williams reiterated Saturday that McCarthy not only could begin the season in the bullpen, but may also be used as a spot starter if one of the front five needs a break.

Garland mentioned that he could have thrown a few more games at the end of the 2005 campaign if needed, although he didn't know if those efforts would have been of the spectacular variety. All pitchers go through dead-arm periods, according to Garland, including Mark Buehrle, whose comments during the World Series that he was having some arm soreness set off a slight wave of concern during the offseason.

But Garland said Friday that his friend and teammate would be more than ready for 2006, without any restrictions.

"I talked to him and he's not hurt. He's Mark. He will do his thing," Garland said of Buehrle. "It happens. You get tired. You play 162 games, 30 in Spring Training, and then the playoffs.

"You are throwing every day, so you will get tired. It's going to happen."

So long, farewell: Cleveland's trade of Coco Crisp to Boston has at least one major supporter in Guillen, who is glad to have the talented switch-hitter out of the American League Central.

"I was quietly looking for that deal," said Guillen of Crisp, who has a .289 average with six home runs and 20 RBIs against the White Sox over the past three years. "Coco gives me one of the biggest headaches in our division.

"[The Indians] bring in good players . But to have one of those guys who murder the White Sox in the past, it's nice to not see him over there."

Familiar face: Although Darrin Jackson was not around for the White Sox drive to the World Series title, he certainly was paying close attention to the team's 11-1 postseason run.

"I got to sit back and watch and enjoy the games like a fan," said Jackson, who returns as the team's television analyst for 2006. "I could not remember ever seeing so dominating of a performance in the World Series before. It was just fun to watch."

Around the horn: Neither Guillen nor Jermaine Dye will take part in the final day of SoxFest, as they are traveling to New York for the Baseball Writers' Dinner. Guillen will be honored as Manager of the Year, while Dye will be recognized for winning the World Series Most Valuable Player. Both Roland Hemond and former White Sox hurler Orlando 'El Duque' Hernandez also are being recognized. "It's another part of my current caravan," said Guillen of his busy offseason. "But it's another nice trophy for this year. ... The World Series trophy made a stop at the Bulls game Saturday night, joined by a number of members of the organization, including Konerko, Crede and Garland. ... The White Sox sold $94,000 worth of merchandise through their garage sale Friday night alone, with all money going to White Sox Charities. Their total for the entire 2005 SoxFest checked in at $85,000.

[I]Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.