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06-30-2002, 01:30 AM
Paul Konerko's recent home run barrage — 12 in June — has put him among the league leaders in that category.
If, as expected, Konerko is named Sunday night as an American League reserve to the All-Star Game, he may be one of the four American League hitters asked to participate in the home run contest. The competition is held the day before the midsummer classic in Milwaukee's Miller Park.
Konerko came into Saturday's game fourth in AL homers with 20, trailing Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome and Jason Giambi. Major League Baseball usually invites the top three players in the home run standings of each league, plus one wild-card entry from each league.
Konerko likely will get one of those spots if he's selected to the AL squad by manager Joe Torre.
Frank Thomas has participated in home run contests at All-Star Games and knows it can affect a hitter's swing when he comes back from the break.
"I've told Paulie that," Thomas said. "He's never been a big home run hitter in batting practice. He's more of a line-drive hitter. He might have to do it, but the streak he's on, he's not just hitting home runs. He's hitting line drives.
"I told him if he's not selected for [the contest] to not be upset about it. It messes up a lot of guys' swings. It really takes a lot out of you to try and rip the ball out of the ballpark."
Konerko didn't want to be presumptuous and assume he'd be invited to either the game or the homer competition. But if he is selected, he's not worried about his swing.
"I'm sure I have enough mental capacity to make sure I get back to myself," he said. "I've been in home run derbies before in the minor leagues. I know it's a bigger deal [in the majors]. I know what Frank is getting at, but I'm not concerned. I don't care one way or the other, [but] I'd probably do it if they asked me. It doesn't seem to mess up other players that have been in it."
Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa is an annual participant in the contest and beat Ken Griffey Jr. for the title in 2000. Sosa is expected to be invited again along with the Giants' Barry Bonds and the Dodgers' Shawn Green.
The fourth NL contestant may be Richie Sexson of the Brewers, giving Milwaukee fans one of their own to cheer.
If, as expected, Konerko is named Sunday night as an American League reserve to the All-Star Game, he may be one of the four American League hitters asked to participate in the home run contest. The competition is held the day before the midsummer classic in Milwaukee's Miller Park.
Konerko came into Saturday's game fourth in AL homers with 20, trailing Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome and Jason Giambi. Major League Baseball usually invites the top three players in the home run standings of each league, plus one wild-card entry from each league.
Konerko likely will get one of those spots if he's selected to the AL squad by manager Joe Torre.
Frank Thomas has participated in home run contests at All-Star Games and knows it can affect a hitter's swing when he comes back from the break.
"I've told Paulie that," Thomas said. "He's never been a big home run hitter in batting practice. He's more of a line-drive hitter. He might have to do it, but the streak he's on, he's not just hitting home runs. He's hitting line drives.
"I told him if he's not selected for [the contest] to not be upset about it. It messes up a lot of guys' swings. It really takes a lot out of you to try and rip the ball out of the ballpark."
Konerko didn't want to be presumptuous and assume he'd be invited to either the game or the homer competition. But if he is selected, he's not worried about his swing.
"I'm sure I have enough mental capacity to make sure I get back to myself," he said. "I've been in home run derbies before in the minor leagues. I know it's a bigger deal [in the majors]. I know what Frank is getting at, but I'm not concerned. I don't care one way or the other, [but] I'd probably do it if they asked me. It doesn't seem to mess up other players that have been in it."
Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa is an annual participant in the contest and beat Ken Griffey Jr. for the title in 2000. Sosa is expected to be invited again along with the Giants' Barry Bonds and the Dodgers' Shawn Green.
The fourth NL contestant may be Richie Sexson of the Brewers, giving Milwaukee fans one of their own to cheer.