How About a Hand for White Sox’ Konerko?

September 6, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Paul Konerko may not bat again this season. Which means he might not bat again in his major-league career. The Chicago White Sox first baseman/designated hitter, who is retiring after this season, has a broken bone in his left hand. If it wasn’t so late in the season, he would land on the 15-day disabled list. “If you can’t swing a bat or catch a throw from an infielder, it’s tough to play,” he said after the Sox lost 2-1 in 10 innings at Cleveland. “I don’t know what it’s going to feel like, but I know bones don’t usually heal in a week.” OK, so he’s not a doctor, but I think he just played one on TV (or in the locker room or wherever).

Video below of IFBB bikini pro Valeria Ammirato.

* If Konerko is unable to hit or play the field, he always could be used as a pinch-runner (although commissioner Bud Selig might intervene “in the best interests of the game” to see that does not occur). Konerko might be able to convince Selig otherwise — provided he can outrun the commissioner.

* Sox manager Robin Ventura believes Konerko will play again this season. Then again, he thought the Sox would challenge for the American League Central title this season.

* Speaking of the Sox, left-hander Chris Sale allowed one run in six innings vs. the Indians and departed after 98 pitches. On the bright side, he does lead the American League in earned-run average (2.09 to 2.18 for Seattle’s Felix Hernandez). It appears no one in the AL will win 20 games this season. Meaning Sale’s chances for winning the league’s Cy Young Award might be improving (although “King Felix” has some numbers even more impressive than Sale’s).

* Watching Cubs rookie Arismendy Alcantara patrol center field makes an observer think he really might have a future — as a second baseman.

* Speaking of the Cubs (whose game Friday was suspended and is to be completed Saturday), with Cincinnati losing once again Friday, the Cubs can move into a tie for fourth place in the National League Central by beating Pittsburgh twice Saturday and the Reds losing again. If that does occur, does anyone know where the parade and celebration will be held?

* Rather than have team captains for the season, the Chicago Bears will have them on a game-by-game basis. If nothing else, this move by coach Marc Trestman will save the team the cost of sewing a “C” on five jerseys (there were five captains last season).

* Speaking of the Bears, is there any reason — other than for gambling purposes (and that includes fantasy football) — to be concerned about who’s playing or not playing Sunday in the regular-season opener against Buffalo at Soldier Field?

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