Thursday, September 15, 2016

Greatest White Sox Team of All-Time-- Part 2: First base-- Konerko, Thomas and Thome

PAUL KONERKO--  The leader of the 2005 World Series Champions, Konerko played 16 seasons for the Sox.  He hit 30 or more home runs seven times and finished his career with 432 in Sox uniform.

Konerko had six seasons with 100 or more RBIs.  In nineteen career postseason games, Konerko slugged seven homers, including a grand slam to win a game in the 2005 World Series.

Everybody loved "Paulie."

FRANK THOMAS--  "The Big Hurt" hit 448 home runs in Sox uniform.  He drove in 100 or more runs ten times, including a team high 143 in 2000.

Thomas batted .320 or better five times, leading the league at .347 in 1997.  He also won back-to-back MVP awards 1993-94 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.

JIM THOME--  Thome hit 134 of his 612 career home runs in his four seasons with the Sox.  His best season with the Sox was his first, 2006, when he hit 42 home runs and drove in 109 runs.  His most memorable moment came in 2008, during the "Blackout Game" when his solo homer gave the Sox a 1-0 victory in a one-game playoff with the Twins.

Always one of my favorite Sox players.  I was so excited when they got him after winning the World series in 2005, figuring we'll be back.

I really liked the last three players nominated for best Sox first baseman, but will have to go with "The Big Hurt." He hit all those home runs in the era of Sammy Sosa but didn't use any power enhancing drugs.

--CootHurt

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