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Paul Konerko,Bobby Grich&others from the1995 San Bernandino Spirit Teamsigned baseball
Notable Signatures:Paul Konerko (Minor League signature & his only year with the Spirit) & Bob Grich
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Paul KonerkoLos Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati RedsKonerko was drafted in the first round (13th overall) of the1994 MLB draftby theLos Angeles Dodgers. On May 13, 1995, with theSan Bernardino Spirit, he drove in the only run of a 21-inning game. It was the longestshutoutinCalifornia Leaguehistory.[3]Konerko played for theTriple-AAlbuquerque Dukes.
He is one of three Dodgers position players to have been twice selected for the Dodgers organization\'s \"Minor League Player of the Year\" award, along withBilly AshleyandJoc Pederson.[4]
He played parts of the 1997 and 1998 seasons with the Dodgers. In a little more than 150 at bats, he hit just 4 home runs.[5]
Konerko was traded, along with lefty pitcherDennys Reyes, by the Dodgers to theCincinnati Redsfor All Star closerJeff Shaw.[6]Konerko played 26 games with the Reds.[7]
Chicago White Sox1999–2005: Early years, World Series championOn November 11, 1998, Konerko was traded by the Reds to the White Sox forMike Cameron.[8]
In 2000, with a 95–67 record, the White Sox made the playoffs for the first time since 1993. Konerko made his first postseason appearance that year, when the White Sox lost to theSeattle Marinersin the2000 American League Division Series(ALDS). The Mariners swept the series in 3 games, and in 9 at-bats, Konerko had no hits. He got on base once on awalk.
Konerko (right) andJermaine Dye(left) present a jersey to then-PresidentGeorge W. Bushas the White Sox are honored at theWhite Housefor their victory in the2005 World Series.
In 2005, the White Sox defeated theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheimin theAmerican League Championship Series(ALCS). After going 0 for 4 in the first game[9]and 1 for 4 in the second game,[10]Konerko hit 3 for 4 with three RBI\'s in the third game of the ALCS against the Angels.[11]Two of the RBI\'s came from a home run in the first inning. In Game 4, Konerko was 1 for 4 with three RBI\'s on another first inninghome run,[12]the second in as many nights. In Game 5, Konerko went 1 for 5 with another RBI[13]He was named the ALCSMVPon the strength of a .268batting average, two home runs and seven RBI\'s[14]He said, \"I think you could split this four ways\", referring to his feeling that theMVPshould be awarded to the White Soxstarting pitcherswho pitched four consecutive complete games in the ALCS.
In Game 2 of the 2005 World Series, Konerko hit the first grand slam in White Sox World Series history[15]to put the White Sox ahead 6–4.[16]It was also the first grand slam in postseason history to give a team the lead when trailing in the seventh inning or later. Those were Konerko\'s only RBI\'s of the World Series, but they were critical in giving the White Sox the momentum to complete a four-game sweep of theHouston Astrosand they were the most for a White Sox hitter in the series. Konerko caught the final out for every one of the series-clinching games throughout the playoffs.[17]
2006–2014: Team captainFollowing the 2005 World Series victory, Konerko signed a five-year $60million deal with the White Sox on November 30, 2005 after reportedly turning down more lucrative offers from theLos Angeles Angelsand theBaltimore Orioles.[18]
Konerko became the face of the White Sox franchise after the departure of Frank Thomas who was the face of the franchise during the 1990s. Konerko concluded the 2006 season with 35 home runs, helping him rank in the top 10 for total home runs over the past three seasons, after hitting over 40 home runs in 2004 and 2005. In 2010, he was second in the American League forhome runswith 39.[19]
First baseman Konerko (left) andAndruw Jonesduring a spring training game in Arizona, 2008
On September 18, 2008, Konerko became the last opposing player to hit a home run atYankee Stadium[20]in the 9th inning of a 9–2 White Sox loss.
On Monday, April 13, 2009, Konerko connected back to back withJermaine Dyefor the 300th home run of both players\' respective careers off ofDetroit TigerspitcherZach Miner. This was the first time that this had ever happened in Major League history; where two players had hit a century milestone home run in one game, let alone back to back.[21]
On July 7, 2009, Konerko was 3 for 4 with three home runs including seven RBIs in a 10–6 win against the Cleveland Indians. It was the first time in his big league career that he hit three home runs in a game.[22]He is also the only White Sox player to accomplish that atU.S. Cellular Field.
On July 10, 2010, Konerko was announced to replace Twins first basemanJustin Morneauat the2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. This was the fourth All-Star selection of his career.[23]Near the end of the 2010 season, Konerko was hit in the face byMinnesota TwinspitcherCarl Pavano. This resulted in major controversy. White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle returned the favor in the next inning hitting Twins first basemanMichael Cuddyer. Both teams then received a warning from the head umpire and no further incidents occurred. Refusing to leave the game, Konerko hit a solo home run on the first pitch he saw in his next at bat against Pavano.[24]
Konerko finished the 2010 season with 39 home runs, his most since 2005 and the third-highest total of his career.[7]Additionally, he was in fifth place in the year\'s MVP voting, the highest finish of his career to date.
On December 8, 2010, Konerko re-signed with theChicago White Soxfor 3 years worth $37.5 million.[25]
On June 1, 2011, Konerko hit his 377th career home run in a game against the Boston Red Sox, passing former White Sox playerCarlton Fiskon the White Sox all-time home run list. Konerko is now second on the club\'s home run list currently with 400 as a member of the White Sox, trailing onlyFrank Thomas\' 448.[26]
On June 10, 2011, Konerko hit a home run in a game against the Oakland Athletics, setting the franchise record for consecutive games with an extra base hit at 9 games.[27]On June 20, 2011, Konerko hit his 385th career home run in a game against the Chicago Cubs, passing former White Sox playerHarold Baineson the all-time home run list. On June 21, 2011, Konerko continued his hot June when he homered in a game against the Chicago Cubs and his 5th straight game, becoming the 5th player in White Sox history to hit a home run in 5 consecutive games. The other 5 areGreg Luzinski,Ron Kittle,Frank Thomas(twice),Carlos Lee, and most recentlyA. J. Pierzynskiin 2012.[28]Konerko made it onto his fifth All-Star team after winning theFinal Votecontest for the American League.
On August 23, 2011, Konerko recorded his 2,000th hit in the top of the 8th inning to tie the game at 4 to 4 against the Angels.
Konerko finished the season with 30 home runs, 105 RBIs, and a .300 batting average, the 5th time in his career that he finished with 30 home runs and 100+ RBIs.
In October 2011, White Sox general managerKenny Williamsadmitted that he briefly considered naming Konerkoplayer-managerfor Chicago after the departure of managerOzzie Guillén. However, Williams never discussed the possibility with Konerko. Former White Sox playerRobin Venturawas named manager for the upcoming 2012 season.[29]There has not been a player-manager in Major League Baseball sincePete Roseserved in the capacity for theCincinnati Redsin 1986.
In November 2011, Konerko was inducted into theArizona Fall League Hall of Famealong withPhilliesfirst basemanRyan Howard.[30]
On April 25, 2012, Konerko hit his 400th career home run, passingAl KalineandAndrés Galarragaand becoming the 48th player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs. Konerko was named the American League Player of the Week for the week of April 23–29. He hit .435 with 3 HR and 4 RBI. He led the AL in slugging and total bases that week.[31]
Konerko continued his hot hitting into the month of May as he racked up his second American League Player of the Week award of the season for the week of May 23–29. He hit .583 with 3 HR, 10 RBI, and a 14-game hitting streak, including his 400th career home run as a member of the White Sox, becoming only the second player in franchise history to hit 400 home runs, Frank Thomas being the first.[32]
On July 1, 2012, Konerko was elected by his peers, along with teammatesAdam Dunn,Jake PeavyandChris Saleto the83rd All-Star Gamein Kansas City. It was his sixth All-star appearance and his third in three years.
Paul Konerko batting against the Detroit Tigers in 2012
Konerko\'s production declined in 2013, hitting .244 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI, his lowest number of both home runs and RBI since joining the White Sox. On December 4, 2013, Konerko re-signed with the White Sox to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.[33]
On April 23, 2014, Konerko doubled off of Detroit Tigers pitcherJustin Millerto break Frank Thomas\' franchise total bases record with his 3,950th total base.[34]*
*Wikipedia
Bob Grich -
Grich was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1st round (19th pick) of the1967 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his debut with Baltimore midway through the 1970 season. Later that season, the Orioles defeated theCincinnati Redsto win theWorld Series.
Between 1969 and 1974, the Orioles featured a loaded roster that resulted in the team winning won five of six of AL East Division titles. Grich\'s emergence was blocked by incumbent second basemanDavey Johnson, but the Orioles thought highly of Grich and traded Johnson to theBravesfollowing the 1972 season.
In 1973, Grich set an all-time major league fielding record with a .995fielding percentage, and 12 seasons later in 1985, he broke the record again (.997). He won four consecutiveGold Glove Awardsand made theAmerican League All-Starsquad six times. He was an excellent fielder, with good range, soft hands, and a good arm, and he was steady turning thedouble play.
Grich became a free agent following the 1976 season and signed a multi-year contract with theCalifornia Angels. Hebatted.294 in 1979, adding 30 homers and 101 RBI. In the strike-shortened 1981 season, Grich tied the lead in home runs (22, along withTony Armas,Dwight Evans, andEddie Murray), led inslugging average(.543), and hit a career-high .304.
While with the Orioles, Grich appeared in the World Series in 1970 and 1971 and played in theAmerican League Championship Series(ALCS) in 1973 and 1974, when Baltimore lost to Oakland. The Angels made their first three postseason appearances during Grich\'s tenure, losing to the Orioles in the 1979 ALCS and again to theMilwaukee Brewersin 1982. Grich came closest in his final MLB season (1986), when the Angels, leading the ALCS by a 3-1 margin and thus needing just one more win to advance to the World Series, blew a 5-2 lead to theBoston Red Soxin the ninth inning of Game 5, then losing Games 6 and 7 as well. Grich hit a home run in Game 5 that deflected off center fielderDave Henderson\'s glove, putting the Angels on top 3-2. But with the Red Sox down to their final strike, Henderson hit a home run to put Boston ahead. In the post-game interviews following Game 7, Grich announced his retirement.
Over 17 seasons, Grichbatted.266, with 224 home runs, 864 RBI, 1033runs, 1833hits, and a .371on-base percentagein 2008 games. When commenting on his baseball career, he stated: \"I was short on talent so I had to be long on intensity.\"
Highlights
- 6-time All-Star (1972, 1974, 1976, 1979–80, 1982)
- 4-time Gold Glove (1973–76)
- Twice Top 10MVP(1974, 1979)
- Led league in slugging average (1981)
- Led league in home runs (1981)
- First second baseman to lead AL in home runs sinceNap Lajoie(1901) and in either league sinceRogers Hornsby(1929).
- Hit three consecutive home runs in a game (1974)
- Set anAL2Brecord with 484putoutsin a season (1974)
- The first player elected to the Angels\' Hall of Fame (1996)*
*Wikipedia
*Ken Griffey, Jr. is also a former member of the San Bernandino Spirit
