Hall of Fame election season is upon us! As members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America begin to publicize their ballots, we will gain a clearer understanding of this winter’s landscape leading into a January announcement of the class of 2020.
Jay Jaffe’s JAWS system has become the closest thing to an accepted standard by which we can compare current candidates to players who have already been enshrined in Cooperstown.
In the coming weeks, we will break down the top-25 players on the 2020 Hall of Fame Ballot.
24. Paul Konerko
JAWS: 24.6 (54.8 Average HOF 1B)
Paul Konerko was drafted 13th overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Chaparral HS in Scottsdale, AZ in 1994. Although he was drafted as a catcher, Konerko shifted from behind the plate while still in the minors. He dabbled at third base, and in left field, but settled at first. Konerko’s offensive production carried him to Baseball America Top-100 prospect status each year from 1995-1998 with a peak rank of #2 before his final season in the minors.
The Dodgers gave Konerko brief tastes of the big leagues in 1997 and 1998. Despite his minor league success, he failed to impress. With veteran first baseman Eric Karros entrenched, and his own viability at other positions very much in question, Konerko became expendable. In July, 1998 the Dodgers traded Konerko to the Reds for All Star closer Jeff Shaw and promising left-hander Dennys Reyes.
The 22-year-old Konerko similarly failed to impress during his brief stint with Cincinnati. With Sean Casey, himself 23, in the process of establishing his career with the Reds, Konerko was again blocked. In November, 1998, the Reds dealt Konerko to the White Sox for another future All Star, and Franchise Phenom (for Seattle), center fielder Mike Cameron.
Home on the South Side
The White Sox immediately installed Konerko in their every day lineup beginning in 1999. Given the opportunity to settle into the big leagues, Konerko quickly established himself as an above-average hitter. From 1999-2002, Konerko averaged .294/.356/.499, 118 OPS+, 26 homers, and 95 RBI. He was an integral part of some ferocious White Sox lineups including the 2000 A.L. Central champions.
After making his first All Star team in 2002, Konerko struggled mightily in 2003. As the Sox battled for a playoff spot, Konerko limped to a miserable 83 OPS+ and -0.6 bWAR. The Sox finished four games behind the Twins. Fans and media alike were highly critical of their star first baseman.
Konerko rebounded in a big way in 2004. He set career highs with 41 homers and 117 RBI. At age 28, Konerko received MVP votes for the first time in his career. The toughness and resiliency he showed in bouncing back from his failed 2003 season endeared him to White Sox fans as never before.
2005
Coming off a huge season in 2004, Konerko was poised to lead the 2005 White Sox on one of the most improbable championship runs in history. Konerko produced a near carbon copy of 2004 with another 40 homer, 100 RBI campaign. The Sox won 99 games and the A.L. Central title. Konerko made his second All Star team and finished sixth in the MVP race.
“Paulie” was an absolute force during the 2005 post season. He clubbed two homers and drove in four runs in Chicago’s sweep of the Red Sox in the ALDS. His tie-breaking two run shot in sixth inning of Game 3 was an exclamation point on a dominant series for the Sox.
Konerko added two more homers and seven RBI in the ALCS as the Sox defeated the Angels in five games. He was named the series MVP.
Chicago held the home field advantage in the World Series against the Houston Astros. The Sox took the opener, but the Astros threatened to tie the series in Game 2. With Houston leading 4-2 with two outs in the seventh, Konerko stepped to the plate with the bases loaded.
The Sox hung on to win Game 2. They completed the sweep in Houston to win the franchise’s first world series championship since 1917. Paul Konerko was an instrumental figure in ending the 87-year drought between White Sox championships– the second-longest such drought in baseball history.
Captain
Following the glory of 2005, the White Sox named Konerko the fourth Team Captain in franchise history. His first-class work ethic and integrity would continue to cement his legacy as one of the most beloved players in White Sox history.
From 2006-2012, Konerko remained one of the most consistently productive hitters in baseball. He averaged .287/.369/.510, 129 OPS+, 30 homers, and 92 RBI. Konerko made four more All Star teams, and received MVP votes three times during this stretch.
The Sox made the playoffs just once more during Konerko’s tenure as A.L. Central champions in 2008.
Despite declining production, Konerko hung around in a leadership capacity in 2013-2014 before retiring after 16 seasons with the White Sox.
Hall of Fame?
Paul Konerko is one of the greatest, and most popular players in White Sox history. He is the starting first baseman and fifth place hitter on our all-time White Sox team here at Franchise Phenoms. His place in White Sox lore is firmly established.
Unfortunately for Konerko and White Sox fans alike, it appears that 2020 will be his lone year on the ballot. He falls well below the established standards for Hall of Fame first basemen.
Even if Konerko never earns enshrinement in Cooperstown, there is little doubt that he will go down in history as one of the all-time great White Sox. For Chicago fans who lived through the lean years between championships, and for those who witnessed the improbable euphoria of 2005, Paul Konerko’s memory will endure.