Paul Konerko was born on this date in 1976, in Providence, Rhode Island.
Konerko signed his first professional contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994, after being selected as the 13th overall pick in the first round of the MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 1997. However, it was after being traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1999 that Konerko truly found his place in the MLB, becoming one of the most beloved figures in the team's history.
During his playing career, Konerko was known for his clutch hitting and leadership on and off the field. He was a key player in the White Sox's 2005 World Series championship run, the team's first in 88 years, and was named the American League Championship Series MVP.
Over the course of his career, Konerko was selected to six All-Star games and hit over 400 home runs in his career, solidifying his status as one of the premier hitters of his era. His number 14 was retired by the White Sox in 2015.
After his retirement Konerko moved on to coaching, but not at the level you'd think. During 2020, he and former MLB reliever J.J. Putz both coached their sons' team in under-11 baseball.
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