End of an Era?

"Paulie, Paulie, Paulie," may have been chanted for the last time by myself and the rest of the 24,539 White Sox fans in attendance for the last game of the 2010 regular season. The game officially ended when the Sox's apparent closer of the future Chris Sale threw Cleveland's Michael Brantley out on a soft grounder to second, but an era in White Sox history may have ended with one out in the top of the seventh inning. It was at this point in the game that manager Ozzie Guillen decided to pull first baseman Paul Konerko, having put in a solid performance on the day going two for three at the plate. Instantly, Sox fans throughout the ballpark decided to start one last, oh-so familiar chant, a chant that had been a big part of the Sox home game experience throughout the last decade: "Paulie, Paulie, Paulie!" All Sox fans in attendance chanted to show their appreciation to the White Sox captain, whom fans knew may never be seen in a Sox uniform again. The feeling in the park at that moment was electric, and it culminated with Konerko coming out of the dugout for one last curtain call. At the end of the game, all in attendance were addressed over the P.A. system by Konerko and A.J Pierzynski, whose future with the White Sox is also in question. Konerko's speech thanking us for accepting him and his family in our city only drove home the point that there is a good chance he won't be back for the 2011 season.

If it was truly Konerko's good-bye for good that I, and everyone else in attendance, witnessed, then the question remains: "Who's on first?" In the beginning of the season, and especially during the Sox mid-season run that put them in first place at the All-Star break, it seemed as though Dayan Viciedo was the heir apparent for the position. With seven doubles, five home runs and a .308 batting average in 104 at bats, he may very well still be, but he also struck out 25 times in those 104 at bats. During the final stretch of the season that saw the Sox lose eight games in a row at one point and end up six games behind the Twins in the division, it seemed as though Viciedo struck out every at bat. While Viciedo did show some promise at times during 2010, it would be hard for the White Sox to argue that they are not in rebuilding mode if he is their first baseman to start the 2011 season.

If the Sox don't bring back Paulie and decide that Viciedo is not ready, then that leaves the possibility of finding a player on the free agent market or through a trade. There were rumblings in the beginning of the 2010 season of a possible trade for the San Diego Padres' first baseman Adrian Gonzales, but with the Padres positioned to make a run at the playoffs again in 2011, this doesn't seem likely. As for the free agent market the possibilities include Derrek Lee, Adam Dunn, Carlos Pena, Jorge Cantu and numerous second rate first basemen. I would rather have Konerko over any of those guys. It will be an interesting off-season to keep an eye on. Here's hoping that Paulie comes back, but if not, thank you Mr. Konerko for the memories, the excitement and, of course, the World  Series ring.