Comments on: Konerko’s Not Dead Yet

By: Son P Sear

Son P Sear — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:22:53 +0000

Very informative – always spread your message. Getting excited about an update. For too long now have I had the need to get started on my personal blog. Guess if I wait any more I will never ever take action. I’ll be sure to add you to my Blogroll. Many thanks!!

By: Newcomer

Newcomer — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:14:01 +0000

Answering a question that was never answered this winter for you. As a White Sox fan, I can tell you that the thumb injury in question had a definite effect on Konerko for much of last season. He took a few games off early on because of swelling and pain in his thumb, but the injury continued to bother him all the way until he sat out in June. They felt it was better to have him play through it, despite the fact that it wasn’t getting better. It was regularly discussed in the Chicago media. Konerko said that making solid contact once was enough to make his hand hurt for a few days. He appeared to be adjusting his swing and releasing the bat from his hand as soon as possible, which was detrimental to his swing. It was very clear to us in Chicago that the thumb issue was significantly affecting his performance for the entire first half of the season.

The thumb has apparently been a minor issue throughout his career, acting up once in a while, but last year it was a significant issue over an extended period. Only when he spent significant time out later in the season did it subside.

From what I’ve heard, he has taken precautions, including cortisone shots, to prevent a repeat of those troubles this year. 2008 data on Konerko is clearly injury-related, and 2007 was also a down year, but so far he really looks good in 2009. He looks like 2006 Konerko, and though it’s early in the season, a lot of his batted ball data is very similar to his 2006 data (GB/FB/LD, and while his BABIP is high at .333, that was his 2006 total, so it’s not out of the question). I expect his BABIP to fall but for his GB/FB/LD rates to continue, leading to a good year (maybe .285/.365/.520).

By: Heartburn Home Remedy

Heartburn Home Remedy — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:53 +0000

I can tell that this is not the first time at all that you mention the topic. Why have you chosen it again?

By: Larry Yocum

Larry Yocum — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:36:53 +0000

Why?

Can you be more specific as to why you think that injury was a larger problem than the one that eventually shut him down?

Either way, it was just another injury to add to the list from last year. He looked good down the stretch and I agree with the author that he should be a nice late round sleeper provided that he isn’t dealt to a less friendly ballpark. They are currently shopping him, but he has a no trade clause. Just speculating here, but if he ended up someplace like say SF, then while he would likely be an upgrade for them, it would still be a huge hit on his fantasy value. He is being linked to Anaheim currently.

By: larry

larry — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:39:19 +0000

the hand/finger injury he suffered in april and continued to struggle with for a couple months probably had far more to do with his poor start than the oblique.