Lost in the shadow of Derek Jeter’s season long retirement party is Paul Konerko.
You see, back in December, the Chicago White Sox first baseman announced 2014 would be his last season, but, it would seem, it wasn’t until late in the campaign before anyone decided to remember. That is, until Saturday, when the Southsiders pulled out all the stops and did their own Jeter-style celebration for their retiring superstar.
With a gaggle of teammates (both past and present looking on), Konerko received a slew of gifts. Two guitars (who needs just one?), a Konerko-themed oil painting, a bench hand-crafted by former White Sox slugger Ron Kittle and, honestly, something better than anything Jeets got. And, no, I’m not talking about the statue in left-center.
I’m talking about this.
//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.jsThat’s White Sox fan Chris Claeys. During the second game of the 2005 World Series, Kornerko hit a grand slam, and in the process, became the first big leaguer to ever hit a solo, two-run, three-run home run and grand slam in postseason history. Claeys caught that ball. Saturday, he presented it to Konerko. “I just totally agreed with the concept of Paul getting this ball,” Claeys told reporters. “I think Paul is a class guy. There was no money passed. The Sox just gave me perks: a suite tonight for 20 friends and family. I said I just really want a photograph of me and Paul, and Paul to write, ‘Chris, thanks for my 2005 World Series grand slam ball. PK.’ Whatever. That’s really all I wanted was that.” But, wait, the story gets better. In the third inning, Claeys caught a foul ball…off the bat of, you guessed it, Paul Konerko.
Chris Claeys — the fan who returned the WS ball to PK — caught a PK foul ball shortly after. Talk about good karma! pic.twitter.com/qLeJ11fsDJ
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 28, 2014
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“This has been an awesome experience,” Claeys added. “I’m having a really great day!”
Well played, Chris…but I’m pretty sure that’s the understatement of the century.
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