BENCH (OR TRADE) PAUL KONERKO NOW!

Ozzie Guillen said, "Just be patient. Be patient with Konerko, hopefully he comes out of this problem, hopefully soon, and we'll see what we have."

Wait, what? Ozzie Guillen said that? He's coming to the defense of Paul Konerko? The White Sox "captain" is batting .213 with nine HR and 35 RBI. Konerko is taking the attitude that things will just get better.

What? When? White Sox fans have been waiting... and waiting... and continuing to wait... White Sox fans don't want to bash Paul Konerko.

Rationale #1: He was a critical part of the 2005 World Series team.

This isn't 2005. Paul Konerko might have peaked. This season is a waste of $12 million.

Rationale #2: Paul Konerko is "clutch."

Yeah right... Paul Konerko is batting .192 with one HR with runners in scoring position. Even worse, when there's running in scoring position with two outs, he's batting a measly .118.

Rationale #3: He'll get better, you'll see!

When? Seriously. I've had this mentality, but have finally given it up. His injury was excusable. He'll be better after the All-Star break. When? It hasn't happened. It won't happen. He's doing even worse post All-Star break batting .200 with a .273 OBP.

Rationale #4: There's nobody else.

a. Move Swisher to First Base - he plays great there. Put Brian Anderson in center field - even he's doing better and has performed more clutch this year than Paul Konerko. That's a sad season for baseball.
b. Trade him - yes, Konerko can veto the trade, but it's worth a try. We need a first baseman. The Angels got to Mark Teixeria first. I'm sure there's some sort of deal that can be made with the Orioles (who courted Konerko after 2005). There's Aubrey Huff or Kevin Millar if Swisher is stay in the outfield.

TO OZZIE GUILLEN,

BENCH OR TRADE PAUL KONERKO IMMEDIATELY. HE'S DOING NOTHING, I REPEAT NOTHING, FOR THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX OFFENSE. HE DOES NOT COME THROUGH IN CLUTCH SITUATIONS AND HE'S NOT PRODUCING OFFENSIVELY AT ALL. QUIT YOUR DEFENSE OF PAULY AND TELLING WHITE SOX FANS TO WAIT. AS A FAN, I CAN SAY I'VE WAITED LONG ENOUGH. HIS SWING HASN'T IMPROVED AND SHOWS ABSOLUTELY ZERO SIGNS OF FUTURE IMPROVEMENT. IT'S TIME TO GO BACK TO BEING NORMAL OZZY AND NOT MAKING AN EXCEPTION FOR YOUR DESIGNATED TEAM "CAPTAIN." THE WHITE SOX LEAD IS WHITHERED TO HALF A GAME AND PAUL KONERKO IS ACTIVELY HINDERING THE TEAM'S CHANCE AT SUCCESS.

FROM,
A FRUSTRATED WHITE SOX FAN