Struggling to boost attendance, the White Sox’ always creative vice president and chief marketing officer, Brooks Boyer, announced the team has scheduled 12 additional Paul Konerko Days.
The long-time Sox captain’s jersey was retired during ceremonies on May 23 in front of a standing room crowd of 40,000 fans.
While the team continues to finalize plans for the events, among the festivities will be a day when many of Konerko’s lesser known teammates will be honor the former first-sacker telling of their personal experiences.
“Paulie still laughs his head off when I tell my story about the day I gave up 14 runs and 19 hits to the Tigers in 1999,” former Sox pitcher James Baldwin, who will attend, told WhiteSox.com.
“Karko [catcher Ron Karkovice] MF’d me for an hour that day after I got sent to the showers.”
Among those expected at one or more of the events are outfielders Lyle Mouton and McKay Christensen, pitchers Kelly Wunsch and Rocky Biddle and infielder Harold Perry.
Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford will throw out the first pitch before a game with the Blue Jays on July 6.
“Yeah, the S.O.B. killed my Jays for years,” Ford said of Konerko. “But for a limo ride, a few bottles of Jack and some local talent, I’m there.”
“We’re going to do some special things for Paulie on his days,” Boyer said.
“While we’ve retired his jersey, on some of the days we’ll honor Paulie’s batting gloves, arm sleeve and jockstrap.”
