name	Paul Konerko
width	240
team	Chicago White Sox
number	14
position	First baseman
birth date	March 05, 1976
birth place	Providence, Rhode Island
bats	Right
throws	Right
debutdate	September 8
debutyear	1997
debutteam	Los Angeles Dodgers
statyear	April 30, 2012
stat1label	Batting average
stat1value	.283
stat2label	Home runs
stat2value	401
stat3label	Runs batted in
stat3value	1,276
stat4label	Hits
stat4value	2,055
teams	Los Angeles Dodgers (–) Cincinnati Reds () Chicago White Sox (–present)
awards	5× All-Star (, , , , ) AL Comeback Player of the Year (TSN) (2004) ALCS MVP (2005) World Series champion () Chicago White Sox captain (–present) }}

Paul Henry Konerko (; born March 5, 1976) is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball since 1999. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1997–98) and the Cincinnati Reds (1998). Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series, the franchise's first since 1917. Since 2006 he has served as team captain.

High school career

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Konerko is of Polish (paternal) and Italian (maternal) descent. At Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, Konerko was named the ''Arizona Republic''/''Phoenix Gazette'' Player of the Year as a senior, after leading his team to a Class 4-A state championship. Konerko hit .558 in 1994, the school season record until Ike Davis, who later became the first baseman for the New York Mets, hit .559 in 2003. Konerko also held the school season record in doubles, with 18, until Davis hit 23 doubles in 2003. He also held the school career record in doubles (44), until Davis passed him with 48 doubles.

Konerko was ranked the #1 catcher in the nation during his senior year in high school.

Career

Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds

On May 13, 1995 with the San Bernardino Spirit, he drove in the only run of a 21-inning game. It was the longest shutout in California League history. Konerko played for the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes. He played parts of the 1997 and 1998 seasons with the Dodgers. In a little more than 150 at bats, he hit just 4 home runs.

Konerko was traded, along with lefty pitcher Dennys Reyes, by the Dodgers to the Cincinnati Reds for All Star closer Jeff Shaw. Konerko played 26 games with the Reds.

Chicago White Sox

1999-2005: Early years to World Champion

On November 11, 1998, Konerko was traded by the Reds to the White Sox for Mike Cameron.

In 2000, with a 95–67 record, the White Sox made the playoffs for the first time since 1993. Konerko made his first postseason appearance that year, when the White Sox lost to the Seattle Mariners in the 2000 American League Division Series (ALDS). The Mariners swept the series in 3 games, and in 9 at bats, Konerko had no hits. He got on base once on a walk.

In 2005, the White Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). After going 0 for 4 in the first game and 1 for 4 in the second game, Konerko hit 3 for 4 with three RBI in the third game of the ALCS against the Angels. Two of the RBI came from a home run in the first inning. In Game 4, Konerko was 1 for 4 with three RBI on another first inning home run, the second in as many nights. In Game 5, Konerko went 1 for 5 with another RBI. He was named the ALCS MVP on the strength of a .268 batting average, two home runs and seven RBI. He said, "I think you could split this four ways," referring to his feeling that the MVP should be awarded to the four White Sox starting pitchers who pitched four consecutive complete games in the ALCS.

In Game 2 of the 2005 World Series, Konerko hit the first grand slam in White Sox World Series history to put the White Sox ahead 6–4. It was also the first grand slam in postseason history to give a team the lead when trailing in the seventh inning or later. Those were Konerko's only RBI of the World Series, but they were critical in giving the White Sox the momentum to complete a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros and they were the most for a White Sox hitter in the series. Konerko caught the final out for every one of the series-clinching games throughout the playoffs.

2006 to Present:Team Captain

Following the 2005 World Series victory, Konerko signed a five-year $60 million deal with the White Sox on November 30, 2005 after reportedly turning down more lucrative offers from the Los Angeles Angels and the Baltimore Orioles.

Konerko became the face of the White Sox franchise after the departure of Frank Thomas who was the face of the franchise during the 1990s. Konerko concluded the 2006 season with 35 home runs, helping him rank in the top 10 for total home runs over the past three seasons, after hitting over 40 home runs in 2004 and 2005. In 2010, he was second in the American League for home runs with 39.

On September 18, 2008, Konerko became the last opposing player to hit a home run at Yankee Stadium in the 9th inning of a 9–2 White Sox loss.

On Monday, April 13, 2009, Konerko connected back to back with Jermaine Dye for the 300th home run of both players' respective careers off of Detroit Tigers pitcher Zach Miner. This was the first time that this had ever happened in Major League history; where two players had hit a century milestone home run in one game, let alone back to back.

On July 7, 2009, Konerko was 3 for 4 with three home runs including seven RBIs in a 10–6 win against the Cleveland Indians. It was the first time in his big league career that he hit three home runs in a game. He is also the only White Sox player to accomplish that at U.S. Cellular Field.

On July 10, 2010, Konerko was announced to replace Twins first baseman Justin Morneau at the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. This was the fourth All-Star selection of his career. Near the end of the 2010 season, Konerko was hit in the face by Minnesota Twins pitcher Carl Pavano. This resulted in major controversy. White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle returned the favor in the next inning hitting Twins first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Both teams then received a warning from the head umpire and no further incidents occurred. During his very next at bat against Pavano, Konerko hit a solo home run on the first pitch.

Konerko finished the 2010 season with 39 home runs, his most since 2005 and the third-highest total of his career. Additionally, he was in fifth place in the year's MVP voting, the highest finish of his career to date.

On December 8, 2010, Konerko re-signed with the Chicago White Sox for 3 years worth $37.5 million.

On June 1, 2011, Konerko hit his 377th career home run in a game against the Boston Red Sox, passing former White Sox player Carlton Fisk on the White Sox all-time home run list. Konerko is now second on the club's home run list currently with 394 as a member of the White Sox, trailing only Frank Thomas' 448.

On June 10, 2011, Konerko hit a home run in a game against the Oakland Athletics, setting the franchise record for consecutive games with an extra base hit at 9 games. On June 20, 2011, Konerko hit his 385th career home run in a game against the Chicago Cubs, passing former White Sox player Harold Baines on the all-time home run list. On June 21, 2011, Konerko continued his hot June when he homered in a game against the Chicago Cubs and his 5th straight game, becoming the 5th player in White Sox history to hit a home run in 5 consecutive games. The other 4 are Greg Luzinski, Ron Kittle, Frank Thomas (twice), and Carlos Lee. Konerko made it onto his fifth All-Star team after winning the Final Vote contest for the American League.

On August 23, 2011, Konerko recorded his 2,000th hit in the top of the 8th inning to tie the game at 4 to 4 against the Angels.

Konerko finished the season with 30 home runs, 105 RBI's, and a .300 batting average, the 5th time in his career that he finished with 30 home runs and 100+ RBI's.

In October 2011, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams admitted that he briefly considered naming Konerko player-manager for Chicago after the departure of manager Ozzie Guillén. However, Williams never discussed the possibility with Konerko. Former White Sox player Robin Ventura was named manager for the upcoming 2012 season. There has not been a player-manager in Major League Baseball since Pete Rose served in the capacity for the Cincinnati Reds in 1986.

In November 2011, Konerko was inducted into the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame along with Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard.

On April 25, 2012, Konerko hit his 400th career home run, passing Al Kaline and Andrés Galarraga and becoming the 48th player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs. Konerko was named the American League Player of the Week for the week of April 23-29. He hit .435 with 3 HR and 4 RBI. He led the AL in slugging and total bases that week.

Personal

Paul married Jennifer Wells in 2004. They have two sons: Nicholas and Owen, and are expecting another daughter. His brother Peter is a photographer in Los Angeles and New York.

See also

List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters

References

External links

Paul Konerko: Behind the Dugout

}}

Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:American League All-Stars Category:American League Championship Series MVPs Category:American Roman Catholics Category:American people of Italian descent Category:American people of Polish descent Category:Baseball players from Arizona Category:Baseball players from Rhode Island Category:Chicago White Sox players Category:Cincinnati Reds players Category:Los Angeles Dodgers players Category:Major League Baseball first basemen Category:People from Scottsdale, Arizona Category:People from Providence, Rhode Island Category:Yakima Bears players Category:San Bernardino Spirit players Category:Albuquerque Dukes players Category:Indianapolis Indians players Category:Charlotte Knights players

fr:Paul Konerko it:Paul Konerko ja:ポール・コネルコ pt:Paul Konerko

Name	Jeff Samardzija
Position	Pitcher
Team	Chicago Cubs
Number	29
Bats	Right
Throws	Right
Birth date	January 23, 1985
Birth place	Merrillville, Indiana
Debutdate	July 25
Debutyear	2008
Debutteam	Chicago Cubs
Statyear	April 24, 2012
Stat1label	Win-Loss
Stat1value	14-10
Stat2label	Earned run average
Stat2value	4.37
Stat3label	Strikeouts
Stat3value	167
Teams	Chicago Cubs (-present) }}

Jeffrey Alan Samardzija (Serbian surname form: Самарџија, ''Samardžija''; common pronunciation: "sah-MAHR-jee-yah") (born January 23, 1985) is an American baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Prior to signing with the Cubs, he played college baseball and football at the University of Notre Dame.

Early years

Jeff's father, Sam Samardzija, was a semi-professional hockey player, and his older brother, Sam Samardzija Jr., was an All State football and baseball player who attended Indiana University and is now a sports agent of Major League Baseball. When Samardzija was in high school his mother, Debora Samardzija, died of a fatal respiratory disease.

Samardzija grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he attended Valparaiso High School, and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. In football, he was a three-time first team All-State honoree, and was twice named the team's Most Valuable Player. After his senior year, he was invited to participate in the Indiana football All-Star game. In baseball, he was a first team All-State honoree. He graduated from Valparaiso High School in 2003.

College years

Samardzija made his first impact at Notre Dame as a right-handed pitcher for the baseball team, finishing second in the Big East Conference in both ERA (2.95) and opponents' batting average (.209), and being named a Freshman All-American by ''Collegiate Baseball Magazine.'' He continued to play baseball at Notre Dame until he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 5th round (149th overall) of the Major League Baseball Draft.

In football, he was a reserve for his first two seasons, catching a total of 24 passes. He first started at the 2005 Insight Bowl at the end of his sophomore season. He emerged as a star in the 2005 season, ending the regular season with 77 catches, 15 of them for touchdowns, for 1215 yards and making numerous All-America Teams.

He set single-season school records in both receiving yardage and touchdown receptions. Samardzija caught a TD pass in each of Notre Dame's first eight games in 2006, giving him the school record for consecutive games with a TD reception. Samardzija made 78 catches for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games in the 2006 season to finish as the all-time Fighting Irish leader in reception yards with 2,593. He made the Football Writers Association of America All-America Team following the 2006 season.

Samardzija was selected as one of the three finalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, for the nation's top wide receiver in both 2005 & 2006. Although initially planning on him trying to play both in the NFL and MLB, Samardzija announced after being selected in the Major League Draft that he would take his name out of the NFL Draft and play baseball.

Professional career

On January 19, 2007, Samardzija announced he would forgo the National Football League Draft and commit to a baseball career. Samardzija signed a five-year deal to play baseball with the Chicago Cubs. The deal has a no-trade clause and a club option for a sixth and seventh year. If the club option is exercised, the total value of the deal would be $16.5 million.

On June 23, , Samardzija was promoted to Triple-A Iowa after posting a 3-5 record in Tennessee with a 4.86 ERA. In his career in Triple-A Iowa, he has posted a 4-1 record and a 3.13 ERA, with 40 strikeouts and 16 walks.

On July 25, 2008, Samardzija was called up to join the bullpen of the Chicago Cubs to replace Kerry Wood, who was placed on the DL. He made his MLB debut the same day against the Florida Marlins, striking out the first batter he faced in the 7th inning. Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Piniella was impressed with Samardzija's major league debut, saying he may never see the minors again. On July 27, 2008, Samardzija recorded his first career major league save against the Florida Marlins.

In 2009, Samardzija was optioned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs after failing to make the team out of spring training. However, he was quickly called back up only a few games into the season. He quickly returned to Des Moines to pitch for the Iowa Cubs, after posting a 8.10 E.R.A. in 5 appearances. He made his first major league start on August 12 against Pedro Martinez of the Philadelphia Phillies, a 12-5 loss.

In March 2010 Samardzija returned to the Cubs and pitched his first game in exhibition on March 13, 2010. He pitched in four regular season games in April and compiled an 18.90 ERA before being sent back down to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in order to make space for Ted Lilly on the Cubs roster.

In 2011, Samardzija made the opening day roster as a reliever. During the 2011 season Samardzija, statistically had his best season posting an 8-4 record and an ERA of 2.97

Pitching style

Samardzija throws a 2-seam fastball, 4-seam fastball, splitter, mixed in with a slider and a changeup. Samardzija's fastball is clocked between 96 mph-99 mph and his changeup resides in the mid 80s and his slider is around the low 80s.

Personal

Samardzija is part Serbian and Native American. Several of Samardzija's Notre Dame baseball teammates affectionately nicknamed him "Shark" early during his career at Notre Dame. Samardzija and former teammate Mark DeRosa, a former University of Pennsylvania quarterback, often used to play catch before games.

References

External links

Official Website

College Football Profile

College Baseball Profile

Jeff Samardzija Minor League Baseball Pitching Statistics

Jeff Samardzija Turns his Back on the NFL

Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:All-American college football players Category:American football wide receivers Category:American people of Serbian descent Category:Baseball players from Indiana Category:Chicago Cubs players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball players Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players Category:People from Valparaiso, Indiana Category:Sportspeople of multiple sports Category:Peoria Chiefs players Category:Boise Hawks players Category:Tennessee Smokies players Category:Daytona Cubs players Category:Iowa Cubs players Category:Merrillville, Indiana

es:Jeff Samardzija fr:Jeff Samardzija pt:Jeff Samardzija tl:Jeff Samardzija