Thanks for the Memories Paulie

Image via http://www.ronvesely.com/gallery/the-postseason/

For the first time in who knows how many years, I didn’t make it to a White Sox game this summer.

I don’t what it was. I got busy. The team was always away when I could go or I was always away when it was home.

All I know is I wish I was able to make it to a game. Because for all my years as a fan, a constant would playing in his final season: Paul Konerko.

I don’t remember my first Sox game, I just remember the countless ones in between. Born and raised on the South Side, the Sox were always the right team to root for. And the games were always summer highlights with my dad.

Sometimes going was planned in advance, other times it was a spur of the moment. It was always fun.

I remember shivering on one cold April opening day. I remember burning up and running to the sprinklers at the field some August afternoon. Sitting up in the nosebleeds, watching fireworks after games and getting a hot dog were always rituals with my dad.

No matter what the score was, life was easy at the ballpark.

That 2005 team is the roster I grew up with. From Scotty Pods to A.J. to Buehrle to Crede to the Big Hurt to Jenks, it was hard letting go of these players as they each moved on from Chicago.

Yet, Konerko stayed. He was there from some of my first games and earned status as a Sox legend while I grew up.

Those memories of the White Sox finally wining a World Series are some I’ll carry with me forever. The’re hard to forget.

Though I’m no doubt one of the hundreds of people to write this, I’m going to anyway.

The South Side will always love you Paulie. Thanks for the memories.