Paul Konerko (USATSI)
Paul Konerko's prolific career will come to an end Sunday. (Getty Images)

The White Sox are staging Paul Konerko Day on Saturday, as one of the franchise's all-time great players heads off into retirement after this weekend. And though Konerko has been overshadowed by someone who shall remain nameless in this article, he deserves a nice sendoff as well.

Konerko has even gotten a bit of a farewell tour of his own, including parting gifts from the Twins (photo via USATSI):

And the Tigers, too, among others (photo via USATSI):

The 38-year-old Konerko heads off into retirement with six trips to the All-Star Game, five seasons in which he gathered MVP votes -- finishing fifth in 2010 and sixth in 2005 -- and a World Series ring.

Konerko sports a career line of .279/.354/.487 (118 OPS+) with 2340 hits, 410 doubles, 439 homers, 1412 RBI and 1162 runs. He's 79th in career total bases, 42nd in doubles and 71st in RBI.

A quick glance at baseball-reference.com's top 10 career statistical similar players to Konerko shows three Hall of Famers (Orlando Cepeda, Willie Stargell and Jim Rice) along with fellow "Hall of the Very Good" types in Andres Galarraga, Jason Giambi, Carlos Delgado, Andruw Jones and Fred McGriff. There's also David Ortiz, who may end up in the Hall of Fame. (And, really, McGriff and Jones still have an outside shot at going to the actual Hall, though I'd bet against it).

Basically, in the scope of Konerko's career, he does fall short of the Hall of Fame, but not by a large margin. He's on the next echelon for sure, and will be long remembered as a very good baseball player -- and a great power hitter for a long time.

In White Sox history, Konerko's all over the record books. Only Hall of Famer Luke Appling played more games with the South Siders. Konerko ranks second in both homers and RBI to Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, but is first in total bases. He's also third in hits, fourth in runs, third in doubles, fourth in walks, fifth in stolen bases (KIDDING!), second in extra-base hits, third in times on base and second in sac flies.

I joke about Konerko's lack of speed because I know first-hand he's OK with it. Allow me a quick personal anecdote to illustrate.

At All-Star media day in 2012 (in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium -- yes, media day was held in the football venue, not Kauffman Stadium), I was asking players about possible skills competitions for All-Star Monday instead of just the Home Run Derby. I mentioned something measuring speed and Adam Dunn says, "well, I know who [the winner] would not be. Konerko." Dunn then points directly to Konerko. Konerko looks over and Dunn simply says, "I just said you're the slowest person here." Konerko laughed and it wasn't one those "oh, I'm being fake, but just wait until later" looks. He was legitimately nonchalant about it. He really couldn't have cared less because he was comfortable in his own skin with his shortcomings.

And that's "Paulie." This is a common theme among teammates, and Konerko never worries about it. Just Friday, the following quote was posted on whitesox.com:

"Every single hit went to the outfield," said Konerko's friend and former teammate Brian Anderson, with a jab at Konerko's lack of speed. "The last time P.K. got an infield hit was 2000 and never."

It's the type of thing that takes on a life of its own at some point, and it did. No, it has. Ask nearly any former or present Konerko teammate, and he'll sing the praises of Konerko's professionalism while also telling you how much he loves him ... and then, at the very end, said teammate will throw in a crack about "Paulie" being slow.

Along these lines, it's funny to mention that Konerko went seven full seasons without a triple, but then -- in his early-to-mid 30s -- he had exactly one triple each in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He even managed a career-high two stolen bases in two attempts in 2008. So that was his late-career prime for speed, evidently. Dunn, Anderson and scores of other past and present teammates should be proud.

On a serious note, Konerko's career is all about the power. He had seven 30-homer seasons and six 100-RBI seasons as well.

You want a defining moment? It could be argued no player in White Sox history has as great a defining moment as Konerko. Roll the footage!

Just look at the background shots of the crowd. Madhouse. And for good reason.

If not for that grand slam, the White Sox could well have lost that game. It was 4-2 Astros in the seventh, after all, and there's no way to prove that the White Sox go on to win Games 3 and 4 if they lose Game 2. That was the series-defining play, in my mind. And that series was the White Sox first World Series victory since 1917, erasing the so-called curse of the Black Sox scandal. Konerko was the ALCS MVP that season, too. He was the backbone of the offense and could have been considered a leader of the championship team.

There were, of course, so many other moments. Perhaps one of the best, because it shows the blue-collar, workmanlike toughness of Konerko, is this one:

Yes, Konerko was hit in the face with a pitch and stayed in the game. He didn't throw a temper tantrum or try to go start a fight to prove his manhood. He actually did prove his "manhood" by instantly putting his helmet back on and insisting that he keep doing his job. That's how you prove real, actual toughness, not with some faux-macho posturing.

Speaking of which, let's play a game.

Quick: Name a Paul Konerko controversy or scandal.

I'll wait.

Still waiting ...

Still waiting ...

Yeah, we'll just move on.

Konerko has, however, done numerous charitable ventures in the Chicago area throughout his White Sox career. Earlier this season, the White Sox honored Konerko with a bobblehead and proceeds benefited Children's Home and Aid Bring Me Home Campaign, which was started in 2006 by Konerko and Jim Thome. The following quote was offered up in a press release by the White Sox:

"Paul has been a tremendous supporter of White Sox Charities throughout his career with the White Sox," said Christine O'Reilly, executive director of Chicago White Sox Charities. "We are thankful for his efforts both on and off the field, and this commemorative bobblehead will allow fans to show their support for Paul, while also giving back to a great cause."

All of the above has contributed to Konerko being wildly popular among White Sox fans, but they aren't alone. He's theirs, but almost every baseball fan respects his work. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give Konerko is this: As a lifelong Cubs fan, there are very few players from his generation I respect and admire as much as I do Konerko.

Congrats on an excellent career, Paulie. You'll be missed by true baseball fans everywhere. Yes, especially in Chicago -- specifically on the South Side -- but everyone has an appreciation for what you've done. Enjoy a well-earned retirement.