CHICAGO - Paul Konerko wasnt quite sure what to expect when the Chicago White Sox honoured him. [url=http://www.thebravesteamshop.com/Braves-Greg-Maddux-Kids-Jersey/]Gr eg Maddux Jersey[/url] .He got more than he bargained for on his way to retirement.The White Sox unveiled a bronze statue and announc

CHICAGO - Paul Konerko wasnt quite sure what to expect when the Chicago White Sox honoured him. Greg Maddux Jersey .He got more than he bargained for on his way to retirement.The White Sox unveiled a bronze statue and announced his No. 14 will be retired next season on Saturday.They also presented him his grand slam ball from the 2005 World Series and paid tribute through a series of videos that included well wishes from current and former teammates, the Bulls Derrick Rose, the Blackhawks Jonathan Toews, retiring Yankees star Derek Jeter and Metallicas James Hetfield in a ceremony before Saturdays game against the Kansas City Royals.I guess its too late to ask for a day off. Ill try to get through it the best way I can, a composed and touched Konerko told the crowd.Konerko got through the 35-minute presentation just fine. Then, he had a game to play.He went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts against Kansas City on Saturday, then was replaced prior to the top of the seventh by Andy Wilkins. Konerko took his spot at first base before being called back to the dugout and walked off to a standing ovation. He was summoned out for a curtain call.He is expected to be in the lineup on Sunday, then call it a career after 16 seasons in Chicago and 18 in the majors.A six-time American League All-Star, Konerko ranks second on the White Soxs list in homers, RBIs and games played. So its hardly a surprise he got saluted on his way out.And what a ceremony it was.Near the end, chairman Jerry Reinsdorf pointed toward the left-field concourse. Dozens of black and white balloons were set loose, revealing a bronze statue of Konerko waving his right fist, just as he did when he hit a grand slam against Houston in the 2005 World Series.Moments later, team broadcaster and emcee Ken Harrelson announced Konerkos number will be retired in 2015.The sold out crowd started chanting Paulie! Paulie! the moment family, friends and former teammates took their seats in the infield, and the roars continued throughout the ceremony.Along with the cheers and chants and video tributes, there were some impressive gifts.Among them were a painting, a frame with baseballs and the No. 14, and a 1963 Fender Stratocaster, fitting for a player who keeps a guitar by his locker.But one of the most unique gifts came right before the White Sox unveiled the statue.A video showing Konerko presenting Reinsdorf the ball from the final out of the 2005 World Series at the championship rally a€” a moment the chairman said at the time was the most emotional of his life a€” had just finished.Reinsdorf told Konerko he probably deserved it more but wasnt about to give it back. Instead, he had something else for his slugger.Out walked Chris Claeys, a film editor from Chicago. He caught Konerkos dramatic grand slam off Houstons Chad Qualls in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series, and on Saturday, he gave him the ball.It had been on display at Harry Carays Restaurant in Chicago for nine years, but when the White Sox contacted him a few weeks ago, he knew what he had to do. There was no money exchanged, Claeys said. He just got to sit in a suite with family and friends and received an autographed picture from Konerko, who thanked him from presenting the ball.I feel really good about it, Claeys said. Its really been a prized possession. Paul Konerko is such a cool guy. Hes so respectable and hes played here 16 years.Moments later, he became the ninth member of the organization honoured with a statue, including one shared by Nellie Fox and Luis Aparicio sharing one and another of Charles Comiskey. He will also be the 10th White Sox player to have his uniform number retired.After the ceremony ended, Konerkos three young children (Nicholas, Owen and Amelia) threw out first pitches. Then, it was time for their dad to play ball for one of the final times.Before that, it was time for current and past teammates to reminisce.Former White Sox player Greg Norton told this story.He had a personal trainer and we had a conditioning drill in spring training, and I think we had a 480-yard shuttle, Norton said. He came back talking all this trash that he was in great shape and that he was gonna beat me. ... Everybody went through the conditioning drill. They waited for the two of us. I absolutely destroyed him in the shuttle race, and to this day, he says he slipped and thats the only reason I beat him.Third baseman Conor Gillaspie mentioned the impact Konerko had on him.What he did on the field, everybody already knows, he said. 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Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist as the Kings stretched their streak to seven wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.STOKE, England -- Stoke added another notch to an impressive list of upset results this season as it beat Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday to seriously hurt the Gunners bid for the Premier League title. Jonathan Walters penalty 14 minutes from time after Laurent Koscielny was penalized for handball was enough to give Stoke all three points. Mark Hughes team has beaten Chelsea and Manchester United at home this season, as well as drawing with Manchester City. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had not won in his previous seven visits to Stokes Brittania Stadium. Arsenal slipped four points behind league leader Chelsea, which won 3-1 at Fulham. It is two above Manchester City, which has two games in hand. Stoke moved level with 11th-placed Hull after what was only its second win in 11 league games. Arsenal made just the one change to the starting line-up from last Saturdays 4-1 win against Sunderland, with the fit-again Kieran Gibbs replacing the injured Nacho Monreal in defence. Record signing Mesut Ozil was on the bench after missing that match due to injury. Stoke also made just one change from its 1-0 loss at Manchester City, with Steven Nzonzi replacing the injuredd Peter Odemwingie. Phil Niekro Jersey. . Walters had the first chance of the game when he headed Marko Arnautovics header narrowly wide as both sides struggled to carve out opportunities. There was a flurry of chances at the end of the first half and Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had to react quickly to parry a swerving drive from Glenn Whelan. At the other end, Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic , who had earlier comfortably gathered a weak header from Olivier Giroud, was called into action to save Santi Cazorlas fierce effort from the edge of the area. Stoke almost took the lead at the start of the second half as Szczesny made a hash of dealing with Geoff Camerons cross, leading to a goalmouth scramble that Arsenal survived Peter Crouch also sent an acrobatic attempt wide as well as forcing a diving save from Szczesny, as Stoke continued to press. Stokes efforts were eventually rewarded as Walters flick struck Koscielnys arm and the Republic of Ireland striker made no mistake from the spot. Mesut Ozil flashed a shot across Begovics goal and fellow Arsenal substitute Yaya Sanogo then struck over the bar but Arsenal couldnt find the equalizer. 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