The 2008 season was Paul Konerko’s ninth season with at least 20 home runs, the second-most in club history. During Game 2 of the 2005 World Series, Konerko hit the first grand slam in White Sox World Series history, which gave the White Sox a 6-4 lead and the momentum needed to defeat the Houston Astros for the Championship. Konerko also won the 2005 American League Championship Series MVP, the 2004 American League Comeback Player of the Year, and a three time All-Star selection in 2002, 2005, and 2006.

Although Konerko sat out for most of the 2008 season with an injury, he ended the season with 22 home runs, 62 RBI, and a .240 batting average. The first base captain will be a key player in the 2009 season.

 

Chicago White Sox Jim Thome is considered to be one of the most feared power hitters in baseball. In 2008, he hit 34 home runs and had 90 RBI, which helped him to reach the 30-home run plateau for the 12th time in his career. Thus, joining Barry Bonds, Harmon Killebrew, Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott, Babe Ruth, Mike Schmidt, Frank Thomas, and Ted Williams, Thome is one of nine players in the history of baseball to attain 500 home runs, 1,500 walks, and 2,000 hits. On September 30, 2008, Thome hit the 541st home run of his career, a solo shot in the American League Central tiebreaker game to beat the Minnesota Twins.

Thome is a National co-chair of the Home Run Challenge, and has been named Player of the Month three times: July 2001, September 2003, and June 2004. He is one of only six players to be named Player of the Month in each league.