Insight

Most athletes avoid reporters or talk in clichés, either of which will protect them from unintended revelations a la Adrian Peterson.  Actual insight is rare and noteworthy, as Paul Konerko showed after playing in his final game Sunday.

Konerko took a farewell lap around the field, with stops to wave or shake hands.  At some point, the intensity of emotion coming from the fans struck Konerko.  “I saw people crying out there.  That’s crazy, just because I play a game.  But I get it.  It’s something you do for closure for them as well.”

A player can be generous with his time or not, stop to talk to fans or just run to his car.  “It’s something they don’t teach you in the minor leagues, about this kind of stuff.”  No, a first baseman coming in from the field sees an eight-year old girl sitting behind the dugout and tosses her a ball.  Then he signs it in the offseason.  And she remembers forever.