Konerko Discovers Big Relief With Reds

When Paul Konerko’s name was announced, he received a loud cheer from the fans in Dodger Stadium.

Not bad for the Reds’ starting third baseman.

“It’s been kind of funny [returning to Los Angeles], because it’s been so quick since [his trade to Cincinnati] happened,” Konerko said. “It’s kind of funny because not much has changed since I left.”

Monday’s game between the Dodgers and Cincinnati was the first time Konerko, 22, has returned to Los Angeles since his July 4 trade to the Reds with rookie pitcher Dennis Reyes for closer Jeff Shaw.

The reason was clear: the Dodger bullpen was having trouble saving games. A reliable closer was needed.

General Manager Tommy Lasorda found one in Cincinnati.

“That’s the reason why we made the trade,” Lasorda said. “We hated to give up two players the caliber of Konerko and Reyes. But when you want something, and you want it as good as Shaw is--he’s at the top of the list--and when you have to get a guy that caliber, you gotta give up something to get something.”

Unfortunately for the Reds, Konerko is batting .171 with four RBIs and is hitless in his last 13 at bats since the break, including two at-bats Monday during Cincinnati’s 2-0 loss.

Although his numbers have slumped since his arrival, Red Manager Jack McKeon is not as concerned with the now as he is with the later.

“[Konerko] has an opportunity over here with [Cincinnati] where he is going to play a lot more than he was with the Dodgers,” McKeon said. “We just have to be patient with him, and let things work out.

“We think he’s going to be a pretty good power hitter in time, maybe not now, but in time he’s going to be all right. We’re going to struggle through his tough time with him and hopefully, with half a year experience or another year, he puts it all together and he turns into the guy we’re hoping he’s going to be.”

That is the kind of attitude Konerko has come to appreciate in his new surroundings. As a rookie, all he wants is a chance to play.

“Obviously, I didn’t have much choice in the [trade] anyway, but I really just think this is a perfect fit. I’m at a place where I get to play. No matter what level of baseball you’re at--whether it be little league or high school--you know, it’s a lot more fun when you get to play.”

Konerko says he has no hard feelings, and he has nothing to prove to his old team.

“The trade didn’t happen because I they thought that I couldn’t play, or they didn’t like me,” Konerko said. “It was just a situation where you had to give something to get something back. And obviously they got something really good in return. They got a top-notch closer in Jeff Shaw. And that doesn’t come cheaply, and hopefully they gave up a lot for him.”

Konerko said he feels the trade made the Dodgers a better team, because he wasn’t helping them. But things have worked out for the best, he said, and only time will tell how good of a trade this was for both the Dodgers and the Reds.