MLB.com

Although much of the baseball world is caught up in the Derek Jeter farewell tour, Chicago White Sox star Paul Konerko is also getting ready to step away from the game after 18 years.

Konerko has one simple message to White Sox fans: Thanks for the memories.

Konerko was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and made his MLB debut with the club in 1997. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds during the 1998 season before being shipped to the White Sox after the season ended. That's when the first baseman finally settled in with a team.

The 38-year-old has spent the past 16 seasons in the Windy City. He was a six-time American League All-Star and helped the White Sox win the World Series in 2005.

Through the good times and the bad, White Sox fans have always been behind Konerko. For that, he is grateful.

[MLB.com]