Chicago Sports: Creating a modern-day Mount Rushmore

Others receiving votes

Paul Konerko: 3 votes
Kris Bryant: 2 votes
Sammy Sosa: 1 vote
Mark Buehrle: 1 vote
Anthony Rizzo: 1 vote
Joakim Noah: 1 vote
Jon Lester: 1 vote

Personally, I voted for Paul Konerko and I am surprised that he did not make the cut. Through 16 years with the Chicago White Sox, Konerko hit an impressive .281/.356/.491. He was also arguably the best player on their 2005 World Series championship team.

Konerko was one of the most consistent players in Major League Baseball in the early 2000s and was a legitimate force at the plate through the 2012 season. The four guys who were selected are undoubtedly deserving, but Konerko should get the nod in my opinion. However, I am only one voter.

Reigning National League MVP Kris Bryant made some noise, coming in with two votes. We are extremely early in Bryant’s career, but he is undoubtedly becoming a Chicago Cubs legend. Here is what Brandon Hinrichs had to say about voting for Bryant:

"Winning an MVP Award in just his second season as a Chicago Cub is impressive. Winning the 2016 World Series on top of that is icing on the cake. Without Bryant, the Chicago Cubs fan base would probably still be singing carols along the lines of…”Wait til next year”."

Mark Buehrle, Sammy Sosa, Antony Rizzo, Jon Lester and Joakim Noah all came in with a single vote a piece. Buehrle, in particular, seems like he should have gotten a bit more love. However, Matt Squires’ reasoning for selecting Sosa almost got me to adjust my picks.

"Sosa played with the Chicago Cubs from 1992 to 2004. His stats from 2000 to 2004? .295/.390/.612. 238 homers and 589 RBI. Sosa led the league in homers twice, RBI once, total bases once and was an All-Star every year but 2003. I would love to see Slammin’ Sammy’s home run hop one more time."

Wouldn’t we all, Matt. Wouldn’t we all.