While Derek Jeter’s final games got most of the publicity in the last week of the regular season, another longtime veteran with impressive career numbers and a World Series title also took his final swings: White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko.

The 18-year veteran had a better career OPS than Jeter, and bested the Yankee legend in career home runs and RBI despite having more than 3,000 fewer plate appearances. Konerko also was a six-time All-Star, the MVP of the 2005 ALCS and had the best batting average during his team’s 2005 World Series. With all those accomplishments in mind, MLB did not overlook Konerko and honored him with a $20 Amazon gift card.

“It’s nice to be remembered,” said Konerko. “I honestly didn’t expect anything at all. But then I got an e-mail this morning from Amazon and it said baseball had ordered a gift card for me. Apparently every team chipped in, so that’s pretty cool.”

In addition to the $20 gift card, Konerko gets a one-month free trial of Amazon Prime.

“I’ve heard that’s pretty good if you shop online a lot,” said Konerko. “I don’t, so we’ll see. But maybe it’s something I can start doing now that I’m retired.”

Konerko acknowledges that baseball didn’t quite commemorate his final season to the degree it did Jeter’s.

“Everyone talked about how Jeter did things the right way and never sought the spotlight. I mean, I thought that’s what I did, too, including, you know, not going on a six-month nationwide farewell tour,” said the slugger. “But, whatever. I knew the consequences when I chose to play here and not sign with the Yankees or Red Sox. I knew my career would be one of irrelevance.”

Konerko said that when his gift card arrives, he plans to use it to order a RE2PECT t-shirt.

“Twenty bucks won’t cover it, but I’d gladly pay out of my own pocket to honor his brand,” he said. “It was an amazing brand.”

http://www.sportspickle.com/2014/09/mlb-honors-paul-konerkos-career-mailing-20-amazon-gift-card