TUCSON, Ariz. -- Paul Konerko would like the questions about his relationship with Chicago White Sox teammate Frank Thomas to go away.

But there he was again Sunday, talking about whether the two could coexist in the wake of Konerko's public criticism of the Big Hurt for skipping a pregame stretching drill last July as a protest for being benched.

"I never imagined that I would be answering questions about this coming into the spring,'' Konerko said. "I thought it was done.''

It seemed to be, until Thomas rehashed the subject Saturday, using phrases like "professional jealousy'' and insisting that Konerko had no clue of what was going on.

But Konerko said he and Thomas were ready to forget about the controversy after the two had a talk during a team workout early Sunday.

"I don't even remember who initiated it,'' Konerko said. "It wasn't like it was some debate or formal talk. It was like two guys shooting the breeze.

"We both said, 'Let's get past this and start playing ball.'''

Asked if Thomas' rant on Saturday camp could set a negative tone for the start of the season, Konerko didn't seem very concerned about any lingering impact on team chemistry.

"He's a good person,'' Konerko said of Thomas. "A good person can do things like that. I've done things like that and I'm a good person. That's part of his personality. That's what makes him great; he's driven.''

Konerko also implored reporters to drop the topic.

"I'm not a good enough player to be focusing on this,'' he said. "I've got to focus on the field. For everyone's good, can this be it -- please?''