The Savannah Bananas stop in Chicago brought former White Sox champions back to the field and created a reunion for fans. Mark Buehrle and A.J. Pierzynski appeared Friday, with Buehrle pitching briefly and Pierzynski catching and calling the night "awesome for baseball." Ozzie Guillén returned Saturday to coach first base, joking with an umpire and reenacting his trademark sideline fire. Paul Konerko received a thunderous ovation in a brief plate appearance that ended in a routine groundout. The weekend balanced the Bananas' circus-like entertainment with moments of tribute to the White Sox players who shaped lasting memories in Chicago.
Friday night featured 2005 World Series heroes Mark Buehrle and A.J. Pierzynski, with Buehrle even taking the mound once again on the South Side. The 46-year-old lefty, who admitted he mostly plays softball these days, gave up a hit before settling in for an out that had the crowd on its feet. Pierzynski, his catcher during the White Sox championship run, was back behind the plate, laughing that yellow wasn't exactly his color but calling the entire night "awesome for baseball."
On Saturday night, Ozzie Guillén, the fiery shortstop-turned-manager who guided the White Sox to their first championship in 88 years, returned to the field. Guillén, known for his history of run-ins with umpires, walked out to coach first base and couldn't resist playing up the moment. He jawed at the umpire in jest, reenacting his trademark sideline fire, while fans roared in appreciation.
His appearance was brief - a routine groundout ended his at-bat - but the standing ovation he received leaving the field was just as loud as the one that greeted him. The Bananas may have packed the stadium with their circus-like brand of baseball, but for many fans, the weekend was just as much about honoring the White Sox legends who built unforgettable memories in Chicago.
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