White Sox Legend Calls Savannah Bananas Ovation Career-Best

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Aug 17, 2025 4:20 PM ET

The Savannah Bananas Chicago stop turned into more than a spectacle of trick plays, yellow uniforms, and nonstop entertainment — it became a reunion of White Sox royalty.

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.”

But the legends didn’t stop there. 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.

“Thank you to Chicago fans… Best standing ovation ever.”@OzzieGuillen made an appearance with @TheSavBananas last night @ChuckGarfien | #SoxCountdownLive pic.twitter.com/1mdfVcUyC9
— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) August 17, 2025

He jawed at the umpire in jest, reenacting his trademark sideline fire, while fans roared in appreciation.

Then came Paul Konerko, the longtime captain of the White Sox and six-time All-Star. Konerko, whose No. 14 hangs retired at Guaranteed Rate Field, received a thunderous ovation as he stepped to the plate.

FOUR White Sox legends joined the Savannah Bananas in front of 80,000 fans in Chicago pic.twitter.com/0LdBayCfHf
— Banana Ball (@BananaBall_) August 17, 2025

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.

Whether it was Buehrle battling on the mound, Pierzynski throwing back to his World Series days, Guillén getting a laugh out of the umpires, or Konerko’s simple wave to the crowd, it was clear that Bananas baseball gave Sox fans something they’ve long been waiting for: a chance to celebrate their heroes again.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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