Chicago got a baseball show unlike anything it had ever seen Friday night, when the Savannah Bananas brought their traveling game of “Banana Ball” to Guaranteed Rate Field.
The sold-out crowd didn’t just get the usual mix of trick plays, choreographed dances, and fan participation—they also witnessed the return of two of the South Side’s most beloved stars: A.J. Pierzynski and Mark Buehrle.
When Pierzynski stepped onto the field, the crowd erupted in a roar. The former catcher dug in at the plate, taking a swing that sent a routine ground ball to the Firefighters infield.
AJ Pierzynski, a Savannah Banana pic.twitter.com/1nFKm9EWFu
— Josh Nelson - Sox Machine (@soxmachine_josh) August 16, 2025
What looked like it might be the end of his cameo quickly turned into just the beginning. The next inning, Pierzynski trotted back out—this time in full catching gear, crouching behind the plate for the Bananas. Fans cheered as if it were 2005 all over again.
The surprises didn’t stop there. Moments later, the Bananas introduced the second White Sox legend of the night: Mark Buehrle. The left-hander, known for his poise and pace, took the mound in a Banana Ball uniform.
Mark Buehrle has entered the game for the Savannah Bananas
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) August 16, 2025
He’s throwing to A.J. Pierzynski
pic.twitter.com/uKezw7ms2T
But what made the moment unforgettable was who stood behind the plate—his former teammate. For one inning under the bright Chicago lights, Buehrle and Pierzynski reunited, giving fans a rare chance to see the duo share the diamond once again.
The Savannah Bananas built their reputation on bringing joy, chaos, and creativity to the game, but Friday night added an extra layer of magic.
For Sox fans, it wasn’t just about the spectacle of Banana Ball. It was about seeing two World Series champions back together, creating a moment that blended baseball nostalgia with the Bananas’ brand of pure fun.
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