CHICAGO -- A.J. Pierzynski crouched behind home plate in full catcher’s gear, put down the sign, and Mark Buehrle induced a swing and miss with his ensuing offering to the opposing hitter.

The packed house at Rate Field, checking in at somewhere around 40,000 people, had been filled with frenzied excitement long before the game began. But the presence of No. 12 (Pierzynski) and No. 56 (Buehrle) added an extra layer of jubilation from the moment they were introduced.

No, this is not a 2008 White Sox replay on the way to the postseason. Instead, it was part of Friday’s game with the Savannah Bananas, as Pierzynski and Buehrle donned the bright yellow uniforms to briefly leave the friendly confines of retirement.

Their appearance took place about 90 minutes after the indomitable Prince

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