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,

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.