Pierzynski Gifts Pope White Sox Baseball

Chicago White Sox Today | 2 Minute News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 26, 2026 · 1m

A.J. Pierzynski, former White Sox catcher and lifelong Catholic, gifted Pope Francis a 2005 World Series baseball — the very ball from the final out of Game One — during a deeply personal Vatican meeting. The Pope, a lifelong Sox fan who was actually in the stands during that historic game, was overjoyed. Pierzynski, who kept the ball for nearly two decades waiting for the perfect moment, called it the most special day of his life. He even asked his mother for an altar boy photo, which she sent him the morning of — and he asked the Pope to pray for her. It’s a touching, full-circle moment…