Fans, 38,000-plus strong, chanted his name in unison.
"In case you weren't aware, we don't draw 40,000 people every day," he said.
Mark Buehrle had a ball Saturday, when the White Sox celebrated "Mark Buehrle Day" and retired his No. 56 during a pregame ceremony at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The left-hander also received the ball he flipped between his legs on opening day 2010 against the Indians to retire Lou Marson in maybe the four-time Gold Glove winner's most memorable fielding play.
Sox fan Tommy Maloney presented Buehrle with the ball as former teammates such as Frank Thomas and Buehrle's friends and family looked on from the infield.