Fans seem to believe the Chicago White Sox have found their next ace pitcher.
The White Sox had a special guest (sort of) throw the first pitch for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill. In celebration of World Ocean Day, Pepe the penguin waddled toward the mound alongside Dr. Mike Adkesson, president and CEO of the Brookfield Zoo.
Pepe stood tall on the mound as Adkesson threw a pretty decent first pitch on his behalf. Check out the adorable moment below.
Pepe and Dr. Mike nailed that first pitch 👏🐧 https://t.co/OlEidaTNYB pic.twitter.com/vWyqzeAjQa
— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) June 8, 2025
The clip got a ton of fanfare on social media. Some of it was due to fans claiming the White Sox should sign Pepe and how the cuddly creature would be a major pitching staff upgrade.
Major upgrade for the White Sox pitching staff!
— Ryan Fazio (@ryanfazio) June 9, 2025
Probably better than the entire team!
— Sam Lawson (@unclesamlawson) June 9, 2025
Others took things a bit further, debating on what role Pepe would serve for the White Sox. One fan claimed the penguin should be atop the team’s starting rotation, while others envisioned him as a closer or set-up man.
Pepe would be their #1 in the rotation
— TheWhiteDahlia (@TheWhiteDahlia_) June 8, 2025
Let him close
— grifdog95y (@grifdog95y) June 8, 2025
White Sox should sign him up probably would be there second best reliever.
— Nick boeing (@NBoeing1225) June 8, 2025
Based on how Sunday’s game unfolded, the White Sox may need to use Pepe as a relief pitcher. Chicago’s bullpen gave up five earned runs over the last three innings in a 7-5 loss to Kansas City.
Whether Pepe eventually gets called up by the White Sox remains to be seen. But he definitely has a better chance than Taylor Lewan, who had an embarrassing first pitch just days prior.
