CHICAGO -- Jim Thome has watched the movie, Field of Dreams, “many, many times,” as he said during an interview with MLB.com prior to Saturday’s contest with the Yankees at Guaranteed Rate Field.

But after experiencing the incredible Field of Dreams Game between the Sox and Yanks on Thursday in Dyersville, Iowa, along with his son Landon, the Hall of Famer feels as if he needs to take in that movie at least one more time.

“It was great. It was so cool,” Thome said. “I’ve been very blessed and fortunate throughout my career to be around just great games and moments in baseball.

“That was so special. And kudos to MLB. The job they did to put all that together, and the field conditions, everything was just incredible. It was a moment that I think we all truly appreciated and enjoyed.”

Thome was joined by Paul Konerko, Toby Hall, J.J. Putz and A.J. Pierzynski -- who were among the former White Sox players in attendance for the thrilling 9-8 White Sox victory -- along with their sons. Landon, who is 13 and a baseball player, too, got to play catch with his dad at the original movie site.

“He told me when we left, ‘Dad, I think this is my greatest -- being around baseball, this is one of the cooler moments,’” said a smiling Thome. “It was just such a great feel-good moment. And the way the game ended and watching the players, I think they genuinely enjoyed it. That’s what was even better.

“When you embrace it and see the excitement in the fans, as a player, you truly enjoy that. You know what excitement it’s bringing to them.”

More plaudits for Field of Dreams
Manager Tony La Russa, who was in Florida for the funeral of his brother-in-law, watched the entire game with his family after the service.

“Baseball really hit a grand slam,” La Russa said. “Comments from fans and everyone was how well done [it was], and it turned out to be a game that you think would have been scripted on a Hollywood movie lot or something. It was amazing.

“Talking to the guys today, they were overwhelmed with the excitement, energy that was at the park. It felt like a great atmosphere. It was a big plus for baseball. Got scary there at the end, but we won a great game. What an experience.”

Catcher Seby Zavala contributed to the White Sox winning a great game. He homered in the fourth inning, and then he drew a one-out walk from Zack Britton in the ninth after being down 0-2 in the at-bat, setting the stage for Tim Anderson’s two-run walk-off home run into the right-field corn stalks.

“They made it as good as possible, and everything was ready for us," said Zavala of the player experience. "I was getting texts all night, saying that’s one of the most exciting games they’ve seen in a long time. It was fun. Good competition. We were able to pull through.”

Hendriks’ home runs
It has been a dominant first season in Chicago for closer Liam Hendriks, who has a career-high 26 saves to go with 82 strikeouts against six walks in 50 innings. The only issue has been Hendriks’ 11 home runs allowed, including two during a four-run ninth in Iowa, which La Russa discussed Saturday.

“The bigger the challenge, the more focused he is,” La Russa said. “He gets two six-out saves, he’s come in a couple of times with a four-run lead -- where some closers relax, he gets 1-2-3.

“We’ve taken him, one-run leads with the middle of the lineup several times and he goes 1-2-3. Once in a while, maybe try to do too much, but he’s proven in clutch times he rises to the occasion. The facts are the facts, 10 home runs are 10 home runs, but usually there are times when he is challenging, and the hitter won. One of his strengths is he makes pitches.”

Hendricks also had a rough outing in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Yankees in 10 innings, yielding three runs (two earned) in the final frame, including a two-run homer to Joey Gallo.

They said it
“There is a lot of excitement. There’s a lot of hope, and you feel like people around our city now are talking about the White Sox. That’s what’s special.” -- Thome, on the '21 squad

“It’s a part of history.” -- Zavala, on his Field of Dreams homer