'I love it': Mercedes tries namesake ?

CHICAGO -- The meteoric rise of Yermín Mercedes through the first month of the 2021 season has already netted Player of the Week honors for the White Sox designated hitter, not to mention a “Yermínator” T-shirt worn by fans, teammates and White Sox coaches.

But now, Mercedes can also lay claim to a burger in his honor.

Fabulous Freddies, located one mile from Guaranteed Rate Field, added “The Yermínator” to its menu in honor of the White Sox designated hitter. Perhaps inspired by the recognition, Mercedes went out and got four hits in Chicago's 9-7 victory over the Rangers on Friday night.

According to a review by chicagofoodmagazine.com, The Yermínator is a Dominican Chimichurri Burger, a traditional Dominican street food. The ground beef patty is seasoned with Dominican flavors and topped with tomatoes, pickled red onions, shredded cabbage and the eatery's secret chimichurri sauce. Mercedes resides in La Romana, Dominican Republic, so Freddies is helping the newest sensation feel right at home.

Before Friday's game, Mercedes made it clear during a Zoom call that he was ready to sample the offering.

“I want The Yermínator burger right now. I'm hungry. I want to try it,” said a smiling Mercedes. “I've waited for it all day.”

As he hoped, Mercedes had the chance to sample the burger shortly after that -- chowing down while wearing a shirt with a picture of himself on it, which is how you know you've truly made it -- and then promptly went 4-for-4 at the plate. Presumably, that performance was only helped by the deliciousness of the burger, which he heartily praised while trying it.

"Oh my god," Mercedes exclaimed as he unwrapped the meal. "Very nice."

And the tasting only got better from there, as he dug in and complimented the sauce and the flavors. Now we're hungry.

Mercedes is appreciative of the recognition and the near-hero worship as the end of April approaches. But he’s also working even more diligently to make all these supporters proud.

“Now, everybody's doing stuff for me, like T-shirts, like the burger, everything,” Mercedes said. “So that's the reason I'm working hard every day, to be part of my fans, my people next to me. Just so excited. A couple months ago, I wouldn't have believed that I would be at this point right now.

“Yes, I'm surprised. So I'm so excited for that. I never imagined I would be here. Now we're here, keep going. Don't put the head down. Just keep doing what I'm doing every day to keep it at that point. That's great for me, I'm feeling great, feeling nice because I'm with my people, with my fans and with everybody. So I'm excited for that.”