DJ Diesel - AKA Shaq - in Cleveland: Shaquille O'Neal gets Guardians on stage during concert

CLEVELAND — Will Brennan could hardly contain his excitement about legendary NBA center Shaquille O'Neal visiting Progressive Field.

The Guardians right fielder bopped around the clubhouse before Cleveland's 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday in search of a miniature basketball.

Brennan couldn't locate the ball he sought, but he gave another one, plus a baseball, to a Guardians employee with the hope of securing O'Neal autographs.

Shaq brought his musical act to Cleveland as “DJ Diesel” and performed during a postgame concert.

The Guardians played in front of their sixth sellout home crowd of the year (a season-high paid attendance of 37,133). Plenty of fans stayed for O'Neal's show.

“I think it's unbelievable,” Brennan said. “Sold-out crowd. I don't really know how much that is for him, for his deejaying ability or for the Guards. But it's exciting.”

Before the Guardians (48-26) defeated the Blue Jays (35-41), Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said he could sense buzz among the players about Shaq visiting the ballpark.

“It's awesome,” Vogt said.

O'Neal stood on a stage about where second base would be situated, and fans danced on the infield dirt while others remained in the stands. Armed with a microphone, Shaq often interjected as the music blared.

At one point, a group of Guardians players, including Brennan, joined Shaq on stage, whereupon O'Neal repeatedly asked, "Can we make it to the World Series this year?" Later, the former Cavaliers big man quipped he would return to Cleveland "free of charge" in exchange for the AL Central-leading Guardians appearing in the World Series.

In one of the most memorable moments, Shaq summoned Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie to grab a microphone and sing along with Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone."

Guardians news: Cleveland Guardians defeat Toronto Blue Jays in front of sellout at Progressive Field

What is Shaquille O'Neal's basketball legacy

O'Neal played 19 NBA seasons spanning 1992-2011, won four championships and made 15 All-Star teams. The Hall of Famer best known for his work with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat spent his penultimate season (2009-10) with the Cavs.

“I didn't have an opportunity to watch the Bill Russells and Kareem Abdul-Jabbars,” Vogt, 39, said. “But it's hard for me to think of a more dominant basketball player that's ever walked on the face of the Earth.”

Brennan, 26, said he's old enough to remember watching O'Neal, 52, play for the Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cavs and Boston Celtics.

A former Oakland Athletics player, Vogt said he met O'Neal during one of the NBA Finals in which the Golden State Warriors competed. After retiring as a player, Shaq has remained in the spotlight as an NBA analyst for TNT.

What Guardians players said about Shaq visiting Progressive Field

Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively, who improved to 7-3 on Saturday, said he has met Shaq a few times. Lively, 32, explained he used to see O'Neal at University of Central Florida basketball games while Lively was in college.

Like Brennan, McKenzie, Steven Kwan and other Guardians players, Lively joined O'Neal on stage. Asked whether he's a Shaq fan, Lively said, “Of course. Who's not?”

Shaquille O'Neal's DJ journey: 'DJ Diesel' brings bass-heavy electronic dance music

Brennan said he wanted to meet Shaq, but he also wished Guardians teammate and hoops enthusiast Josh Naylor an encounter on his 27th birthday, one commemorated with 15,000 Naylor bobbleheads being gifted to fans.

“I was arguing with [Naylor] today about how [Shaq is] the most dominant big man of all time,” Brennan said. “I'll stand by that.”

What's certain is Shaq still has enough celebrity clout to be adored by a younger generation of professional athletes.

And he can compel people to dance.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Shaq's DJ Diesel Tour hit Cleveland following Guardians game Saturday