One of the first steps in Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams’ admitted rebuilding phase was letting starting pitcher Mark Buehrle sign with another team.
Buehrle inked a four-year deal with the Miami Marlins, reuniting him with former Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen.
While the Marlins may have reached a bit in signing the soon-to-be 33-year-old Buehrle to a $58 million deal, Buehrle has given White Sox fans plenty of thrills during his 12 seasons in Chicago.
The steady left-hander was always a fan favorite, and could always be counted on to give a quality start every five days.
Here are Mark Buehrle’s five best moments with the Chicago White Sox:
5. 2010 Opening Day Fielding Gem
Buehrle made arguably the best fielding play of the season when he robbed Lou Marson of a hit.
Buehrle has made a career of changing speeds, keeping hitters off balance, and pitching to contact. His fielding skills have helped him be one of the league’s most consistent pitchers during the last decade. This under-the-legs toss to Paul Konerko was definitely one the highlights of his time with the White Sox.
4. Complete-game victory in 2005 ALCS
With the White Sox down 1-0 to the Anaheim Angels in the 2005 AL Championship Series, the last thing they needed was a two-game deficit before their trip to the West Coast. Mark Buehrle was tasked with shutting down the Angels, and with only a solo home run allowed, Buehrle went the distance as the Sox evened the series.
Buehrle only yielded five hits, along with no walks during his masterful performance. The game will always be remembered, however, for A.J. Pierzynski’s controversial dropped-third strike play. Pierzynski extended Chicago’s ninth inning when he ran to first on what looked like a clean strikeout. The Angels went to the dugout without tagging Pierzynski, and the White Sox went on to win the game on Joe Crede’s game-winning double.
3. Buehrle’s World Series Relief Appearance
After leading the Sox to a Game 2 victory just two nights earlier over the Houston Astros during the 2005 World Series, Buehrle was called on to preserve a 7-6 lead in the 14th inning of Game 3.
Despite having pitched seven innings just 48 hours earlier, Buehrle made his one and only career relief appearance, earning the save as the White Sox took a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Astros.
2. Buehrle’s first no-hitter.
Buehrle only yielded one base-runner, a walk to Rangers outfielder Sammy Sosa. Buehrle then picked off Sosa at first base, erasing the Rangers’ only base-runner of the night.
It was the first no-hitter thrown by a White Sox pitcher since 1991 when Wilson Alvarez no-hit the Orioles.
1. Buehrle is Perfect against the Rays
Mark Buehrle again made history in 2009, pitching a perfect game at home against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays had plenty of firepower in 2009, but were quieted by Buehrle as he became only the 18th pitcher in MLB history to throw a perfect game.
The most pivotal moment was during the ninth inning when utility outfielder Dewayne Wise made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall to rob Gabe Kapler of a would-be home run, which would have ended Buehrle’s bid for perfection.
It was perhaps the most memorable of Buehrle’s many accomplishments in a White Sox uniform.
-James Kries
