Earlier yesterday it was announced that Mark Buehrle will have his number retired at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 24th.
https://twitter.com/ChuckGarfien/status/834796382393348096
If we are being completely honest, I've never really even thought about Mark getting his number 56 enshrined in White Sox lore; however, looking back, one could argue that he is a Top 5 player in White Sox history. His stuff was never electric, or made people gasp. Instead, he consistently hit his spots, worked incredibly fast on the mound, and played exceptional defense.
Getting his number retired is something Buehrle absolutely deserves. Looking back at his career in Chicago, it is easy to see why he was beloved by so many.
Even Buehrle himself did not think he could do the crazy things he did in his incredible career.
Honorable Mention: First Career Jack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwMwIzyg8ug Without further ado, here is the top 5 Mark Buehrle moments on the South Side.5) Between The Legs
Coming in at No. 5 on our list, is a play that most pitchers could only make in their wildest dreams. On Opening Day in 2010, the White Sox were going head-to-head with their division rival, Cleveland Indians. In the top of the 5th, Buehrle took a screaming come-backer off of his leg, sending the ball down the first base line and into foul territory. Instead of Buehrle assuming the baserunner would be safe, he charged down the ball, and... well, see for yourself... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_m3qy2O7bA How Buehrle made this play look so effortless is beyond me. Between him chasing it down after taking a line drive off of his leg, flipping it between his legs to Paul Konerko without even looking, and avoiding making contact with the baserunner, this is truly a defensive play for the ages. Konerko bare-handing the ball just puts the icing on the cake.[USE ARROWS ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING]
4) Complete Game In The 2005 ALCS
Many White Sox fans from 2005 do not really remember the team having many games that were a "must win". Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS was definitely one of those games. After falling in Game 1 to a fired up Los Angeles Angels team, the White Sox sent out Mark Buehrle to even the score, and boy did he deliver. Buehrle allowed 1 run on 5 hits, going the distance in what would end up being the first of 4 consecutive complete games. With Mark able to tie up the series at 1, the White Sox would return to Chicago with all the momentum, winning the ALCS in 5 games, advancing to the Fall Classic.3) Picking Up A World Series Save... While Intoxicated
There might be better Buehrle moments, but this one is for sure my personal favorite. The White Sox were trying to go into Houston and put a stranglehold on the World Series. Already up 2-0, the Sox were facing the difficult task of going on the road for the first time in the series. Throughout the game, Mark Buehrle was drinking beers out of a styrofoam cup. Having just pitched in game 2, there was virtually no chance of him playing, so why not get a buzz on? Pitching coach Don Cooper recalls that Mark asked him if he would be needed tonight, to which Cooper jokingly responded:“Heck no, we’re trying to win this game. We don’t want you in it. The only way you're coming in is if it goes to 13 or 14 innings”So, naturally it did. Once the game got to the 14th inning, Mark Buehrle was the last available pitcher for the White Sox. All he did was record up the final out of the game, picking up the save and giving the White Sox a 3-0 World Series lead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfMknSAUOWM
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2) The No-Hitter
In a 2007 season that many fans choose to just forget, Mark Buehrle's No-No was one of the lone bright spots. If there is one word for this pitching performance, it would be gritty. The Texas Rangers were making solid contact off of Buehrle all night long, but he never let that alter his game plan. The defense played throughout this game was simply poetry in motion. Between a few diving plays from Joe Crede, Jermaine Dye robbing what may have been a home run, and Buehrle picking off Sammy Sosa immediately after walking him, this game reminded many of the defense that defined the 2005 World Series Champions. Fans will never forget this incredible performance, and it will forever be a piece of White Sox history. Enjoy the goosebumps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RElS42UVbUE[USE ARROWS ABOVE TO CONTINUE READING]
1) Perfection
Bring up Mark Buehrle's perfect game, and any White Sox fan will be able to say where they were when it happened. (For me it was a caddy shack watching on a tiny television that would lose its signal every 5 minutes, but that's beside the point). Obviously Buehrle threw the perfect game, but the hero of this game is without a doubt CF DeWayne Wise. With 3 outs to go until Buehrle had done the impossible, Tamba Bay's Gabe Kapler hit a bomb to left-center field. Wise, who was inserted into the game for defensive purposes, made Ozzie Guillen look like a genius as he perfectly timed his jump, caught, bobbled, and secured the 25th out of the game. Mark did the rest, and added another incredible accomplishment to his already star-studded career.Even Buehrle himself did not think he could do the crazy things he did in his incredible career.
"I never thought I'd throw a no-hitter, never thought I'd throw a perfect game and I never thought I'd hit a home run, Never say never in this game because crazy stuff can happen."Indeed it can Mark, indeed it can. From White Sox fans all over the world, congratulations. number 56 will forever be yours.
