Mark Buehrle
From BR Bullpen
Mark Anthony Buehrle
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
- School Jefferson Community College
- Debut July 16, 2000
- Born March 23, 1979 in St. Charles, MO USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher Mark Buehrle attended Jefferson Community College, where he was a NJCAA Third Team All American. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 38th round of the 1998 amateur draft and signed with the team the following May. He debuted with the Burlington Bees and went 7-4 with a 4.10 ERA; he struck out 91 while walking just 16, but allowed 105 hits in his 99 innings. He had an excellent start in 2000, going 8-4, 2.28 for the Birmingham Barons with only 17 walks in 119 innings, and would be named the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher and be the lefty on the league's All-Star team.
After just over a year in the minors, Buehrle made the jump from AA to the Sox in July 2000. He pitched mainly out of the bullpen that season before joining the team's rotation the following year. In his first five seasons as a starter, he was the model of consistency and durability, winning at least 14 games and throwing at least 220 innings each year. Buehrle pitched at least six innings in 49 consecutive starts from May 5, 2004 to August 1, 2005. He has also earned the reputation as one of the fastest-working pitchers in baseball, occasionally finishing a game in under two hours. He started and won the 2005 All-Star Game then went 2-0 with a save and a complete game in the 2005 post-season, when the White Sox won their first World Series since 1917. His complete game victory in the 2005 ALCS was the first of four consecutive complete game victories for the White Sox.
On May 14, 2006 against the Minnesota Twins, Buehrle gave up seven runs in the first inning but still managed to get the win. He became the first pitcher in over a century to win a game after giving up at least seven runs in the first (the only other was Jack Powell of the St. Louis Cardinals on September 29, 1900). He was named to his third All-Star team that year but then had a horrible month of July, going 0-5 with an 11.48 ERA in 5 starts. He ended the season with his worst numbers since joining the Sox rotation: just 12 wins, a 4.99 ERA, and his first sub-.500 season.
Buerhle pitched a no-hitter on April 18, 2007, giving up only one walk (to former White Sox player Sammy Sosa). It was the 16th no-hitter in White Sox history. He had previously pitched a one-hitter in 2001.
On July 8th, 2007, Buerhle agreed to a four year contract extension worth a reported $56 million. The contract includes a no trade clause in the first year, but its absence in the middle years of the contract were compensated with more guaranteed money should he be traded.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2000 Pitcher of the Year Southern League Birmingham Barons
- 3-time AL All-Star (2002, 2005 & 2006)
- 2-time AL Innings Pitched Leader (2004 & 2005)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 4 (2001, 2002, 2004 & 2005)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 7 (2001-2007)
- Won a World Series with the Chicago White Sox in 2005
