Today’s 9–Mark Buehrle, page 2

I keep my White Sox collection by players last name. When that player reaches 9 cards (a page), they get a post in the Today’s 9 series. I just recently moved all my cards into alphabetical order so most of these posts are just catching up and making sure everybody get’s their due.

MARK BUEHRLE

Cards (L-R) – (top row) 2005 Leaf Limited #’d 697/699, 2005 Topps, 2005 Topps World Series

(middle row) 2005 Topps World Series (season highlights), 2005 Topps World Series (season highlights), 2005 Topps World series (postseason highlights)

(bottom row) 2005 Upper Deck First Pitch, 2006 Bowman, 2006 Fleer Ultra

Played with the Sox from 2000-2011

Has made 4 All-Star appearances over his career and has take home a gold glove in his last 3 seasons. Led the league in innings pitched in 2004 and 2005. Mark threw a no-hitter against the Rangers with one walk in 2007 and also threw only the 18th perfect game in MLB history in 2009 against the Rays.

Card back info –

“Buehrle was a major factor in the hot start by the White Sox in 2005.  He allowed two hits in eight scoreless innings against the Indians on Opening Day and set a personal best with 12 strikeouts in a complete game three-hitter vs. the Mariners on April 16.” – 2005 Leaf Limited

“It may not be a glamor stat like strikeouts or ERA, but SBA (stolen bases against) is one that helps Mark win an extra game here and there.  His ability to hold runners is so uncanny that, in 2003, no one even tried to steal against him until his 16th start.  Buehrle finished the year with only one swipe against him (by Boston’s Johnny Damon) in five tries.” – 2005 Topps

“Mark’s early-season near-infallibility helped establish the White Sox as a legitimate team-to-beat.  He allowed two hits on Opening Day, lost his next start, then won nine straight.  That earned him the nod to start the All-Star Game (which he won).  In the World Series Championship, the smooth southpaw earned a one-batter save in the 14-inning marathon that was Game 3.” – 2005 Topps World Series

“Chicago, IL – Not since the heyday of Greg Maddux has baseball seen such a quick-working, frequent-winning workhorse as Buehrle.  The stalwart southpaw bookended a couple of outings in Baltimore in May 2004 and August ‘05 by getting the White Sox into the seventh inning in 49 consecutive starts.  It was the longest such streak in the Major Leagues since Steve Carlton worked at least six frames 60 straight time more than 20 years ago.” – 2005 Topps (season highlights)

“Chicago, IL – Buehrle’s credentials to start the 2005 All-Star Game were impeccable: The White Sox ace hit the break with a 10-3 record and a 2.58 ERA, as well as recently snapped streaks of nine consecutive wins and 27 2/3 scoreless innings.  He worked two shut-out frames and picked up the victory – stretching the unbeaten streak for the American League to nine years.  It was Mark’s second All-Star Game appearance.” – 2005 Topps (season highlights)

“Buehrle quickly turned the tide of momentum in the ALCS with a masterful pitching outing that knotted the series with the Angels at one game apiece.  It was “classic Buehrle” – a 99-pitch/71-strike complete game in which he allowed only fave hits and no walks while inducing 14 ground ball outs.  He threw only eight pitches in the ninth, then watched as teammates scored moments later for a 2-1 win.” – 2005 Topps (postseason highlights)

“As consistent a winner as any left-hander in MLB over the past five seasons, Buehrle posted another rock-solid campaign for the White Sox in 2004.  The southpaw workhorse became the first Chicago lefty since Wilbur Wood to record four consecutive seasons of 14 or more wins.” – 2005 Upper Deck First Pitch

“Resume – Finished fifth in 2005 AL Cy Young award voting…Ranked third in AL with career-best 3.12 ERA…Has won at least 14 games in each of last five seasons.  Skills – Quick worker who throws strikes…Offsets well-spotted fastball with excellent change-up…Almost always goes deep into games…Sensational pickoff move.  Evolution – Buehrle’s “stuff” is not that impressive by MLB standards, but he learned to change speeds early on, transforming three pitches into the equivalent of nine.” – 2006 Bowman

“A workhorse on the hill for the World Series Champions, the White Sox, Buehrle won at least 14 games and logged over 200 inning for the fifth straight season.  The left-hander’s 10-1 record to begin the campaign earned him the starting nod in the All-Star Game, in which he struck out three and earned the win.” – 2006 Fleer Ultra

Cards in Sox uniform that I currently own – 70

Autos/Relics from player above that I currently own - 4

Mark was huge for us in 2005 and helped lead us to a World Series win.  Our pitching staff was outstanding and was the reason we made it to the World Series.  Mark is a picture of consistency, you can count on him for 200+ innings every year.  He was the only pitcher on the staff then that could hold runners on.  He has a great pick off move to 1st and I’ve seen him pick off quite a few runners in the games I’ve watched.

He has great accuracy and his walk to strike ratio shows that.  Because he’s not a strikeout pitcher, he relies on his defense.  And it’s a thing of beauty to watch that kind of pitcher.  Strikeouts are cool and dominating, but nothing tops team play, and that’s what you get when Buehrle is on the mound.

Stay tuned for Mark’s next page for his first relic card.