CHICAGO -- Mark Buehrle’s résumé features 524 appearances, including the regular season and postseason -- and one career save.
That save has become one part famous and one part infamous.
It came in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series, which the White Sox swept from the Astros in four games to claim the championship. Buehrle recorded only one out during this 7-5, 14-inning victory, but the real question is: How many alcoholic beverages had Buehrle consumed before taking the mound? That topic has been discussed by teammates, coaches and even Buehrle over the years.
Buehrle had started Game 2 at home on Oct. 23, working seven innings and throwing 100 pitches, so there was virtually no chance he’d get the ball again on Oct. 25 in Houston.
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Or so it appeared.
As part of our recent conversation, Buehrle explained this outing having taken on a life of its own for 18 1/2 years. His talks with pitching coach Don Cooper about being needed came as Game 3 progressed, as the White Sox used seven relievers.
“Yes, I did have a few beverages on the bench, and I went up to Cooper in the sixth, seventh or eighth inning. I don’t remember what it was,” Buehrle said. “They were starting to use the bullpen. This guy came in for a third of an inning and this guy came in for a third, so it was getting thinner and thinner there.
“I’m like, ‘Will you need me?’ and Coop said, ‘No.’ So I go get another beer. I did that a few times, and it was like, when he said, ‘Yeah, get [your] crap on,’ I thought he was just saying it because he was sick of me asking him. I got ready and went down there.
“The rest is history.”
How many beers did Buehrle consume on a night when his (eventually retired) number didn’t figure to be called? His guess is three or four.
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Said Buehrle: “It wasn’t like [catcher] A.J. [Pierzynski] said, where I was hammered. There have been other starts where I was feeling a little bit better than that one. Other games where I would get my [butt] handed to me in the first inning or two, I would have to maybe partake in a beverage just so I wouldn’t put my fist through the wall.”
When I asked if those drinks came after he had been lifted from a game, Buehrle said, “Maybe.”
“Maybe during,” he added with a laugh.
Let’s not lose the real focus of this performance. Buehrle produced outstanding individual numbers, with 214 victories, a perfect game against the Rays in 2009, a no-hitter vs. the Rangers in 2007 and 14 straight seasons with at least 200 innings pitched, 30 starts and double-digit victories. But he always was “team first,” and he always enjoyed his job.
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He retired Houston’s Adam Everett on a 1-1 popup to shortstop Juan Uribe with runners on first and third to finish the biggest game (at that time) in franchise history.
“Incredible,” said Buehrle of how that final out of Game 3 felt. “We were up by one or two, there were two guys on. In Houston that left-field wall is 100 feet from the mound. I remember [Chris Widger] called for a cutter, and I’m like, ‘Don’t leave this over the middle of the plate. If he hits a home run, it’s a walk-off. I have to make a quality pitch.’”
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How many White Sox catchers have won a Silver Slugger Award?
A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four
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The White Sox equipment truck left Guaranteed Rate Field for Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday morning, getting ready for pitchers and catchers to report on Feb. 14. Major kudos to those who loaded the truck the past two days, with the high in Chicago topping out at 5 and the forecast for below zero all Tuesday morning. It’s truly January in Chicago.
There should be more news to come before Spring Training. The White Sox have yet to announce their non-roster invites, their player-development staff or their new television play-by-play announcer, so stay tuned. We also can’t forget that Dylan Cease, one of the elite starters in the game, could be part of a trade before the White Sox arrive in Arizona.
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• I ran into Nick Madrigal at the media portion of Cubs Convention on Friday, and the one-time White Sox second baseman seemed upbeat and ready to go for the 2024 season.
• Happy eight-day anniversary to everyone celebrating the University of Michigan football team’s 15-0 record and national title. And what a week for Michigan sports overall. There was the historic title game victory, the championship parade and ceremony in Ann Arbor on Saturday; the Detroit Lions’ playoff victory on Sunday; and the Fab Five reuniting for Michigan basketball’s win over that school from Ohio on Monday.
• I don’t want to forget Steven Izzo’s basket at the end of the Spartans’ victory over Rutgers on Sunday. It was his first points in five years, but it’s readily apparent how much he means to the team, how much he means to the fans by their reaction -- as if he just nailed a game-winning shot in the Final Four. It was a cool moment to see.
• I’ve got the Lions over the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
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“We're looking for players that understand how to play the game, create a cohesive group that enjoys getting together on a daily basis to go out there and win baseball games. Foundationally, I feel like we're in a good spot to do that.” -- White Sox general manager Chris Getz
“I don’t really pay attention to it. Honestly, I didn’t realize the ballots are coming out until people start texting me when they read something or see something and I’m like, ‘Oh, it’s that time of year already.’” -- Buehrle, on being on the Hall of Fame ballot for a fourth time
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B. Pierzynski was honored in 2012, and Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk received the award in 1981, 1985 and 1988. |
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