Mark Buehrle, Retired


Date of Birth: 3/23/1979
Birthplace: St. Charles, Missouri
College: Jefferson College

Mark Buehrle, starting pitcher, was first drafted in 1998 by the Chicago White Sox. He spent the 1999 season in the minor leagues. The following season he was called up to the White Sox and he pitched in 28 games for them. In 2000, Buehrle pitched in 51.1 innings and had a 4-1 record and a 4.21 ERA with 37 strikeouts to 19 walks.

Buehrle's best season came in 2004 when he led the American League in games played (35) and innings pitched (245.1). That season he had a 16-10 record with 165 strikeouts to 51 walks.

The White Sox gave Buehrle a four-year contract extension in July, 2007. At the end of that contract, Buehrle signed a four-year, $58 million contract with the Florida Marlins, but he didn't stay with them for long. In November, 2012, the Marlins traded Buehrle to the Blue Jays. He finished the 2014 season with a 13-10 record, 119 strikeouts to 46 walks, and a 3.39 ERA in 202.0 innings in 32 games.

Buehrle is an excellent fielder as well as a star pitcher and he won four consecutive Gold Gloves from 2009 to 2012. His career fielding statistics include 454 games played with 18 errors, 550 assists, and 159 putouts.

Buehrle is one of just a few major league players to pitch a perfect game. His came on July 23, 2009 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Two years earlier, on April 18, 2007, Buehrle pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.

Buehrle pitched in 32 games in 2015. He finished the season with a 15-8 record, 91 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a 3.81 ERA in 198.2 innings. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Buehrle elected free agency on November 2, 2015.

Statistics for Buehrle in 16 seasons (2000-2015) in the major leagues include:

  • 15 seasons with 30 or more games played, with a high of 35 in 2003 and 2004
  • 14 seasons with over 200 innings pitched, with a high of 245.1 in 2004
  • 19 wins in 2002
  • 165 strikeouts to 51 walks in 2004

Career statistics for Buehrle through 2015 include:

  • 518 games played
  • 3,283.1 innings pitched
  • 214-160 win-loss record
  • 1,870 strikeouts to 734 walks
  • 3.81 ERA

Personal Life

Buehrle and his wife Jamie have one son and one daughter. They are animal right activists and they own four dogs.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Mark Buehrle
ESPN Sports - Mark Buehrle