Mark Buehrle retiring

[darin617]

Just saw an article saying that Mark Buehrle is going to retire after he pitched tomorrow. He said he just wants to pitch 2 innings so he can reach 200 innings. He has logged at least 200 innings since 2001.

I always had great respect for Buehrle as a White Sox and wish him a happy retirement. Kind of sad that he will be left off the Toronto post season roster.

[spinowner]

That's good news for the Twins. Even if we only see him once or twice a year he still seemed to dominate us.

[DocBauer]

I have always despised Mark Buehrle because he was a "pale hose" and owned us for a time.

 

But on a higher road, I always respected and appreciated him. He always seemed to be a class act to me and a real professional. And while never a star, he was imminently stable and consistent. And that is meant as a huge compliment.

 

I just wish he had been a Twin.

 

Best wishes.

[Shaitan]

He may have never been a "star," but he pitched 2 no hitters. Impressive career all around.

[mickeymental]

plus he made that opening-day glove flip between his legs a few years back ...

[bluechipper]

The ultimate "crafty lefty".

[biggentleben]

On top of all that, he's arguably the greatest fielding lefty in modern history. Greg Maddux once said that he envied Buehrle's defensive skills.

 

So, is Buehrle a HOFer?

 

214 wins

just short of 3300 innings after tomorrow

1870 strikeouts

116 career ERA+

5 All-Star games, 4 Gold Gloves, one Cy Young top-5 finish

 

60 bWAR career

 

He is short on black ink, gray ink, and JAWS, but I wonder if there will be a movement to get him in.

 

Thing is that the guy is only 36. He's still pitching solid and could hang around for another 3-5 years to attempt to get 250+ wins.

[kab21]

Buehrle is short on the dominant at any point in his career metric.  Even if the career stat thresholds need to be moved downward we are talking about a HOF where Curt Schilling and possibly Roy Halladay won't find enough support to get in.

 

This is a shot to my fantasy team.  I didn't expect him to be part of my starting lineup all season but you don't have many options in a 24 tm league.  He kind of saved my season and got me to the semi-finals.

[sane]

 

 He said he just wants to pitch 2 innings

That should take Buehrle about three minutes.

[Dantes929]

 

I have always despised Mark Buehrle because he was a "pale hose" and owned us for a time.

But on a higher road, I always respected and appreciated him. He always seemed to be a class act to me and a real professional. And while never a star, he was imminently stable and consistent. And that is meant as a huge compliment.

I just wish he had been a Twin.

Best wishes.

I despised Baines, Buehrle, Knoerko, Thome and Crede because they were White Sox and wish they all had been Twins.   Glad we got Thome and Crede for a while.

[David HK]

 

That should take Buehrle about three minutes.

Right on there.  I loved how old-school he was-  get it, and throw it.  Games under 2 hours.  I hated him with the Sox, but wished we could see him in a Twins uni at some point.  I remember reading a couple different times the club had a shot at acquiring him, and I crossed my fingers hard.  Wasn't to be, but I've enjoyed watching the guy pitch (except against us), and wish him well.  And, if he's never going to be a Twin, I'm glad he's gone!! 

[Vanimal46]

He was a Twins killer for a long, long time. 30-19 career record against us, and is the only active pitcher with 30 or more wins against one team. Like other have mentioned, I'll always remember him not wasting any time on the mound and refusing to let batters get comfortable at the plate with their routines. Whenever Buerhle took the hill it was guaranteed to be a 2.5 hour or less ball game.

 

Congrats on a great career and all the best in retirement!

[Squirrel]

I don't follow the Jays enough to know, but why is Buehrle left off the post season roster?

[kab21]

 

I don't follow the Jays enough to know, but why is Buehrle left off the post season roster?

I'm guessing that Price, Stroman and Estrada are the 1/2/3 for the rotation so they can pick one of Dickey or Buehrle for the #4 spot.  No reason to take 5 starters.

 

 

[Squirrel]

 

I'm guessing that Price, Stroman and Estrada are the 1/2/3 for the rotation so they can pick one of Dickey or Buehrle for the #4 spot.  No reason to take 5 starters.

Makes sense, I guess. It looks as if he had a decent year, and given his contributions as a player to the game, I'd think I'd have a hard time leaving him off the post-season roster. But then, it's a business and when you want to win, sentimentality should have little to do with it. It's the way it goes. Hard choices.

[Hrbowski]

One of the best. I loved watching him pitch because he did it right.

[biggentleben]

 

One of the best. I loved watching him pitch because he did it right.

 

Yeah, none of the disrespectful celebrating and enjoying himself while playing a game intended for children and community!

[Circus Boy]

Loves me some Buehrle. Any chance the Twins front office and Mollie could convince him to unretire?

[biggentleben]

 

Loves me some Buehrle. Any chance the Twins front office and Mollie could convince him to unretire?

 

From Huron? Hmmm...wonder which neighbor you are.

 

I believe there are about a dozen teams who would love to have Buehrle change his mind. I hope he doesn't Favre it.

[Circus Boy]

 

From Huron? Hmmm...wonder which neighbor you are.

 

I believe there are about a dozen teams who would love to have Buehrle change his mind. I hope he doesn't Favre it.

 

My wife and I sit behind you and your wife in church. Not in a stalking way, of course.

[Squirrel]

I think I will actually watch the start of the Jays-Rays game to see Buehrle complete his career ... if he doesn't do a Favre.

[Squirrel]

And Buehrle getting no help from his team may not make it through the first.

[Squirrel]

Wow, didn't know this tidbit on Buehrle ... in his 15 years in the majors, no trips to the DL.

[Squirrel]

And .... Buehrle is ending his career by giving up a GS. The only slam the Rays have hit all year.

[biggentleben]

 

And .... Buehrle is ending his career by giving up a GS. The only slam the Rays have hit all year.

 

2/3 IP, 0 earned runs. However, 8 runs were scored, costing him a chance at 200 IP

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Makes sense, I guess. It looks as if he had a decent year, and given his contributions as a player to the game, I'd think I'd have a hard time leaving him off the post-season roster. But then, it's a business and when you want to win, sentimentality should have little to do with it. It's the way it goes. Hard choices.

Buehrle has actually been dealing with a shoulder problem and struggling towards the end of the season (5.53 ERA in Sept/Oct, and that's not counting 9 unearned runs!).  Meanwhile, in addition to Price, they have Dickey, Estrada, and Stroman who have all come on very strong late in the year.

 

He'd pretty much have to make the roster as a reliever, and given his shoulder and recent performance plus his lack of bullpen experience, they probably have better options for that.

 

He will still be available as an injury replacement himself should the Jays need him.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Also, the retirement thing is still technically rumor/speculation.  Buehrle himself has said he doesn't yet know.  (Would be very odd to retire before the postseason, even if he's not on the roster.)  Maybe it will depend on how his shoulder feels over the winter.

 

As much respect as I have for Buehrle's career, the short start Sunday was pretty foolish.  He had just started Friday night, throwing 103 pitches in 6.2 innings.  To start again on 1 day rest just to keep the 200 IP streak alive was not cool, especially with ALCS home field advantage technically still on the line.  He probably could have tried for his 2 innings in relief once there was less doubt about the outcome.

[Squirrel]

 

Also, the retirement thing is still technically rumor/speculation.  Buehrle himself has said he doesn't yet know.  (Would be very odd to retire before the postseason, even if he's not on the roster.)  Maybe it will depend on how his shoulder feels over the winter.

 

As much respect as I have for Buehrle's career, the short start Sunday was pretty foolish.  He had just started Friday night, throwing 103 pitches in 6.2 innings.  To start again on 1 day rest just to keep the 200 IP streak alive was not cool, especially with ALCS home field advantage technically still on the line.  He probably could have tried for his 2 innings in relief once there was less doubt about the outcome.

Well, I guess he could've bowed out ... like Hughes did last year to meet a pay incentive. The Jays' org obviously offered him the opportunity. Always a risky thing ... although ... that first inning ... he should've been out of there before 9 runs scored, thanks to the team.