Unassuming and modest as always, Mark Buehrle was the last to know about the 10-year anniversary of his perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays July 23, 2009, at U.S. Cellular Field.
A call from White Sox media relations served as the reminder.
“Somebody might’ve texted me tomorrow and said ‘Happy anniversary’ and I wouldn’t know what they were talking about,” Buehrle said on a conference call Monday. “I haven’t watched it since. I’ve got myself so far away from baseball since I’ve been home, busy with family and traveling, farming, getting ready for deer and duck hunting [seasons].”
When a second question about the perfecto didn’t come right away, Buehrle said, ‘That’s it? Perfect.”
For Buehrle, who never wanted or needed attention, a one-question interview about the 18th perfect game in baseball history would have been just that.
His reaction when it was over? After center fielder DeWayne Wise sprinted to the wall to make a saving catch at the wall on Gabe Kapler’s deep drive, after broadcaster Ken Harrelson had implored viewers to call their sons and daughters, after shortstop Alexei Ramirez retired Jason Bartlett for the final out [“Alexei .... yes!” was Harrelson’s call] Buehrle was maybe the most stunned man at U.S. Cellular Field.
“Disbelief that it actually happened,” he said. “Even the no-hitter [which he threw against the Rangers in 2007], I always said no way I would throw one being a contact guy with not many strikeouts.”
Harrelson, a fan of Buehrle’s like none other, was beside himself.
“Of the thousands of games I’ve had the honor to call, and the big accomplishments of individual players, that was the greatest I’ve ever experienced,” Harrelson said Monday.
Today, Buehrle at age 40 is too busy enjoying “being a normal dad” at his place in Missouri to consider getting back in the game in any capacity.
He’s so far removed from baseball, he wasn’t aware Sunday was Hall of Fame day.
A place Harrelson says Buehrle, who pitched 14 straight seasons with 200 innings or more, belongs.
Buehrle doesn’t know about that. All he wants is to be known as a reliable pitcher and a good teammate.
Hall of Fame?
“That’s crazy talk, but that’s for other people to decide,” he said.
