Friday, July 24, 2009
Mark Buerhle is really pretty good
4:35 AM | 
Posted by
Nick Mendola
I'm happy that Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle has added a perfect game to his resume, that he's getting another moment in the Sun to go with his 2007 no-hitter and 2005 World Series title.
I'm happy because he's likely destined to be slighted, a terrific and consistent career downgraded because he's a non-strikeout pitcher who tosses for the second-most important team in his city, let alone division or league.
Mark Buehrle may be on pace to go to the Hall of Fame -- he recently turned 30 -- but would likely end up in a wing with John Smoltz as often-over-looked hurlers*. Now, Buehrle's career would really have to take off this year, as Smoltz's 29th year on Earth was a 24-7 gem, but it was also the first time the now surefire HOFer won more than 15 games in a campaign (granted he wasn't the unquestioned No. 1, or even No. 2, on that Braves staff.
*You could argue for Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte's inclusion in this group, but both have played for the Yankees, which is like a giant magnifying glass for any decent player, for better or worse.
Save for his two spotless outings, Buehrle isn't a "sexy" pitcher. He doesn't put up gaudy punch-out numbers, but just wins and his ***NERD ALERT NERD ALERT NERD ALERT*** baseball reference comparison through age 29 is pretty fantastic company: Johnny Podres, Bret Saberhagen, Tom Glavine and Barry Zito (I included Zito because it shows how quickly a world-class pitcher can drop off).
His career 162-game average is 15-10 with a 3.76 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. His career strikeouts-per-nine is 5.26, remarkably average. Buehrle pitches in a hitters park (337 feet to left), and he's been much better than average, but less than great, for a long time (Though it's also worth noting that his worst year, 2006, came after consecutive seasons of pitching the most innings in the league).
I'd also like to thank Buehrle for completing the Chicago no-hitter/perfect game combo for my fantasy baseball team, the Addison Baseball Club. Cubs wonder Carlos Zambrano blanked the Astros in Milwaukee last September for our fine club.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
I'm happy because he's likely destined to be slighted, a terrific and consistent career downgraded because he's a non-strikeout pitcher who tosses for the second-most important team in his city, let alone division or league.
Mark Buehrle may be on pace to go to the Hall of Fame -- he recently turned 30 -- but would likely end up in a wing with John Smoltz as often-over-looked hurlers*. Now, Buehrle's career would really have to take off this year, as Smoltz's 29th year on Earth was a 24-7 gem, but it was also the first time the now surefire HOFer won more than 15 games in a campaign (granted he wasn't the unquestioned No. 1, or even No. 2, on that Braves staff.
*You could argue for Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte's inclusion in this group, but both have played for the Yankees, which is like a giant magnifying glass for any decent player, for better or worse.
Save for his two spotless outings, Buehrle isn't a "sexy" pitcher. He doesn't put up gaudy punch-out numbers, but just wins and his ***NERD ALERT NERD ALERT NERD ALERT*** baseball reference comparison through age 29 is pretty fantastic company: Johnny Podres, Bret Saberhagen, Tom Glavine and Barry Zito (I included Zito because it shows how quickly a world-class pitcher can drop off).
His career 162-game average is 15-10 with a 3.76 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. His career strikeouts-per-nine is 5.26, remarkably average. Buehrle pitches in a hitters park (337 feet to left), and he's been much better than average, but less than great, for a long time (Though it's also worth noting that his worst year, 2006, came after consecutive seasons of pitching the most innings in the league).
I'd also like to thank Buehrle for completing the Chicago no-hitter/perfect game combo for my fantasy baseball team, the Addison Baseball Club. Cubs wonder Carlos Zambrano blanked the Astros in Milwaukee last September for our fine club.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
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