As a charter member of the newly-formed American League in 1901, the Chicago White Sox have a rich baseball tradition. More 30 men have donned the team’s uniform and made it to the Baseball Hall of Fame. One of the best hurlers to ever play for the club is left-hander Mark Buehrle.

A 38th-round pick in the 1998 draft, Buehrle made his MLB debut two years later. After appearing in 28 games and winning four of his five decisions, Buehrle was promoted to the rotation the following season. As a full-time starter in 2001 he went 16-8 and led the league in WHIP. In ’02 Buehrle made his first All Star team.

Known for his durability, Buehrle averaged 220 innings per season from 2001-2011, surpassing the 200-mark each year. He posted double-digit win totals every season while averaging 14 victories per year. The southpaw was selected to the All Star Game in ’02, ’05, ’07 and ’09 with the Sox and in 2014 with Toronto.

Along the way he had many highlights. In 2005 he led the AL in innings and helped the White Sox reach the postseason. In four October appearances he went undefeated as Chicago won it all for the first time since 1917. Two seasons later he pitched came within a whisker of pitching a perfect game. Only a walk to Sammy Sosa – who Buehrle promptly picked off of first base – kept from from the perfecto. Instead Buehrle happily settled for a no-hitter.

On July 23, 2009, Buehrle got his gem. He retired all 27 Tampa Bays Rays he faced to author the 18th perfect game in baseball history. When he left Chicago as a free agent after the 2011 season, Buehrle stood in the top-10 of most career pitching categories for the franchise. He ranked 4th all-time in strikeouts, 6th in wins and 7th in appearances, innings pitched and pitchers’ WAR.

Buehrle pitched four more years after leaving the White Sox, suiting up for the Marlins in 2012 and the Blue Jays from 2013-2015. Ever the workhorse, he averaged 202 innings and posted double-digit win totals each year. After going 15-8 and leading the AL in complete games in 2015, the unassuming pitcher slipped into retirement.

Mark Buehrle left the game with 219 wins, 5 All Star selections, and a World Series ring. His career WAR stands at a healthy 59.1, higher than many Hall of Fame hurlers. The list includes all-time greats including Mordecai Brown, Whitey Ford, Sandy Koufax, 300-game winner Early Wynn, and others.

Shown here is a 2001 Topps Museum Dual Jersey autographed card.

In an era of dwindling innings from starting pitchers, Mark Buehrle was a workhorse. From May 5, 2004 to August 1, 2005 he threw at least six innings in 49 consecutive games. The streak was ended only when he was ejected by umpire Tom Gorman.

The night before Buehrle’s streak ended, the Sox squared off against the Baltimore Orioles. In the top of the third inning Birds pitcher Todd Williams drilled Chicago second baseman Tadahito Iguchi with a fastball that forced him out of the game. No action was taken by the White Sox.

The next day in the sixth inning with two out and one on, Baltimore’s Daniel Cabrera hit White Sox catcher A.J. Peirzynski on the elbow. The next batter Jermaine Dye ripped a single down the right field line to put the Sox ahead 2-1. They never relinquished the lead.

In the bottom half of the inning Buehrle retired the first two batters before hitting B.J, Surhoff squarely in the back. Home plate umpire Brian Gorman immediately ejected Buehrle to avoid further escalation.

White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson went off on the umpire. “Ah, come on! What are you doing? You gotta be kiddin’ me! What are you doing, Brian Gorman? Are you nuts? Are you nuts?”.

One out away from completing the 6th inning, Buehrle was removed from the game. His streak was over. Shown here is the autograph of Gorman’s crew chief that day, umpire Joe West.

Mark Buehrle’s durability wasn’t just memorable, it was historic. In an era of pitch counts and load management, Buehrle was a prolific workhorse. From 2001-2014, Buehrle tallied at least 200 innings.

The 14-year run puts him tied Hall of Famers Greg Maddux, Phil Niekro, and Christy Mathewson for the fourth-longest run in baseball history. Only the 17-year run put together by Warren Spahn and the 15-year runs by Gaylord Perry and Don Sutton surpass that of Buehrle. All the pitchers with at least 14 consecutive 200-inning campaigns except Buehrle are in the Hall of Fame.

When Buehrle became eligible for the Cooperstown ballot in 2021 he garnered just 11% of the vote. Since then he has made no serious run toward gaining the required 75% for induction.

Shown here is the signature of Mathewson who some consider the greatest pitcher of all time.

Mark Buehrle’s dozen years in the Windy City left quite an impression on the White Sox organization and its fans. His performance earned him the team’s two top honors: the retirement of his jersey number and induction into the franchise’s Hall of Fame.

Buehrle represented the Pale Hose in four All Star games, and won three Gold Gloves while in Chicago. While wearing the White Sox uniform, the big left-hander threw a no-hitter and a perfect game. In 2005 he helped the Sox earn their first World Series title since 2017.

In a June 24, 2017 Chicago ceremony to retire Buehrle’s #56, the pitcher humbly thanked White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

“Mr. Reinsdorf, the White Sox organization…I can’t thank you enough. You guys have made a huge impact on me and my family’s life on and off the field and I can’t thank you enough. You fulfilled my dream to be able to play professional baseball. Every kid dreams of that and you gave me the opportunity. Hopefully I pleased you and did everything you could ask for.”

In 2022 White Sox inducted Buehrle into their team Hall of Fame.

Though he may never make Cooperstown, Buehrle remains beloved in Chicago and forever a part of the team’s history.

In the collection is this letter signed by Reinsdorf, baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, and White Sox Vice Chairman Eddie Einhorn. The trio invites 84-year old Hall of Fame pitcher Waite Hoyt to the 1983 All Star game held in Chicago’s Comiskey Park.