Chicago White Sox to Honor Mark Buehrle with Statue at Rate Field
Mark Buehrle, a legendary pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, will be immortalized with a statue at Rate Field this season. The team made the announcement at Sox Fest, revealing that the statue will be located along the outfield concourse and unveiled on July 11.
During the announcement, Buehrle humbly stated, “You don’t play this game for all that stuff. I always played to have fun, try to win games. All of the other stuff will take care of itself.”
Buehrle, a 38th round draft pick in 1998, had an illustrious career with the White Sox, amassing a record of 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA over 12 years. He represented the team in four All-Star Games, finished fifth in the 2005 Cy Young voting, and achieved both a no-hitter and a perfect game. Additionally, Buehrle played a pivotal role in the White Sox’s 2005 World Series victory.
Notably, Buehrle ranks in the franchise’s top 10 in pitching WAR (48.9), starts (365), wins (161), innings (2,476 2/3), and strikeouts (1,396). He concluded his career with the Marlins and Blue Jays, retiring with 214 wins and a 3.81 ERA in nearly 3,300 innings. Only Hall of Famer Roy Halladay exceeded Buehrle in WAR from 2000-15.
The White Sox have previously retired Buehrle’s No. 56 in 2017. His upcoming statue will join the ranks of other baseball icons honored at Rate Field, including Luis Aparicio, Harold Baines, Carlton Fisk, and Frank Thomas.
Despite being on the Hall of Fame ballot multiple times, Buehrle’s induction remains uncertain. However, his impact on the White Sox and the sport of baseball is undeniable, making him a deserving candidate for such accolades.
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