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A perfect afternoon at The Times
Posted by: THernes on July 23, 2009 at 7:49PM EST
Co-worker and fellow White Sox fan Matt Saltanovitz informed me left-hander Mark Buehrle was perfect through six innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.

I knew the Sox were winning 4-0 thanks to grand slam by Josh Fields, but didn't realize Buehrle was perfect as I tended to my design work.

Now the thought of a perfect game was starting to race around through my head, but I didn't want to get too far ahead of myself, for all it would take was one bad pitch, bad play or lucky bounce for the dream to die.

One of televisions in The Times office was turned on, and I watched the top of the seventh inning at a distance from my desk, interested, but not yet "all in" to the possibility Buehrle – who tossed a no-hitter in 2007 against the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field – could retire 27 batters in a row.

Once it was the top of the eighth inning I moved close to the television to watch, and believe, this could happen. I had a nervous moment as Tampa Designated Hitter Pat Burrell lined a shot down the left field line just inches foul. But Burrell eventually made the last out of the inning, lining out to third baseman Gordon Beckham.

Now to the ninth. Buehrle had the home fans rooting him on at The Cell. More people gathered around the television to watch history in the making. Until Gabe Kapler pounded a Buehrle pitching to center field. Oh no I thought, a home run. Perfect game, no hitter, shutout, down the tubes.

Then, out of nowhere, center fielder DeWayne Wise - yes, the same DeWayne Wise I said earlier this week should have been shipped out instead of Brian Anderson - goes on a full sprint to the wall, jumps, makes the catch, then as he falls back to the ground the ball pops out, but he snags it with his bare hand. Phewwww!!!

Buehrle went 3-1 on the next batter, catcher Michel Hernandez, then struck him out. One more to go. Jason Bartlett then grounded a ball to short, and Alexei Ramirez threw to first to complete the 18th perfect game in major league history.

Then, a couple of fist pumps. Then, a feeling of pure joy. Then, a status update on Facebook.  

Mark Buehrle, thank you. 

 

 

  

 

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