The more Buehrle pitches, the more big moments he collects

Mark Buehrle deserves a nickname.

It's a difficult task, mainly because of that last name (BURR-lee).

"Whirly Buehrle?" Don't think so.

How about: "The Shark." You know, Buehrle is always on the move out there on the mound, and he's constantly on the attack.

Or maybe: "Mr. Perfect." The White Sox' 31-year-old lefty is still riding the wave from the perfect game he pitched against Tampa Bay last season. And Buehrle does have a perfect delivery, and has been deemed the perfect teammate by everyone from former manager Jerry Manuel to current teammate John Danks.

We'll keep working on the moniker, and ask broadcaster Hawk Harrelson and Sox fans for some ideas. Afterall, Monday's spectacular effort won't likely be his last.

In light of that, it's worth reviewing some of the remark-able moments Buehrle has given Sox fans since he joined club as a relief pitcher midway through the 2000 season:

For openers: In Monday's 6-0 victory against Cleveland at U.S. Cellular Field, Buehrle not only set the franchise record with his eighth start on Opening Day, he got the win after pitching 7 scoreless innings.

The perfect hike: Buehrle also made a defensive play in the fifth inning Monday that is unlikely to be topped the rest of the season. After kicking a line drive off the bat of Cleveland's Lou Marson toward first base, Buehrle chased the ball down and literally hiked it to Paul Konerko.

Bare-handing the flip from Buehrle, Konerko retired Marson at first.

"I haven't seen a more athletic play," White Sox reliever J.J. Putz said. "People always say pitchers aren't athletes. Well, he just proved everybody wrong."

Quick work: Also Monday, Buehrle retired 10 or more hitters for the 49th time in his career. And 7 of his starts have been played in less than two hours.

"It's fun playing behind him," second baseman Gordon Beckham said. "When he gets in a groove and gets people out, there's no stopping him."

In the MLB books: Over three starts last July, the St. Charles, Mo., product retired 45 straight hitters. That's a major-league record, formerly held by Sox closer Bobby Jenks (41 straight in 2007).

A perfect day: On July 23, 2009, Buehrle pitched the 18th perfect game in MLB history, beating the Rays 5-0 at the Cell. It took defensive replacement Dewayne Wise's "reMARKable" catch in the ninth inning to preserve the gem.

Longevity counts: Buehrle reached at least 10 wins, 30 starts and 200 innings in 2009 for the ninth year in a row, the longest active streak in baseball.

He's a star: Buehrle made the AL all-star team for the fourth time last season. Among all-time White Sox pitchers, only Billy Pierce (7) has more.

No-no, yes, yes: On April 18, 2007, Buehrle pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers. He issued only 1 walk, to Sammy Sosa in the fifth inning. Buehrle promptly picked off Sosa and retired the Rangers' final 13 hitters.

Quick healer: On April 5 of '07, Buehrle made his first start of the season but exited in the second inning after being hit on the left forearm by a line drive off the bat of Cleveland's Ryan Garko. What happened next is remarkable as well.

"He made his next start in five days," catcher A.J. Pierzynski marveled. "He's tough, he takes the ball and he'll pitch with pain and that's what you like to see out of your No. 1 guy."

Making a splash: For years, Buehrle enjoyed sliding on infield tarps during rain delays.

But with a fat contract and important role, Sox general manager Kenny Williams dry-docked Buehrle after the pitcher slipped and slided on the tarp at the Cell during a rain delay vs. Toronto is 2006.

"He needs to find a new hobby," Williams said.

Put me in, Skip: In 2005, Buehrle went 16-8 with a 3.12 ERA, finishing fifth in AL Cy Young Award voting.

The lefty kept rolling in the postseason, going 2-0 with a 3.47 ERA in 4 appearances. Three of them were starts, but Buehrle also volunteered to pitch relief in Game 3 of the World Series after starting Game 2 two days before.

In the longest Series game in history (5 hours, 41 minutes), Buehrle came out of the bullpen and retired the only hitter he faced (Adam Everett) to earn the save.

Honest spokesman: Late in the 2003 season, angry White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf blasted the team in the clubhouse. Most players were mum when asked for comment, but not Buehrle.

"(Reinsdorf) just said we have no heart and were stealing money," Buehrle said. "He's right."

Mark of curiosity: In 2002, Kansas City Royals first-base coach Tom Gamboa was attacked on the field by William Ligue Jr., and Ligue's 15-year-old son during a September game at U.S. Cellular Field.

Afterward, Buehrle walked down to the Cell's holding cell to get a look at the suspects.

"Just wanted to see what they looked like and what they were thinking about," he said.

Great start: In 2001, his first full season in the Sox' rotation, Buehrle won 16 games and finished fourth in the AL with a 3.29 ERA.

Steal of the draft: The unassuming 38th-round draft pick made his debut with the White Sox on July 16, 2000 and was 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA in 28 games (3 starts).

• If you have another favorite memory of Mark Buehrle, share it with us via e-mail at sgregor@dailyherald.com.