# Buehrle pitched a perfect game today **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 23, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035 "2009-07-23T20:55:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/101 "2009-07-27T20:56:36Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > Buehrle’s 30 years old and has been pitching for 10 years. He’s had a very nice career. Talk about the Hall of Fame isn’t just premature – I think I’d be comfortable saying that it’s nearly impossible for him to get in at this point. Throwing aside the 300 wins argument - there are, after all, a lot of pitchers in the HoF without 300 wins, and Buehrle is clearly better than some of them (see Hunter, Catfish): who among his peers (say, ages 28-32) is better? Honest question, there, I don’t know all that much about current baseball players (I couldn’t believe that Jamie Moyer of all people was still active). Among the few that I could think of and check on, he looks to be clearly worse than Johan Santana and Roy Oswalt, about equal to Tim Hudson and C.C. Sabathia, and clearly better than Josh Beckett. And it’s not at all crazy to think he’ll have a better second half of his career than Oswalt, who’s always been a bit on the fragile side. So who am I leaving out? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/102 "2009-07-27T21:00:55Z")
Halladay? Too old to compare? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/103 "2009-07-27T21:03:25Z")
I’d put Halladay a notch ahead of Buehrle, though he’s also a bit older. (32, so within my parameters). ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/104 "2009-07-27T22:50:11Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Among the few that I could think of and check on, he looks to be clearly worse than Johan Santana and Roy Oswalt, about equal to Tim Hudson and C.C. Sabathia, and clearly better than Josh Beckett. Clearly better than Beckett? That’s a tough case. Beckett struggled with injuries for a long time (usually his fingernail, which I hold that he should just cut out). But he was instrumental in winning three World Series, and is becoming more and more dominant. If I had a choice right now between the two, it’d be Beckett, hands down. CC’s too early to tell. Santana is better, as is Halladay. Hudson’s a bit older, but I think that’s a really good comparison. I’d take Hudson (if they were the same age), though. Hudson won’t make the Hall either. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2009, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/105 "2009-07-28T00:32:34Z")
CC’s not going to have a long career. He has trouble even holding up through the season. Too many cheeseburgers. I say Santana is the best pitcher in baseball. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2009, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/106 "2009-07-28T00:39:05Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Clearly better than Beckett? That’s a tough case. Beckett struggled with injuries for a long time (usually his fingernail, which I hold that he should just cut out). But he was instrumental in winning three World Series… Beckett wasn’t with Boston in 2004. He’s won the Series twice. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2009, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/107 "2009-07-28T12:29:21Z")
Oh sure, drag \*facts \*into this! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/108 "2009-07-28T14:23:38Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Clearly better than Beckett? That’s a tough case. Well, so far at one year older than Beckett, he has about 600 more innings pitched, a similar ERA, and a better ERA+ (since he pitched his whole career in a DH league). Actually being consistently available to pitch has value. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/109 "2009-07-28T17:02:47Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Beckett struggled with injuries for a long time (usually his fingernail, which I hold that he should just cut out). Not the nail. The skin on his middle finger is prone to “avulsions” - like a callus separating. > [@](#): > > But he was instrumental in winning three World Series, and is becoming more and more dominant. If I had a choice right now between the two, it’d be Beckett, hands down. Same here. Beckett’s a proven winner. What worries me about Halladay is his stated preference for a “quiet atmosphere” as well as one that trains in Florida. He might be one of a disturbing number of guys who just can’t take the pressure, either on a contending team or in a high-fan-interest market. But there’s nowhere quieter than a ballpark in Canada. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/110 "2009-07-29T01:29:33Z")
He’s at it again. [Perfect through 5](http://espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=290728109) ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/111 "2009-07-29T01:29:50Z")
Buehrle perfect through five against the Twins tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/112 "2009-07-29T01:37:43Z")
Now this would really be something. Wouldn’t make him a Hall of Famer but it would be an all-time distinction like Van Der Meer’s, only better. I’ll be pulling for him. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/113 "2009-07-29T01:38:43Z")
And of course, WGN is showing the Cubs instead. I love the Cubs, doesn’t everybody, but can’t they do a split screen or something? SSG Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/114 "2009-07-29T01:44:18Z")
Alexi Casilla drew a walk with two out in the sixth. Buehrle set a record by retiring 45 batters in a row, and he still has a no-hitter going. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/115 "2009-07-29T01:45:14Z")
And there’s a hit by Denard Span. Predictable letdown. Still, what a groove this guy was in! ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/116 "2009-07-29T01:45:20Z")
Just gave up a hit. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/117 "2009-07-29T01:45:40Z")
Should we really be talking about this? But if he does it, that would likely ensure a spot in Cooperstown, provided he continues to pitch for a bunch of years and puts up good numbers. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/118 "2009-07-29T02:06:36Z")
As a Twins fan, I say yes, absolutely, we should have been talking about. In fact, I WAS talking about what a shame it would be if he blew the perfecto just as the seventh inning got underway. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/119 "2009-07-29T03:00:58Z")
Do you people really believe in jinxing things? I’m not talking about another player saying something to Buehrle and psyching him out, but fans or announces talking about it? ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035/120 "2009-07-29T03:06:59Z")
What, you don’t think he surfs the Dope when the Sox are at bat? SSG Schwartz [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buehrle-pitched-a-perfect-game-today/504035.md?page=7)