Southland Savvy
Call it the best defensive play you've seen on Opening Day.
Call it the best defensive play you've ever seen made by a pitcher.
Call it the best defensive play you've ever seen, period.
Of course, you also can call it Mark Buehrle being Mark Buehrle.
Reaffirming his status as a Gold Gove winner and a master of the dramatic, the Sox ace wasted little time in presenting his latest magic moment. Already pitching a masterful game against Cleveland on Opening Day, Buehrle brought the packed house to its feet with his play in the fifth inning. Lou Marson's liner deflected off Buehrle's left shin and bounced across the first-base line into foul territory. Buehrle sprinted after it, and in one motion used his glove to scoop the ball between his legs and into the bare hand of first baseman Paul Konerko. Marson was out by half a step.
There were plenty of highlights in the Sox's 6-0 victory, including homers by Konerko and Alex Rios, two hits and brilliant baserunning by Gordon Beckham and a game-ending diving catch by Rios in center. But it was, of course, Buehrle who provided the biggest buzz.
The last Sox defensive play as exhilarating as Buehrle's came last season when Dewayne Wise's ninth-inning grab in center, which helped preserve a perfect game for … yep, Buehrle. Considering the stakes involved with that catch, coupled with Wise's bobbling of the ball as he tumbled to the ground, the Wise play will rank tops on many Sox fans' lists of defensive gems.
On Monday, Hawk Harrelson said he'd seen “none better” than Buehrle's play. Ozzie Guillen, showing uncommon restraint, said, “It could be one of the best I've ever seen.” On Comcast's postgame show, rookie studio analyst Frank Thomas said he's never seen a better play by a pitcher.
My reaction to Buehrle's play was a convulsive fit of laughter. I can't explain why. And the next three replays of it sent me into fits of laughter again. I suppose it was just the sheer joy of seeing something so incredible, coupled with the realization that baseball is back.
And Buehrle is back to being Buehrle.
Other Opening thoughts
Jake Peavy made it clear in spring training that Buehrle needed to be the Sox's Opening Day starter. Great teammate … and smart guy.
Sox fans are rightfully worried about Carlos Quentin's ability to stay healthy for the entire season, and Quentin immediately added to their concerns by getting plunked by Indians starter Jake Westbrook in the opener.
Buehrle's start was his team-record eighth on Opening Day. He had shared the record with Billy Pierce.
