Lots of Seconds: Mark Buehrle Tosses Perfect Game for Chicago White Sox

There are so many interesting things about Mark Buehrle's amazing performance today, that it's hard to list.

This was the second perfect game in White Sox history. The other was Charlie Robertson in 1922.

This was Mark Buehrle's second no-hitter, but this time he was perfect. In his other no-hitter, he only faced 27 batters. It was the same thing in this game.

This was the second perfect game of the decade, the other being Randy Johnson's performance in 2004.

The White Sox were in second place coming into the game, and the win moves them into a tie for first place.

Buehrle is the second White Sox pitcher to toss two no-hitters. The other was Frank Smith.

Mark Buehrle was just astonishing. Keep in mind, this was against the Tampa Bay Rays. They are a top-five offense in Major League Baseball. Look at their stats. They're third in runs scored, fifth in hits, fourth in home runs, second in total bases, third in RBI, fourth in batting average, and second in on-base percentage.

Buehrle continues to be one of the best pitchers of the past decade, and nobody can question that now. He's a crafty left-hander who is also a command-and-control pitcher, which is why his perfect game is all that more amazing.

There's a reason he was the lone White Sox representative in the All-Star game. He has been their best player. And it couldn't have happened to a better person, as Buehrle is not only an organization guy, but a kind human being.

Another impressive note? Look at the infield Buehrle was pitching with. Josh Fields at first, who is not good defensively and who is not a natural first baseman. Jayson Nix, who doesn't play every day was at second base. Alexei Ramirez, who has committed the most errors on the White Sox, was at shortstop. And rookie Gordon Beckham, a natural shortstop, was playing third base. Oh yeah, the catcher Ramon Castro has never caught Buehrle before today.

The game was capped off by one of the plays of the year in a spectacular catch by DeWayne Wise. I rescind my statement that the White Sox should have cut him. Ozzie Guillen deserves props for putting Wise in for defensive purposes.

Guess how long Mark Buehrle was on the mound. Thirty-two total minutes. Enjoy your phone conversation with President Obama, Mr. Buehrle. You deserve it.