MLB Free-Agent Signings: Top 5 Mark Buehrle Memories with Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox fans can officially say their goodbyes to Mark Buehrle.

It's been likely the Chicago favorite was going to be signing a free-agent contract with any one of a host of suitors. It seems that the Miami Marlins will be getting the benefit of Buehrle's services for the next four seasons.

Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports are reporting that Buehrle is set to ink a deal worth $58 million over those four years.

Fans hoped for a last minute turn of events that would somehow keep Buehrle pitching for the only organization he has known. What we all kind of knew all along seems to be definite. As I speculated last month,  Buehrle is moving south to reunite with Ozzie Guillen. Good luck to him.

If this indeed is the time to eulogize his career with the White Sox, there were plenty of memorable moments along the way. Feel free to comment with some of yours.

Here are my top five memories of Buehrle through the years.

5. The No-Hitter: April 18th, 2007

Buehrle allowed just one baserunner against Texas. He walked Sammy Sosa in the fifth and promptly picked him off first. The White Sox won 6-0 and Buehrle was the owner of the 16th no-no in team history.

Buehrle struck out eight Rangers and faced the minimum of 27 batters. I remember yearning for what could have been had Sosa not been issued the free pass. Turns out there would be another day to chase perfection.

4. Flashing the Gold Glove

Buehrle won three Gold Gloves in his tenure in Chicago, the first coming after the 2009 season. It didn't take him long to showcase his prowess the following season.

Pitching in his eighth opening-day appearance on April 5th, 2010, Buehrle made the defensive play of the year in the fifth inning against Cleveland.

You can watch that play here. No point in describing it to you. Chances are you've seen this already. If you have never seen this gem, you have to see it to believe it took place.

Buehrle also shut out the Indians for 7.1 innings as the White Sox won 6-0.

3. The Perfect Game: July 23rd, 2009

"Call your sons, call your daughters, call your friends, call your neighbors! Mark Buehrle has a perfect game going to the ninth!"

A lot to remember on this day. Hawk Harrelson's call, the catch that made it so DeWayne Wise can eat free anywhere in town for the rest of his life, the joy of sheer perfection and a 5-0 White Sox winner.

You can see all 27 outs here in about five minutes.

2. The 2005 Season

Arguably his best season, where he went 16-8 with a 3.12 ERA. He started and won the All-Star Game. He finished fifth in that season's Cy Young voting and led Chicago's pitching staff to the best ERA in the American League.

Buehrle also won two postseason games against Boston and Anaheim, tossed a no-decision in Game 2 of the World Series and recorded the last out of the 14-inning Game 3 triumph.

A great season by Buehrle capped by a World Championship on the South Side.

1. Rain Delay Slip and Slide

Before Kenny Williams put a stop to it, fans were occasionally treated to Buehrle using the U.S. Cellular Field tarp as his personal water park.

Of all the things I'll remember about Buehrle's time on the South Side, I'm going to most remember moments like this when his fun-loving spirit shined bright. The outstanding achievements were to be lauded, but what Buehrle brought to the park each day was just as special.

Buehrle exemplified the blue-collar attitude White Sox fans like in their stars. He will definitely be missed.