Mark Buehrle: 5 Best Chicago White Sox Seasons

Mark Buehrle signed with the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, according to FoxSports.com. Buehrle's signing with the Marlins ends his run of 11 full seasons with the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox made Buehrle one of the great late-round draft picks in baseball history, pulling him out of the 38th round in 1998.

Now, the marriage between the fine left-handed starter Buehrle and the White Sox has ended. Buehrle was a crucial part of the White Sox starting rotation during his tenure. While Buehrle wasn't a No. 1 starter in the classical sense, he was the ace for the White Sox.

Buehrle was a banner of steadiness for the White Sox. He pitched 200 innings in each of his 11 seasons for the White Sox. Never did he fail to start 30 games. Buehrle won 161 games, completed 27 games, compiled an earned run average of 3.83and walked only two batters per nine innings.

Also, Buehrle tossed two no-hitters.

Buehrle is fourth in White Sox history in strikeouts (1,396), sixth in wins, and seventh in innings pitched (2,476.2).

As Buehrle departs from the club on the south side of Chicago, it's worthwhile to examine his five best seasons with the White Sox.

5. 2007

10-9, 3.63 ERA, 3 CG, 1 shutout, 201.0 IP, 115 K, 2 BB/9

Buehrle pitched steadily for most of the 2007 season. He pitched a no-hitter on April 18 against the Texas Rangers, facing the minimum 27 batters and walking only Sammy Sosa.

Buehrle went into the All-Star break with a 2.98 ERA, but didn't earn an All-Star appearance.

Buehrle posted a 5.8 pitching wins above replacement figure, sixth best in the American League.

4. 2011

13-9, 3.59 ERA, 205.1 IP, 109 K, 2 BB/9

Buehrle was outstanding for most of the 2011 campaign. For much of the year, he was among the leaders in the AL in earned run average. He had a 3.05 mark at the end of August before spinning out in his next three starts.

Buehrle's consistency was as good as it was in almost any season in his final White Sox campaign. He tied a White Sox record with 19 consecutive starts allowing three or fewer runs. It was a relatively quiet streak as he didn't pitch a complete game, let alone a shutout.

In his last outing in a White Sox uniform, Buehrle pitched seven shutout innings, allowing six hits and striking out six on Sept. 27 against the Blue Jays.

Also, Buehrle earned his third Fielding Bible award, the fielding award presented by Bill James.

3. 2002

19-12, 3.58 ERA, 5 CG, 2 shutouts, 239.0, 134 K, 2.3 BB/9

Buehrle was solid in his second full season with the White Sox. He posted his highest win total, which placed fourth in the AL. Also, he was second in complete games and innings pitched. Buehrle made his first All-Star appearance.

Also, he posted a 4.5 wins above replacement.

2. 2001

16-8, 3.29 ERA, 4 CG, 2 shutouts, 221.1, 126 K, 1.07 WHIP 2 BB/9

Buehrle's first full season was a memorable one. He was fourth in the AL in earned run average and 10th in innings pitched. He led the league in walks and hits per inning pitched.

Also, Buehrle had a 5.3 pitching wins above replacement.

In August, he one-hit the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. From May 26 to June 7, he pitched 24.2 scoreless innings, the most for a White Sox pitcher since 1967.

1. 2005

16-8, 3.12 ERA, 3 CG, 1 shutout, 236.2 IP, 149 K, 1.9 BB/9

No season stood out more in Buehrle's White Sox career than the World Series-winning 2005 campaign. He won Game 2 of the World Series against the Houston Astros, allowing four runs and striking out six. Then, he pitched the last out of the 14-inning marathon to earn the save, becoming the first pitcher in World Series history to earn a win and a save in consecutive games in the World Series.

Buehrle was a vital part of the White Sox's effort to break the 88-year World Series drought. He won two postseason games, including a complete game shutout in the American League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Buehrle was stellar in the regular season. He was sixth in the AL in wins, third in earned run average and third in pitching wins above replacement (5.4).

In July of that year, his string of 66 consecutive starts of at least six innings came to an end when he hit Cleveland Indians slugger Travis Hafner in the face and was ejected.