WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF FEBRUARY 24, 2017 “White Sox to retire Buehrle's uniform No. 56” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Improving Anderson a key piece to Sox rebuild” … Phil Rogers, MLB.com “Starter for Saturday's spring opener TBD” …Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox Tilson hopes to return next week” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Harris continues following Jackie's path” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Would be nice if 'quotable' Jerry Reinsdorf would talk about White Sox” … Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune “White Sox prospect Carson Fulmer recovers from being 'kicked around' in '16” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Rick Renteria expects good things from 'fluid-fielding' Tim Anderson” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Rick Hahn: White Sox rebuild 'hardest' for Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Not made for TV, hot prospect Lucas Giolito forges own path to White Sox” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “White Sox prospect Zack Burdi lucked into watching Mark Buehrle's perfect game” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “White Sox to retire Mark Buehrle's No. 56” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Anderson’s plate discipline will look better, Renteria said” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun Times “Rowand doing his part to make White Sox good again” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun Times “White Sox to retire Mark Buehrle’s number” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun Times “RICK RENTERIA: White Sox not overly concerned about Todd Frazier’s injury” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “ZACK BURDI: Mark Buehrle’s prefect game was an ‘electirc moment’ ” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “White Sox rebuild offers ‘leeway’ for Giolito after frustrating 2016 season” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “White Sox will retire Mark Buehrle’s number in June” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “White Sox to retire Mark Buehrle's No. 56 in June”… ESPN.com “Chicago White Sox to retire Buehrle's No. 56” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “White Sox to retire Mark Buehrle's number” … Jesse Yomtov , USA Today

White Sox to retire Buehrle's uniform No. 56 Southpaw, who won 161 games for team, will be honored June 24 By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | February 23rd, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- In all the years White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams has known Mark Buehrle, Williams can remember just one time when he had to ask the All-Star southpaw in a rather stern manner what he was thinking. "For some reason, water and tarps and rain delays brought the little kid out of him," said Williams with a laugh as he spoke about one of the best pitchers in franchise history. Buehrle probably won't be doing any tarp-diving on June 24, even if there is a rain delay that afternoon. On that day, the White Sox will honor Buehrle by retiring his No. 56 jersey during a special tribute before the first pitch against Oakland.

Fans can celebrate Buehrle's perfect game against the Rays in 2009, his no-hitter against the Rangers in '07, his save in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series, his shocking home run against the Brewers and his countless outstanding defensive plays. But as Williams notes, he also was a class act in the clubhouse and throughout the organization. "You know he's one of the best that has ever put on a White Sox uniform. He represented the organization in a first-class, fun way," Williams said. "The next person I meet that says that Mark Buehrle wasn't a good teammate or wasn't a top-notch pitcher and person will be the first person I meet that feels that way." "It's just outstanding and a well-deserved honor," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "All of us who were close to Mark or anyone who followed the club closely during his tenure with us knows just how special he is and how important he was to a very successful period of White Sox baseball." Buehrle will be the 12th player to have his number retired by the White Sox, including former teammates Paul Konerko and Hall of Famer Frank Thomas. He was drafted by the White Sox in 1998, making his MLB debut in 2000. With the White Sox, Buehrle was a four-time American League All-Star and three-time AL Gold Glove Award winner. The left-hander went 161-119 for the White Sox, with a 3.83 ERA, 27 complete games, eight shutouts and 1,396 strikeouts over 390 appearances (365 starts). Buehrle ranks among the franchise leaders in strikeouts (4th), starts (4th), quality starts (4th, 231), wins (6th), strikeout-to-walk ratio (7th, 2.48), innings pitched (7th) and games pitched (8th). He also posted 11 straight seasons of at least 200 innings pitched, 30 starts and double-digit victories. Mark Buehrle became a fan favorite on the South Side.AP Williams had talked to Buehrle about coming back during Spring Training to share his wisdom with the young players. Buehrle considered the offer, according to Williams, but a family commitment took precedence. "His desire to come back and help out is part of who he is," Williams said. "One guy I had to pick out who made the pitching coach good and made me keep my job, him first," White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said. "Nothing bothered him. He was the same every day, on and off the field. Steady performer, steady guy." "Mark was one of my favorite people, and that is saying a lot," former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said via text to a pool reporter. "He was the best teammate ever. Everyone loved this man. Everyone."

Improving Anderson a key piece to Sox rebuild Shortstop showed defensive prowess as a rookie By Phil Rogers / MLB.com | @philgrogers | February 23rd, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Tim Anderson has vivid memories of the tryouts he went through for teams four springs ago, flying to St. Louis and Dallas-Fort Worth after the East Valley Community College Warriors had finished their season. His eyes were wide as he left Decatur, Miss., and arrived at Busch Stadium and Globe Life Park. "I'd never really been nowhere, just Alabama and Mississippi,'' Anderson said. "That was pretty good for me, very exciting. Now going all over, it's amazing.'' Anderson is 23, both athletic and well positioned. He seems to be in exactly the right place as the White Sox shortstop. He raced through the Minor Leagues to get ahead of the team's decision to rebuild. He heads into his first full season with the Sox having already homered over the Green Monster in Boston, started a triple play and made a series of spectacular Derek Jeter-style jump throws to get outs after going to his right for grounders.

His confidence is as high as his desire to get better, and that's a pretty good combination. "Looking back, I really haven't a lot of full seasons under my belt,'' Anderson said. "Coming out of junior college, that was my first two full seasons [of baseball]. I was big on basketball. As I grow and mature, I'm still young. I've got a lot to improve. There's a lot more in the tank. I'm definitely working to get to it.'' This is an era of great young shortstops around Major League Baseball, with most of the buzz belonging to Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, Francisco Lindor and Addison Russell. Trevor Story and Dansby Swanson are the name brands behind those but based on how well he played after joining the White Sox last June, Anderson is highly capable of inserting himself into the mix of future All-Stars. Anderson hit .283 with nine home runs and 10 stolen bases in 99 games as a rookie. But it was his play in the field that left him and his bosses feeling confident that he's about to become their most impactful homegrown position player in a decade or more. When the White Sox selected Anderson with the 17th pick overall in 2013 -- before the Cardinals and Rangers had a chance to take him -- there was a question whether he would be consistent enough defensively to stay at shortstop. But Anderson is a worker, and says he's "a completely different'' player than he was just three years ago, when he was in the Carolina League. Working with White Sox coach Joe McEwing, the 6-foot-1 Anderson learned to get lower on grounders and use his first-step explosiveness to get to balls. Former manager Robin Ventura was struck by Anderson's judgment last season, praising him for consistently finding "a way to do the smart thing.'' McEwing has said Anderson has "the it factor,'' with all the tools necessary to become a very good player, maybe even a great player. Rick Renteria, the former Major League infielder who is taking over from Ventura, says Anderson has Shawon Dunston's arm and athleticism but is more fluid with his movements at shortstop. While Anderson did commit 14 errors, FanGraphs rated him as being worth six Defensive Runs Saved. That ranked 11th among 48 shortstops who got at least 200 plate appearances. Anderson admitted Thursday that he sometimes surprises himself. "Sometimes I look back at the video and I ask, 'How do I do it?' '' he said. "For me to make those plays was huge. I'm happy, proud of myself for the steps I took from 2013 until now.'' Renteria recently watched video from Anderson's days on the basketball court. He led Hillcrest High in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to a state championship. "As I've seen him jab-step, move around on the floor, I can see why he's a good shortstop,'' Renteria said. "He's got really good actions.'' White Sox general manager Rick Hahn praises Anderson's commitment to defense. But it's only one part of why he's so confident that Anderson is going to have a long career. Hahn believes Anderson is going to excel as a hitter even if he hasn't yet developed the pitch recognition and plate discipline to make pitchers work harder against him. The downside of Anderson's rookie season was that he had only one walk and 39 strikeouts in his first 131 plate appearances, and finished the season with a 13/117 ratio over his 431 plate appearances. "If he had, uh, let's just call it better discipline, then he would be hyped at the same prospect level as some of the elite young shortstops in the game today,'' Hahn said. "He knows himself very well. He knows he can get himself into a little bit of trouble outside the zone. But we've seen him do damage on bad pitches. He's a good bad-ball hitter. I think he wants to improve in that area. He knows he can do more damage in the zone than out of the zone, and as he continues to develop as a hitter I think you'll see more of that over coming years.'' Anderson isn't stressing out about having a .306 on-base percentage, only 23 points higher than his batting average.

"It was one of those things,'' he said. "I really didn't pay attention to it. I still kind of don't pay attention to it. It's for the outside people looking in. That's something that will improve. It will definitely improve.'' While the White Sox offseason headlines were all about newcomers like Yoan Moncada and the trades that Hahn either has made or is working on making, Anderson is the organization's ace in the hole. "Obviously, you want to build as much premium talent as you can up the middle,'' Hahn said. "To have at least one of those positions having a long-term answer, potentially, that's one very difficult need already checked off, which helps in the long run.'' Anderson has been impressed watching Moncada and the pitchers who were acquired from Boston and Washington with the trades of Chris Sale and Adam Eaton. "We're going in the right direction here,'' Anderson said. "We're building that bond we need, that brotherhood. I feel like we've got a chance here to do something special in Chicago. I'm pumped about it.'' Anderson gives the White Sox a running start to that future.

Starter for Saturday's spring opener TBD By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | February 23rd, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Those wanting to know the White Sox starting pitcher for Saturday's Cactus League opener against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch will have to wait a little longer. "Not yet," said a smiling White Sox manager Rick Renteria. "Talk to me tomorrow. "More than anything, just sitting down and talking to [White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper] on how we want to use these guys. There are going to be some guys who are probably throwing in some B games also. Just controlling some of the innings and really just work with them too." White Sox visit Luke Air Force base David Robertson, Nate Jones, Jake Petricka and Kevan Smith paid a visit to Luke Air Force Base on Wednesday after workouts. Jones' wife, Lacey, and Erin and Luke Robertson, the closer's wife and son, also were part of the visit. "He got a bunch of autographs," said Robertson of his excited son. "He got the pilots and military to sign." Robertson and Jones described the visit as "awesome," being more in awe of the individuals serving at Luke than the servicemen were of the White Sox players. "They get to fly fighter jets," Robertson said. "The stuff they get to do, to me, is amazing." "Those are the true American heroes," Jones said. "Just being in the presence of them is awesome. Everybody should respect that because they are protecting us. They are protecting everyone in this country. It's a special job and they are the heroes for sure." Rodon set to play catch again Carlos Rodon will stretch out again Friday playing long toss. But Renteria did not provide a date for Rodon's first bullpen off the mound. "He'll be out there soon, but I couldn't tell you," Renteria said. "I have to look at the schedule. I know he's scheduled to throw again tomorrow. Some more long-tossing. He's extending and he feels good. He's holding it back a little bit." Special arrival

Jim Thome, the prolific slugger and possibly future Hall of Famer who now serves as a special assistant to general manager Rick Hahn, made his first camp appearance Thursday. He received a warm greeting from many of the young hitters he has worked with over the past few years.

White Sox Tilson hopes to return next week Outfielder has been out with stress reaction in foot By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | February 23rd, 2017 + 1 COMMENT GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Charlie Tilson and Todd Frazier stand as the White Sox main injury concerns as Saturday's Cactus League opener approaches. Tilson, who has been rehabbing following surgery to repair a torn left hamstring suffered last August in Detroit, has been sidelined during Spring Training by a stress reaction in his right foot. The left-handed-hitting center fielder is on Day 5 of what he believes will be a 10-day to two-week absence. "I'm doing everything I can just to try to stay busy and locked in mentally. Doing a really good job of that, I think," Tilson said. "It's a minor setback, but no surprise given the operation I had a short time ago. "All you can do is move forward. Nobody wants to be in the big leagues more than me. Believe that, and I'm doing everything I can to be there." Before this setback, Tilson was looking at getting everything up to game speed as possibly being the final step in his recovery. The worst-case scenario would have Tilson starting the season on the disabled list but certainly not removed from the big league picture. "Objectively, your heart goes out to the kid," said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn of Tilson, who hopes to start swinging the bat in the next couple days. "Every young player who is given a potential opportunity to play regularly in the big leagues wants to seize that opportunity. "Add to it getting hurt in his first game at the big league level and the anxiousness that compounds in terms of wanting to get back out there. You add to the fact that this is his hometown and the team he grew up rooting for, which increased the desire to get out there and represent and show what you can do. "It's not just the physical side," Hahn added. "We are going to have to work on the psychological side if it gets to the point where we need to slow this down a couple of weeks into the season." Meanwhile, Frazier has been slowed by what he described as a left oblique strain. Both Frazier and White Sox manager Rick Renteria said the third baseman felt good Thursday. "Right now it's just a mild soreness," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "So we're not concerned about it too much."

Harris continues following Jackie's path Former White Sox shares hometown, selfless spirit with Hall of Famer By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | February 23rd, 2017 CHICAGO -- Willie Harris was a high school student in Cairo, Ga., when he was assigned a paper about someone of historical significance. Cheryl Simmons, Harris' English teacher, recommended that Harris write about Jackie Robinson. "It was mainly because she knew my passion for baseball," said Harris, the former White Sox outfielder who now manages the club's Class A Advanced Winston-Salem affiliate. "She said to herself, 'I think Willie needs to know who Jackie Robinson was.'" It's difficult not to know about Robinson, and not just by people in the baseball ranks. As MLB's first African-American player, Robinson stands as one of the country's most historically significant figures. Harris' research as a high school student led him to this early knowledge of the barrier-breaker. "I found out what [Robinson] went through, the way he had to carry himself. He just had to bite his tongue," Harris said. "I found out also he probably wasn't the best player.

"He wasn't the best African-American player, but he was the best fit for that situation. He was fit perfectly for going into the big leagues, and his characteristics and his demeanor were perfect for not fighting back, and keeping his mouth shut, and doing his thing, and letting his bat do the talking and his legs do the running. I learned a ton about him as far as that goes." Robinson was inducted into Hall of Fame in 1962. He was a six-time All-Star, won the Rookie of the Year Award in '47, won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in '49 and captured the NL batting title that same season. The jersey No. 42 is retired across baseball in Robinson's honor. Over 12 Major League seasons, Harris hit .238 with 107 stolen bases and 365 runs scored. His greatest moment came in 2005, when he singled to open the eighth inning of a scoreless contest between his White Sox and the Astros in Game 4 of the World Series, then came around to score the deciding run in a 1-0 victory that clinched the South Siders' four-game series sweep. Yet, Harris and Robinson share a bond running deeper than their hometown of Cairo. Robinson broke barriers so that Harris and other African-American players would have the chance to practice their craft. Without Harris coaching youth baseball teams over the past three years in Jacksonville, Fla., including his son, Trevez -- a highly regarded freshman in both football and baseball -- those players might not be as advanced as they are now. Harris will be making his managerial debut this season after coaching for Great Falls of the Rookie League for the White Sox last year. Harris' long-term goal is managing at the big league level. It's all about teaching and helping right now, much like his hero, Robinson, whom he wrote about in high school -- the Hall of Famer who has a chimney monument preserved at the site of his one-time childhood home in Cairo, and the man who once stated, "A life is not important except the impact it has on other lives." "If I could help a kid out any kind of way, I'm going to do that," Harris said. "Whether it helps me or benefits me, it doesn't matter. My career is over. It's time to help other kids get to the big leagues, and let them live their dream out. I lived mine. "Jackie Robinson was all about other people's lives. So, it's huge for me just to know that about him, and how he carried himself. High school really was when I figured out who Jackie Robinson was, and the accomplishments he made and the things he went through."

Would be nice if 'quotable' Jerry Reinsdorf would talk about White Sox Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune | February 23, 2017 Jerry Reinsdorf looks pretty good for a guy who turns 81 Saturday. Owning two sports franchises as dysfunctional as the Bulls and the White Sox hasn't affected his mental health, even as they have driven their fans crazy at times. What Reinsdorf wants in his golden years is another championship or two, though neither team looks close to fulfilling that wish. His front-office tandems, GarPax and KenRick, are trying desperately to change that however they can, as the White Sox's rebuild indicates. It took a tag-team effort from Vice President Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn to convince Reinsdorf the time finally was right to rebuild, something the Sox haven't attempted since manager Jerry Manuel's era two decades ago, which resulted in a division championship and a first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the Mariners in 2000. Since Williams took over for GM Ron Schueler in 2001 and acquired veteran David Wells, the Sox basically have been in "go-for-it' mode every year. It worked well in 2005, obviously, but the Sox haven't

been back to the postseason since '08, prompting the new game plan that received final approval last year from "the Chairman." Hahn said the usual route of adding was like "trying to thread a needle," and Reinsdorf was "tired of us trying (that) … even though his natural demeanor is to win and to win now." Time is not on Reinsdorf's side, so a Cubs-patented tank job to get high draft picks and wait for them all to develop is out of the question. Carlos Rodon and Tim Anderson are already here. Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito and Carson Fulmer are already mostly developed, and Michael Kopech isn't too far off. White Sox practice at spring training Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. If the Sox can contend again by 2019, when Reinsdorf turns 83, the rebuild will be heralded as a success. It would be nice to hear Reinsdorf's thoughts on the direction the Sox are headed, or the Bulls, for that matter. As everyone knows, Reinsdorf doesn't do many interviews with the media these days, except with reporters he deems friendly. I asked Hahn on Tuesday to convince Reinsdorf at least to talk about the rebuild with Sox beat writers, as Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts does occasionally with the media following the Cubs. The idea was rejected promptly. "That's decidedly above my pay grade," Hahn said, laughing. It's too bad, I told Hahn, because Reinsdorf is really an interesting guy with a sharp sense of humor. "He's very funny," Hahn said. And he's "quotable too," I added. "That's maybe the problem," Hahn laughed. "He's quotable." I certainly can attest to that. I was on the White Sox beat 22 years ago in 1995, when the players were on strike and Major League Baseball brought replacement players to spring training. Reinsdorf compared union head Don Fehr to cult leader Jim Jones, who in 1978 had induced more than 800 followers to commit mass suicide via cyanide-laced punch. "I don't want to say something that's going to make headlines, but there is a certain similarity," he said. "The players are blindly following Don Fehr." In '95, when the Sox shocked everyone by bringing back misanthropic manager Terry Bevington after finishing 32 games behind the Indians, Reinsdorf said of the season: "I'm not ashamed or embarrassed about what happened this year. I'm disgusted. But it's just one of those things. It was a nightmare, but as far as I know, having a bad season didn't cause anyone to get sick or die." The next year he lamented the fact the Sox had too many "laid-back" players like third baseman Robin Ventura: "You'd love to have him married to your daughter. But he's very laid-back. He has over 100 RBIs and over 30 home runs this year. But he's kind of a laid-back guy. When Harold Baines was here early in the '80s, no one really cared about him being laid-back because we had a lot of goofballs like Ron Kittle and Greg Luzinski and Jerry Koosman and (Tom) Paciorek. But now, we don't have anybody of that nature." Those were the days. Alas, the spigot has been shut off. Outside of Reinsdorf's statements emailed to the media, we hear nothing. We can only imagine what Reinsdorf really thought last year of the Drake LaRoche saga, or

Chris Sale's uniform-slicing incident, or whether he was as "disgusted" by the way the season played out as he was in '95. Of course it's Reinsdorf's prerogative to remain silent, but it really is a shame. Most Sox fans seem on board with the rebuild, so it would be nice to give them a window into Reinsdorf's thinking.

Rick Renteria expects good things from 'fluid-fielding' Tim Anderson Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | February 23, 2017 White Sox manager Rick Renteria has spent some time watching video from Tim Anderson's days as a high school basketball player. As he watched Anderson "flying across the court," he thought of Anderson's potential in the middle of the infield. "As I watch his jab step, I can see why he's a pretty good shortstop," Renteria said. "He has some very good actions, a very good arm. He's very calm, very composed. "He's a very fluid-fielding shortstop. One of the thoughts when I came in was he might not be able to fill that spot, that he might be an outfielder. But as you watch him play he's a very confident — not an arrogant, but a confident — player who has the ability to move around the diamond well." Anderson was a basketball and baseball player when he was younger and didn't focus solely on baseball until junior college. He has made big strides defensively over his four seasons in professional baseball. In his first 99 games in the big leagues, he committed 14 errors, was credited with six defensive runs saved and had an ultimate zone rating of 6.3, according to FanGraphs. But he said this week he wants to continue to improve all aspects of his defense, which he honed with bench coach Joe McEwing last year. "Last year, even before the games, we practiced those plays to my backhand, to my left," Anderson said. "We're always working." Extra innings: Renteria said he hopes outfielder Charlie Tilson, who is out with a stress reaction in his right foot, can begin limited activities like throwing Friday. … Left-hander Carlos Rodon is set to play long toss again Friday and will throw his first bullpen "soon."

Not made for TV, hot prospect Lucas Giolito forges own path to White Sox Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | February 23, 2017 When Lucas Giolito was in eighth grade, he was picked to perform a Shakespearean sonnet before his entire class. He recalls the reading going fairly well, but his distaste for the nerves he felt told him the family business wasn't for him. While his grandfather, parents and younger brother all have taken their turns at acting, a ballpark always has been Giolito's preferred stage, and MLB.com's No. 11 overall prospect is working this spring to be cast as the newest White Sox star.

"I never really felt comfortable (acting)," Giolito said. "Being on stage and having to remember lines, I was never really interested in it. Whereas in baseball, I could be pitching in front of 40,000 people and feel comfortable just doing what I'm doing." The huge gap that exists in retirement security planning offers financial services providers an opportunity to help millions of individuals feel more secure about their future. Giolito is the Sox's top pitching prospect, a 6-foot-6, 255-pound right-hander who joined a group of exciting new arms on the South Side when he arrived from the Nationals in the Adam Eaton trade this winter. His baseball journey began after watching the game as a child with his mom and dad, who were Twins and Mets fans, respectively. But he doesn't come from a long line of athletes. His paternal grandfather, Silvio, was a two-time Olympic fencer for Team USA, but Giolito said he believes the farthest any relative advanced in baseball was in Little League. Instead, his family advanced in Hollywood, where his grandfather, Warren Frost, appeared in numerous television shows, including "Matlock," "Twin Peaks" and "Seinfeld." His mother, Lindsay Frost, is a long-time stage, screen and television actress who broke out when she replaced Meg Ryan on the soap opera "As the World Turns" and is now a painter. His father, Rick, also acted before moving on to the video-game industry. And younger brother, Casey, is auditioning for theater programs. Growing up, Giolito would read scripts with his mother and go with her as she did voiceover work. He most loved joining his father at the design studio to play video games that hadn't yet come out and imagines he would pursue a similar career if he weren't pitching. "They instilled in me the work ethic, that you always have to keep working, keep doing the right thing to be able to be successful," Giolito said of his parents' successes. Giolito, 22, is still in search of his own such success. The Nationals selected him No. 16 overall in the 2012 draft out of his Los Angeles high school, but he underwent elbow surgery later that summer. After his recovery, he worked his way up in the system before making his major-league debut in 2016. Giolito pitched four scoreless innings with a hit, two walks and a strikeout in a rain-shortened debut against the Mets, but he didn't have a scoreless outing after that. He posted a 6.75 ERA over six big-league appearances, bouncing between the minors and majors as he was needed. He said the back-and-forth last year helped him mature and reinforced a need to seize opportunities given to him. "I experienced a lot of hardship in the big leagues last year," Giolito said. "I took a lot away, about dealing with adversity, being able to make adjustments on the fly, slowing things down when they're speeding up. "I definitely learned a lot more from that than the success I experienced in the minor leagues." As Giolito tried to fix the poor results last year, he monkeyed with his mechanics, and that made things worse. "I would get into bad habits and I would try to correct them, but I wouldn't go about correcting them the right way," Giolito said. "I would try to force things instead of relaxing and trusting."

Whether those issues played a part in the Nationals including one of the top-rated pitching prospects in baseball in the Eaton trade is unspoken publicly, but Giolito said he had an "immediate positive reaction" when he heard about the deal on Twitter. He viewed his arrival at Camelback Ranch for spring training as a clean slate, and he said he did "dry work" in the offseason to fix his mechanics. Giolito said pitching coach Don Cooper has him working on commanding his fastball low and away to right-handed hitters and throwing his offspeed pitches for strikes over the first two weeks of camp. "He has a lot of talent," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "There are a couple of pitches he will bury that nobody will be able to hit. … Very good arm. Very good action, live." The Sox have stressed they will take a deliberate approach to their new prospects' development, so he shouldn't be bounced around like he was with the Nationals. Triple-A Charlotte is the likely starting point. But if he does arrive at Guaranteed Rate Field soon, a reporter suggested he use as his entrance music the theme to "Seinfeld" to honor his grandfather, who died last week at the age of 91. Giolito said he needs to catch up on the show first. "It was a little before my time," Giolito said. "I know that's a timeless show, so I should really check it out and see what my grandfather did." Giolito said his family's acting careers are a good icebreaker to use with new teammates, who are naturally curious about what shows they were in. If they want a tip ahead of the Oscars, Giolito had an opinion on the nominated movie "La La Land." "I thought it was OK," Giolito said. "I know it has gotten a lot of praise, but I've seen musicals better than that." Perhaps Giolito's hot take was understandable. The film is about Hollywood. Baseball always has been more his thing.

White Sox prospect Zack Burdi lucked into watching Mark Buehrle's perfect game Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | February 23, 2017 White Sox pitching prospect Zack Burdi didn’t realize how lucky he was when he arrived at his suite for a Sox game when he was 14 years old. His friend’s father was a rep for a beer company that owned the suite, and his annual invitation for tickets happened to fall on July 23, 2009, Burdi said. As Mark Buehrle carried his perfect game into the fourth and then fifth innings, Burdi began to understand his good fortune. "You don’t really grasp how special the moment you're in is until that fifth, sixth, seventh, where everyone in the stadium can feel (it)," Burdi said. "There’s passion on the field, but within the stands there’s so much want and energy for it to happen. Just being there and feeling that electric moment was pretty special." The Sox drafted Burdi, who is from Downers Grove, in the first round over the summer, and the potential future closer has joined the club this spring for major-league camp at Camelback Ranch. On Thursday, after the Sox announced they would retire Buehrle's No. 56 this summer at Guaranteed Rate Field, Burdi reminisced about attending just the second perfect game in team history. Burdi said Dewayne Wise’s catch to rob a ninth-inning home run was "the most memorable."

"That was insane because even to a little kid, you know what the sport is, you know a play like that in that moment is something that's once in a lifetime," Burdi said. "It’s something I’m sure he’ll never forget, something that me and my buddies and fans for sure won’t forget." Burdi wasn’t the only current Sox player in attendance for the game. Upon seeing photos of the game in the hallway at Camelback Ranch earlier this spring, Sox right-hander James Shields reminded reporters he was on the Rays' bench for the game.

White Sox to retire Mark Buehrle's No. 56 July 23, 2009: Mark Buehrle's perfect day Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | February 23, 2017 When White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper received a text message from former Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle on opening day in Oakland last year, Cooper asked Buehrle if he wanted to return to pitch for the South Siders. "He says something to the effect of, 'You have guys that outdo me now,'" Cooper said. "I said, 'I'm not so sure about that.'" Some fans had hoped in recent years that one of the most popular players in club history one day would return to pitch for the Sox, but when he comes back this year it will be for a special tribute. The Sox will retire Buehrle's jersey No. 56 on June 24 to honor the left-hander who celebrated a no-hitter, a perfect game and a World Series title with the team. Buehrle, 37, pitched 16 seasons in the majors, including 12 for the Sox, and was a five-time American League All-Star. During his time in Chicago, he was 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA, 27 complete games, eight shutouts and 1,396 strikeouts over 390 appearances. "Everybody in every sport is enamored with velocity, and he was the opposite of that," Cooper said. "He did it first by location, second movement, three changing speeds. … "Nothing bothered him. He was the same every day, on and off the field. Steady performer, steady guy. He maybe shook off (a pitch call) eight times in 10 years. What that tells you is 'I have confidence, belief and conviction behind the pitch.'" Sox pitching coach Don Cooper on Mark Buehrle: 'He taught me a lot' Buehrle pitched his no-hitter April 18, 2007 and his perfect game July 23, 2009. During the Sox's run to the 2005 World Series championship, he made four appearances, pitching a complete game in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series and recording the save in the 14th inning of Game 3 of the World Series. The latter accomplishment, legend has it, came after a beer or two. Cooper said Thursday he still gets chills when he thinks about the perfect game and the emotion Buehrle displayed. Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf called Buehrle "one of the most accomplished pitchers in franchise history" in a statement. "Mark carried himself with class and professionalism throughout his career, and his popularity … is very well deserved," Reinsdorf said. "Although a very humble person, he certainly showed a flair for the dramatic on the mound. …" The Sox drafted Buehrle in the 38th round in 1998, and he made his major-league debut in 2000. From 2001 to 2014, he topped the 200-inning mark every year, a streak that stopped in his final season when

he threw 1982/3 innings for the Blue Jays in 2015. And he pitched his games at such a rapid pace that Cooper said you could "set your dinner reservations because it's going to be quick." Flashback: 2005 White Sox win World Series A look back at the run in the playoffs by the White Sox: From winning the AL Central to the World Series in 2005. "The next person you find that says he wasn't a great teammate, wasn't a great competitor, a great pitcher, will be the first person you'll find that says those things," Sox executive vice president Ken Williams said. "He did a lot of winning (214-160 overall), and he did it with such a class and grace. In all the years we were together, the only issues I ever had with him concerned rain delays and tarps and him sliding on them." Buehrle pitched for the Marlins in 2012 and his final three seasons with the Blue Jays. He never officially announced his retirement but didn't sign with a team for 2016. "He's enjoying his retirement, enjoying his family, his kids, which are important to him, his house, his farm, his hunting, all of that stuff," Cooper said. Buehrle is the 12th player to have his number retired by the Sox. He will join former teammates Paul Konerko and Frank Thomas to be so honored. Tickets for the game, during which fans will receive a commemorative pin, will go on sale March 3 at whitesox.com.

Anderson’s plate discipline will look better, Renteria said Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times | February 23, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. – Tim Anderson is only 23 and not even a full season under his belt, but with so many more young prospects with high profiles moving about White Sox camp, he doesn’t seem like a kid any more. It won’t be long before he gets talked about as a leader. After all, he figures to be one of the Sox top players, at the premium position of shortstop and with a productive bat and speed as well. And he’s getting more comfortable with his place in the clubhouse. “I’m more a leader example, not a very talkative guy but I go out and play with a lot of energy, with my hair on fire,’’ Anderson said Thursday. “Hopefully they can follow my lead.’’ Anderson, who batted .283 with a .306 on-base percentage and nine homers in 99 games in 2016, said he is focusing on hitting the ball up the middle and taking it to the right side. “I feel like I stay through a lot of balls when I go that way,’’ he said. “Let that pull side just be reaction.’’ With 117 strikeouts and only 13 walks over 431 plate appearances, some would like to see more plate discipline. Manager Rick Renteria sees that coming. “As he continues to show that he’s capable of striking the ball in the zone, he’s going to show better plate discipline,’’ Renteria said. “As the season progressed he showed better plate discipline toward the end. “It’s just a matter of time, more plate appearances, more at-bats. I think the story isn’t quite written yet in terms of Timmy Anderson and who he is as a hitter.’’ Trainer’s room

Todd Frazier’s left oblique was feeling better, Renteria said. “He’s actually feeling good today,’’ Renteria said. “Those side issues, muscular issues, oblique issues, they could be a pain in the rear, but it depends on the severity of those types of injuries. Right now it’s just a mild soreness, so we’re not concerned about it too much.” Rodon still taking it slow Left-hander Carlos Rodon, easing into spring training with a lighter workload will throw long toss Friday, Renteria said. But he wasn’t saying when Rodon’s first bullpen session will be. “I don’t want to give you specific date, but he feels good and he’ll be out there soon,’’ Renteria said. “He’s extending and he feels good.’’ Witnessing history White Sox first-round draft choice Zack Burdi, of Downers Grove, attended Mark Buehrle’s perfect game July 23, 2009 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Thanks to a family friend, Burdi watched it from the right-field suites. “I just remember the atmosphere, not really knowing what was going on until the fourth or fifth inning,’’ said Burdi, who was 14 at the time. “You don’t really grasp how special the moment you’re in until that fifth, sixth, seventh, where everyone in the stadium can feel how much — there’s passion on the field but within the stands there’s so much want and energy for it to happen.’’ Former Devil Ray James Shields was also there, on the top step of the visitors dugout. He called Dewayne Wise’s perfecto-saving catch the best catch he has ever seen. Still a mystery Renteria still hasn’t named a starting pitcher for the Cactus League opener Saturday. “Talk to me [Friday],’’ he said. Carson Fulmer is one possibility.

Rowand doing his part to make White Sox good again Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times | February 23, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — That moment of moments for White Sox fans, and for the players involved, as well — the World Series celebration in Houston after the Sox swept the Astros in four games in October 2005 — forever will be fixed in Aaron Rowand’s mind. “We looked like a bunch of schoolgirls after winning a volleyball game,’’ Rowand said at the Sox’ spring-training facility Thursday. “There were tears, high fives and hugs. And it was real.’’ That was 12 years ago, and since then, the Sox have participated in one — count it, one — postseason appearance. Rowand, the center fielder who crashed into walls for that team and who now serves as the Sox’ coordinator for baserunning and outfield play, is here to do his part to change all that. “This club has veteran leadership and a lot of young talent coming through, pitching- and position-player-wise,’’ Rowand said. “A very good core group of young players that will put this organization on the track

it wants to be on. When you have a leader like [first-year manager] Rick Renteria, he inspires people. I can’t say enough about what he’s already done to bring this group together. And it’s only going to get better the longer he’s here. He’s going to do a great job. He already is.’’ Rowand echoes what so many others are saying here about the things Renteria is doing to bond players in camp. Rowand says unity is key and vastly underrated. In fact, the tightness of the 2005 team is what still stands out to him. “Just how close we were as a group, that’s what was so special about that team,’’ said Rowand, who played five of his 11 seasons with the Sox. “Taking home that trophy was a big deal and what everybody sees. What they don’t see is how close we were as a unit and how much we cared about each other. We not only spent all our time together on the field but away from each other. That team was about as tight as tight gets.’’ The 2005 team is close to this day, and that kind of chemistry translated into better baseball, Rowand insisted. “There was a lot of selfless play,’’ he said. “Nobody cared how [statistics], we just knew if we played together, backed up our teammates, the numbers would be there at the end of the year. It was a group of guys who bought into winning.’’ Rowand got a taste of being on the manager’s side during the Arizona Fall League with the Glendale Desert Dogs, a mix of young players from the Sox, Phillies, Dodgers and Astros farm systems. Was that the beginning of the grooming of a manager? “Maybe when my kids get older,’’ Rowand, 39, said. “My son is in sixth grade, so it’s important for me to be around them. I wouldn’t rule it out, but honestly, I don’t have any agenda for what I want to do.’’ Courtney Hawkins, for one, can see it happening. “He was a player, so he was like one of the guys as a manager, but he knows the game and he had our respect,’’ said Hawkins, a 2012 first-round draft choice who played for the Desert Dogs. “I feel like that was a steppingstone for him. He was great at it.’’ “It was a great learning experience,’’ Rowand said. “The baseball part of it is easy, but when you manage, you have to manage people, too. “I’m a lighthearted guy. I love having a good time on the field, in the dugout and in the clubhouse. But there is a time to play and a time to do things the right way. I take the same approach as a coach I did as a player.’’

White Sox to retire Mark Buehrle’s number Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times | February 23, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox announced Thursday they will retire Mark Buehrle’s No. 56 jersey during a ceremony before the game June 24 against the Athletics. One of the most popular and successful players to wear a Sox -uniform, the left-hander will be the 11th Sox, along with Jackie Robinson, to have his number retired. “Mark Buehrle is one of the most accomplished pitchers in franchise history,” chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “Mark carried himself with class and professionalism throughout his career, and his popularity with staff, teammates and Sox fans is very well deserved.”

Drafted by the Sox in the 38th round in 1998, Buehrle made his debut in 2000 and went on to become a four-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and World Series champion. During his career with the Sox, he went 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA and 27 complete games in 365 starts. Buehrle ranks fourth among franchise leaders in strikeouts, starts and quality starts and is sixth in wins. After the Sox didn’t -re-sign him in 2011, Buehrle signed a four-year, $58 million deal with the Marlins, pitched one season in Miami and three in Toronto. He led the American League in complete games in his last season. Buehrle quite possibly ranks as pitching coach Don Cooper’s favorite pitcher he has worked with. Buehrle worked fast and excelled with an upper-80s fastball. “He did it first by location, second movement, three changing speeds,” Cooper said. “And nothing bothered him.” Buehrle made four appearances, including three starts, for the Sox’ 2005 World Series champs in the postseason. “Mark is one of my favorite people, and that is saying a lot,” said Ozzie Guillen, manager of the 2005 team. “He was the best teammate ever. Everyone loved this man. -Everyone.” Buehrle earned a win and a save in the Fall Classic. He hurled the 16th no-hitter in club history on April 18, 2007, against the Rangers and the franchise’s second perfect game on July 23, 2009, against the Rays. Buehrle remained popular after he left the club. Many fans remained hopeful he would somehow make his way back to pitch before retiring. Cooper even discussed the possibility, although the seriousness of the talk is not known. “On Opening Day last year, he sent a [text] message,” Cooper said. “We’re sitting on the bench in Oakland, and I sent it back and I said, ‘You want to come back? You want to make a comeback?’ And he says something to the effect of, ‘You’ve got guys that outdo me now.’ I said ‘I’m not so sure about that.’ “We talk from time to time, and now he’s enjoying his retirement, enjoying his family, his kids, which are important to him, and enjoying his house, his farm, his hunting, all of that stuff. So wish him all nothing but the best.’’ All fans in attendance June 24 will receive a specially designed No. 56 pin. “A standout on the field and a stand-up teammate in the clubhouse, it is our honor to retire Mark Buehrle’s No. 56 and to welcome him into the legendary class of all-time White Sox greats,” Reinsdorf said.

RICK RENTERIA: WHITE SOX NOT OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT TODD FRAZIER'S INJURY By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 23, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- They plan to stay vigilant, but the White Sox say Todd Frazier's left oblique injury isn't severe. A day after he said Frazier is day to day with what he described as a left oblique strain, manager Rick Renteria said the third baseman has improved. "He's actually feeling good today, Renteria said. "Our purpose was to hold him back a little bit. Those side issues, muscular issues, oblique issues, they could be a pain in the rear, but it depends on the severity of those types of injuries. Right now it's just a mild soreness, so we're not concerned about it too much."

Renteria also said outfielder Charlie Tilson has shown some improvement. The hope is Tilson, who is expected to be sidelined for 10 days with a stress reaction in his right foot, could start limited activities on Friday. Renteria also suggested Carlos Rodon could participate in his first bullpen session shortly. Rodon only began to play catch last Friday and hasn't pitched off the mound yet in camp. "He feels good and he'll be out there soon," Renteria said. "He's extending and he feels good. He's holding it back a little bit."

ZACK BURDI: MARK BUEHRLE'S PERFECT GAME WAS 'ELECTRIC MOMENT' By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 23, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — Even though he was only 14, Zack Burdi remembers all the emotions he experienced when he went to Mark Buehrle's perfect game. The White Sox prospect, who grew up in Downers Grove, Ill., said Thursday afternoon he could recall how it felt to be at then-U.S. Cellular Field on July 23, 2009 when Buehrle set down all 27 Tampa Bay Rays hitters in order. Burdi's friend's father had access to a company suite and as the game wore on the crowd become increasingly invested in the performance. "I just remember the atmosphere, not really knowing what was going on until the fourth or fifth inning," Burdi said. "(As a kid) you don't really grasp how special the moment is you're in until that fifth, sixth, seventh, where everyone in the stadium can feel how much — there's passion on the field but within the stands there's so much want and energy for it to happen. I think just being there and feeling that electric moment was pretty special." The White Sox announced on Thursday they will retire Buerhle's number 56 before a June 24 contest against the Oakland A's at Guaranteed Rate Field. Along with Paul Konerko, Buehrle was already one of Burdi's favorite players. Burdi — who was taken by the White Sox with the 26th pick in the 2016 amateur draft — was 10 when the White Sox won 11 straight postseason games en route to capturing the first World Series title in Chicago in 88 years. But being in person for Buehrle's perfecto only strengthened his love. The highlight of course was when Dwayne Wise — a late defensive replacement — soared through the air in the ninth inning to rob Gabe Kapler of extra bases at the left-center field fence. The moment has forever been memorialized in Chicago as the phrase "The Catch" adorns the top of the fence in the spot where Wise collided with the wall. "That's probably the most memorable," Burdi said. "That was insane because even to a little kid, you know what the sport is, you know a play like that in that moment is something that's once-in-a-lifetime. It's something I'm sure he'll never forget, something that me and my buddies and fans for sure won't forget."

WHITE SOX REBUILD OFFERS 'LEEWAY' FOR LUCAS GIOLITO AFTER FRUSTRATING 2016 SEASON By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 23, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Lucas Giolito knows if he had performed better in 2016 he wouldn’t have endured the season from travel hell. Instead, the top pitching prospect in baseball struggled with consistency in the big leagues and the Washington Nationals constantly shuffled him around. Giolito — one of three pitchers acquired in the

Adam Eaton trade in December and MLB.com’s 11th-ranked prospect — was moved eight different times throughout the Nationals organization last season. More irritated by his inability to pitch well for a team in a pennant race, the tall right-hander understands why he spent much of last season on the go. But it’s also one of the main reasons why Giolito, who is likely to begin the 2017 season in the starting rotation at Triple-A Charlotte, is excited for a fresh start with the White Sox. “It was frustrating because I knew if you get up there and pitch well I can stay, but I didn’t,” Giolito said. “I wanted to help the team win. That’s really all I wanted to do. And all my starts, aside from my debut, which got cut short by the rain, I did not give the team a chance to win. So rightfully so I got sent down. But yeah, it’s frustrating. “At the same time, with this club I know there might be a little more leeway. I know they might allow younger guys more time to settle in, at least from what I’ve seen.” The White Sox have made no secret about their plans to rebuild. Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech are four of the seven prospects acquired in December whom the White Sox hope to build around. General manager Rick Hahn has made it increasingly clear that player development is the team’s top priority. “At this point going forward we’re really not going to have anyone in Chicago until they’ve answered any questions we’ve had for them at the minor league level and we feel they’re ready to succeed,” Hahn said last month at SoxFest. And once those players arrive, they’ll be given ample opportunities to prove whether or not they belong. The routine will be normal with regular turns in the rotation rather than spot starts here and there. The team’s mindset is in stark contrast with Washington, which has been in win-now mode for the past few seasons. Whenever the Nationals called upon Giolito, who hadn’t pitched above Double-A Harrisburg before last June, they needed him to fill in for a rotation that only had three pitchers make more than 25 starts. Giolito pitched four scoreless innings in a rain-shortened MLB debut on June 28 and then didn’t pitch again until July 7. With Stephen Strasburg back in the rotation, the Nationals then sent Giolito to Single-A Hagerstown so he could get another turn before the All-Star break. Then it was on to Triple-A Syracuse for one start and back to Washington for another. After he struggled in that outing, Giolito spent a month at Syracuse, returned to the bigs to struggle again on Aug. 28 against Colorado, and went back to Triple-A for one more. Finally, Giolito returned to Washington on Sept. 7 and stayed the rest of the season, though he only pitched twice in a month. In six big league games (four starts), Giolito had a 6.75 ERA. The up-and-down nature of Giolito’s season prompted MLB.com’s Jim Callis to write: “I also don't think the Nationals handled him very well last season, calling him to Washington on five separate occasions but never letting him take consecutive turns in the rotation, as well as having him change teams nine times.” Giolito remembers a couple of small planes back and forth from Washington to Syracuse. He also drove a few times because it was so close. “All sorts of ways of moving around,” he said.

It’s also treatment that’s normally reserved for a Four-A pitcher who has options to burn rather than a top prospect trying to find stability. Giolito — who was drafted 16th overall in the 2012 draft out of high school — thought some of his struggles were related to poor mechanics and getting away from what had made him successful. The 6-foot-6 pitcher said he tried to simplify his mechanics this winter in order to allow the ball to leave his hand more freely and easily. Giolito is pleased with the results so far. His main goals early in camp have been commanding his fastball low and away to right-hander hitters and learning how to throw his curveball for a called strike. “It’s coming out very good,” Giolito said. “Much better than last year. I made a lot of positive changes. “The time in the big leagues was definitely fun. But going up and down a lot can be like a grind. Getting on the plane, doing this, you’re pitching the next day. You have to be able to try and stay level headed and focus on the next day or task at hand. But when you’re moving around a lot it can be difficult.”

WHITE SOX WILL RETIRE MARK BUEHRLE'S NUMBER IN JUNE By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | February 23, 2017 GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mark Buehrle apparently has retired after all. The longtime White Sox pitcher, who never officially called it quits, will have his No. 56 retired on June 24. Buehrle, who won 161 games and completed at least 200 innings in 11 straight seasons for the White Sox, last pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015. The White Sox will honor their former ace — he's the 12th player in franchise history to have his number retired — before they host the Oakland A's at 1:10 p.m. in June. Buehrle was a human highlight reel over his 12 seasons with the White Sox. Whether it was his fancy glovework, a perfect game, his no-hitter or recording a save in the 14th inning of Game 3 of the 2005 World Series, Buehrle was a South Side legend. "Mark Buehrle is one of the most accomplished pitchers in franchise history," White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "Mark carried himself with class and professionalism throughout his career, and his popularity with staff, teammates and Sox fans is very well deserved. Although a very humble person, he certainly showed a flair for the dramatic on the mound, from a no-hitter to an unforgettable perfect game to a World Series title. A standout on the field and a standup teammate in the clubhouse, it is our honor to retire Mark Buehrle’s No. 56 and to welcome him into the legendary class of all-time White Sox greats." The White Sox selected Buehrle in the 38th round of the 1998 amateur draft and he debuted in 2000, going 4-1 in 28 games (three starts). Buehrle also earned four All-Star nods while with the team (five overall) and was a three-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner (four overall). He also won two of three starts during the team's 2005 World Series run as the team snapped an 88-year championship drought. "Mark is one of my favorite people and that is saying a lot," former manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He was the best teammate ever. Everyone loved this man. Everyone." Buehrle signed a four-year, $58-million deal with the Miami Marlins ahead of the 2012 season and was later traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched 200 innings in 14 consecutive seasons before falling four outs shy of the feat in his final campaign (2015). Though Buehrle never officially retired, he hasn’t pursued pitching for another team since.

Pitching coach Don Cooper said he broached the subject with Buehrle last April, asking him if he wanted to try a comeback with the White Sox. But Cooper said he sensed that Buehrle was ready for retirement and to spend time with his family. “There’s a text message from him and I sent it back and I said, ‘You want to come back?’” Cooper said. “He says something to the effect of, ‘You’ve got guys that outdo me now.’ I said ‘I’m not so sure about that.’ “We talk from time to time and I think now he’s enjoying his retirement, enjoying his family, his kids, which are important to him, enjoying his house, his farm, his hunting, all of that staff. Obviously we wish him all nothing but the best.”

White Sox to retire Mark Buehrle's No. 56 in June ESPN.com | February 23, 2017 The Chicago White Sox will honor former pitcher Mark Buehrle on June 24 by retiring his No. 56 jersey during a special tribute before first pitch, the team announced Thursday. Buehrle will be the 12th player whose number the White Sox have retired. All fans in attendance at the game will receive a specially designed No. 56 pin. "A standout on the field and a standup teammate in the clubhouse, it is our honor to retire Mark Buehrle's No. 56." White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. Buehrle pitched for the White Sox for 12 of his 16 years in the majors, being named an All-Star four times. The left-hander ranks sixth in club history with 161 wins. Buehrle threw a perfect game for the White Sox on July 23, 2009.

Chicago White Sox to retire Buehrle's No. 56 Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | February 23, 2017 As the Chicago White Sox ease into what's expected to be a major rebuilding project, crowds at Guaranteed Rate Field are likely to be on the small side this season. On June 24, however, the seats are going to be full. The Sox on Thursday announced they'll retire starting pitcher Mark Buehrle's No. 56 before a June 24 game against the Oakland Athletics. A popular, productive workhorse starter, Buehrle pitched for the White Sox from 2000-11, and the left-hander was 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA and 27 complete games over his career on the South Side. "Mark Buehrle is one of the most accomplished pitchers in franchise history," Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "Mark carried himself with class and professionalism throughout his career and his popularity with staff, teammates and Sox fans is very well deserved. "Although a very humble person, he certainly showed a flair for the dramatic on the mound, from a no-hitter to an unforgettable perfect game to a World Series title. A standout on the field and a standup teammate in the clubhouse, it is our honor to retire Mark Buehrle's No. 56 and to welcome him into the legendary class of all-time White Sox greats." Buehrle did not pitch last season and officially is retired. His last appearance at Guaranteed Rate Field (formerly U.S. Cellular Field) was July 6, 2015, when he started for the Toronto Blue Jays. As expected, he was well received by the home crowd.

"I'd be lying to say it wasn't getting me a little more amped up than I should have been," Buehrle said after that game. "Running out to the bullpen, they're kind of cheering and coming in. Throughout the game, it was just special. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. Outstanding feeling." Buehrle will be the 12th player in White Sox history to have his number retired. Former teammate and close friend Paul Konerko was the most recent Sox player to be honored, on May 23, 2015. Buehrle and Konerko teamed up to make one of the greatest defensive plays in Sox history. On April 5, 2010, the White Sox were playing the Cleveland Indians at the Cell on Opening Day and Lou Marson hit a hard grounder up the middle. Buehrle kicked at the ball, like he frequently did, and it rolled into foul territory in front of first base. Pouncing on the ball with his glove, Buehrle flipped it between his legs with his back toward first base and Konerko made a barehanded catch to retire Marson. On his lengthy list of accomplishments, Buehrle's perfect game against Tampa Bay at the Cell on July 23, 2009 stands at the top. The St. Charles, Missouri, native also won both of his starts in the 2005 postseason and saved Game 3 of the World Series.

White Sox to retire Mark Buehrle's number Jesse Yomtov / USA TODAY Sports | Feb. 23, 2017 The Chicago White Sox announced Thursday that the club would be retiring Mark Buehrle's No. 56 in a ceremony on June 24. Buehrle was one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball during his 12 seasons with the White Sox, winning 161 games with a 3.81 ERA in 390 games. He was a key part of the White Sox team that won the World Series in 2005, the club's first championship since 1917. He last pitched in 2015. "Mark carried himself with class and professionalism throughout his career, and his popularity with staff, teammates and Sox fans is very well deserved," White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said. "Although a very humble person, he certainly showed a flair for the dramatic on the mound." A four-time All-Star with the White Sox, Buehrle signed with the Marlins after the 2011 season and was later traded to the Blue Jays, where he was an All-Star in 2014. Buehrle threw at least 200 innings every season from 2001-2014 and his ERA was under 4.00 in 10 of those 14 seasons. The lefty threw a no-hitter in 2007 and a perfect game in 2009, which was famous for Dewayne Wise's stunning catch in the ninth inning.