Online Chat Transcript with Mark Buehrle
Wednesday, September 27, 2001
At whitesox.com website

MODERATOR: Welcome to a chat with Mark Buehrle at whitesox.com! Mark is here and we are going to start now.
tarwf: Who is the player that you most connect with on the team and why?
MARK BUEHRLE: Matt Ginter and Dan Wright because I came up through the minor leagues with them.
IrishGirl586: What do you enjoy doing in your free time away from baseball?
MB: I enjoy hunting and fishing, and relaxing. I'll take some time off and then eventually start working out for next year.
WhiSoxgurl: Who started the cartoon lunch bag thing that rookies have to carry?
MB: Foulke and Howry have carried on that tradition, but I think Robin Ventura started it a few years ago.
mmahoney123: Do you like Rocky Biddle's sideburns?
MB: Yes, if I could grow that much facial hair, I would probably grow his.
buehrlefan1: Hi Mark, You are an exceptional pitcher, your persistence is admirable, and your smile can light up a ballpark (even in St. Pete when
the power goes out ;)). What players/coaches/family members inspired you the most when you were growing up?
MB: My parents, because I got cut from my freshman/sophomore team in high school and they talked me into going back out my junior year.
WhiSoxgurl: Besides baseball, what's your favorite sport?
MB: Football and hockey. I'm a fan of the St. Louis Blues and the Rams.
MissLucky25: What is your favorite city to play in besides the ones in Missouri?
MB: Anaheim because of the waterfall in center field, and also Seattle because it's a new ballpark and the fans enjoy good baseball.
WhiSoxgurl: Do you have any rituals that you do before going out to the mound?
MB: I get a good night's rest before. I come in and look over film of the hitters right before I go out there.
MarkP8867: Mark, do you like country music?
MB: Yes, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
CFstud30: How do you feel when you see people wearing your jersey at games?
MB: Mostly, those people are my family.
miamicreature: Have you talked to David Wells about his possible return next year?
MB: I've talked to him a couple times. But nothing has come up about him coming back here or even to baseball next year.
miamicreature: So far, what is the highlight of your young career?
MB: Making it to the big leagues and having the success I'm having right now.
miamicreature: What players on the team have given you great advice during the season?
MB: David Wells and Cal Eldred when they were here.
MarkP8867: How many brothers and sisters do you have?
MB: I have two older brothers and a sister.
boobiebobby: If you had to leave the Sox for some reason or got traded where would you want to go (i hope that you don't get traded though)
MB: St. Louis because it's my hometown.
filwsox2: What do you think of the kind of rivalry that the Sox have against the Cubs? Or is it more of a fan thing?
MB: It's more of a fan thing, but it motivates us to play better because we know it's a state rival.
MissLucky25: Who is the one hitter you dread facing?
MB: Ichiro Suzuki for getting on base, and Juan Gonzalez for power.
kazichiro: Mark, how did you feel with the loss of Baldwin? Is it good for the team? How do you think he will fare with the Dodgers? It doesn't look good now.
MB: It was a big loss because he was the vocal one, a clubhouse leader. He left some big shoes to fill. He's been throwing the ball pretty well lately, but is not getting much run support.
BuehrleRulezz: Hey mark, what would you be doing in college now if you couldn't play baseball?
MB: Probably being a firefighter or a cop. I always wanted to be one of them growing up. But I play baseball instead.
mmahoney123: How did you not make your high school team and end up playing for the White Sox?
MB: I don't know. I was about 4-foot-2 at the time. I hadn't matured yet. They must have thought there was somebody there better.
sox247: Who was your idle while growing up?
MB: Todd Worrell was my favorite, but so was pretty much every Cardinal player.
sox247: Who is your favorite catcher to pitch to?
MB: Any of them, they all call a good game.
miamicreature: How did the team react to the situation in New York two weeks ago, and what was the overall feeling on the bus ride home?
MB: Our reaction was just like everybody else's. We were in shock. The bus trip home didn't seem like 15 hours because we knew we were
getting out of New York.
MissLucky25: Do you have a girlfriend?
MB: Yes, but not married.
kazichiro: Do you think David [Wells] will have a strong season for the ChiSox next season? Strong as in, Roger Clemens strong?
MB: It's possible that he could. But I don't think anybody is going to have the success Roger's had this year for a while.
Clizzean: How do you feel about the Cardinals' chances in the post season?
MB: Good, they're playing very good ball at the time when you need to.
andyjohnson60137: Mark how good do you think the 2002 Whitesox will be?
MB: Good, we've got a lot of guys coming back from injury. There will be 40-45 guys trying out for a 25-man roster. There will be a lot of competition for not that many spots.
MODERATOR: We have time for just a couple more questions for Mark, then he has to head out to the field for pre-game workouts.
mmahoney123: Are you and your teammates glad to see the Cubs fall out of the playoffs?
MB: Personally I am because I grew up a Cardinals' fan. But as far as my teammates, I don't think it matters much to them.
mellllisssa: Do you have a serious girlfriend?
MB: Yes I do have a girlfriend.
mellllisssa: How long do you plan to play ball?
MB: As long as I stay healthy or I get around 40.
MissLucky25: What is your favorite part of playing in Chicago?
MB: It's a great city. It has a lot of different shops and great food.
filwsox2: What do you have to say about Barry Bonds, and his chance to break the home run record?
MB: Being a Cardinals' fan, I would like to see McGwire hang on to the record. But because Bonds is donating money from every home run to charity, I'd like to seem him hit a lot more.
Chamberlain: Who motivates you to play as hard as you do?
MB: Knowing that there's a million kids out there who would love to be doing the same thing I'm doing.
MB: Thanks for logging on today. I look forward to seeing you at Comiskey Park down the road.
MODERATOR: Thanks Mark, and thanks to all who submitted questions. Stay tuned to whitesox.com for future chats.