For Mark Buehrle to receive a fitting salute Tuesday night in what might have been his final game with the White Sox, he had to cooperate on the mound.
And he did. After throwing seven scoreless innings, Buehrle found himself alone on the field before interim manager Don Cooper came out to hug him and pull him to a standing ovation.
That applause also came from the Sox dugout, where his teammates stayed to hug him before taking their defensive positions.
“It couldn’t have went any better,” said Cooper, who received a beer shower for his first victory as manager after the Sox held on to beat the Blue Jays 2-1.
Buehrle, 32, finished the 2011 season with a 13-11 record, and he reached the 200-inning mark for the 11th consecutive season.
“I guarantee I will wear a White Sox uniform again,” Buehrle deadpanned. “(Wednesday’s season finale) counts. That’s one day.
“After that, I don’t know. We’ll see what happens.”
Buehrle, who will complete a four-year, $56 million contract, is expected to be among the top free agent pitchers.
“This is all I’ve known,” Buehrle said of his 11 years with the Sox. “Deep down inside, I’d love to be back, but reality might sink in.”
The Sox could cut payroll and opt for a younger roster, which would affect Buehrle.
But for one game, Buehrle enjoyed having his pitching coach serve as manager.
Cooper quipped while Buehrle was warming up in the bullpen: “Hey, this is unbelievable. One career ending, and another one starting.”
More milestones: Despite spending three weeks on the 15-day disabled list, catcher A.J. Pierzynski surpassed the 1,000 mark for innings caught for the 10th consecutive season.
Adam Dunn, however, set a dubious franchise record by striking out three times to increase his season total to 177, surpassing Dave Nicholson’s previous record of 175 in 1963.
Unsettled forecasts: Cooper said infielder Omar Vizquel declined a chance to start in Wednesday’s season finale. Vizquel reiterated he wants to play next year and doused speculation he would join Ozzie Guillen with the Marlins.
“I think everybody has their own agendas,” Vizquel said. “… Obviously, I do want to play some more and if I could have a chance to stay in Chicago that would be great.”
Outfielder Carlos Quentin also expressed his desire to stay with the Sox.
“I know I’m a piece that could possibly be moved in the offseason,” said Quentin, who can become a free agent in 2013. “I’m happy playing for the White Sox, I’ll look forward to having a chance to come back.”
