Buehrle, 31, becomes the first pitcher in major-league history with multiple Gold Glove Awards and no-hitters to his credit. He and left-hander Jim Kaat, who also won in consecutive seasons (1974-75), are the only White Sox pitchers to receive baseball’s most prestigious fielding award.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Buehrle led all major-league pitchers in 2010 with a career-high 11 pickoffs, the second-highest total by a Sox pitcher since at least 1952, and tied for the lead with a 1.000 fielding percentage (50 total chances). He also tied for second among American League pitchers by assisting on four double plays and ranked third with 46 assists. His 50 total chances were the most among AL pitchers who did not commit an error.
Since the beginning of the 2001 season, Buehrle leads all major-league pitchers with 74 pickoffs (29 more than Andy Pettitte) and ranks third with 551 total chances and 419 assists. Over his 11-year career with the White Sox, opponents have been successful on just 43.0 percent (46-107) of their stolen-base attempts, the second-lowest rate among active pitchers.
Buehrle also won the 2010 Fielding Bible Award for the second straight season, given to just one player at each position in either league. The award is voted on by a panel of 10 experts, including Peter Gammons and Bill James, and takes into account a pitcher’s ability to field his position as well as hold baserunners.
Source: mlb.com
Photo (author – Jacek Urbańczyk): Mark Buehrle