Wilson Alvarez, then 22, threw a no-hitter for the Chicago White Sox in 1991 and became a very successful pitcher on the South Side for the next 5½ seasons.
Joe Cowley fired a no-no for the White Sox in 1986, then disappeared in Philadelphia the following summer and was finished for good by the end of '87.
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| He's a starter. He's a lefty. He's good. He's going to be making loads of cash. (US Presswire) |
The only two things we know for certain about his future are:
1. He will be one of the hottest free agents on the market this winter, which will make him an exceptionally rich man.
2. Everybody -- I mean everybody -- is assuming he's already picking out a housing upgrade in his native St. Louis, which will allow him to live like a king after he signs with the Cardinals.
To which Buehrle replies: "Not really. I want to stay here in Chicago. For me, I'm the type of guy who, it's nice to get recognized and all when you go out, but in Chicago you can't go anywhere without being recognized.
"I go home to St. Louis after the season to get away from it. If I played there year-round, I couldn't do that.
"And I'm not moving to Florida."
A politician, he's not. That Buehrle continues to publicly say he prefers to stay in Chicago with negotiations on hiatus until after the season reveals a lot about the man. Such as, he would make a lousy negotiator.
Generally speaking, impending free agents, like world travelers, rarely meet a city they don't like. Barry Zito last summer played the game masterfully. Oakland? Love to come back! Chicago? Greeeaat city! New York? Love it! Saskatchewan? Sounds like it could be fun!
Buehrle?
