HR0571 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0571 LRB096 13581 GRL 28341 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox for pitching a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 23, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Mark Buehrle became only the 18th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to throw a perfect game and the first member of the White Sox to pitch a perfect game since Charlie Robertson in 1922; and

WHEREAS, By pitching a perfect game, Mark Buehrle joins an elite class of pitchers that spans the ages and includes some of the all-time baseball greats, including John Richmond of the Worcester Brown Stockings, John Ward of the Providence Giants, Cy Young of the Boston Pilgrims, Addie Joss of the Cleveland Indians, Charlie Robertson of the Chicago White Sox, Don Larsen of the New York Yankees, Jim Bunning of the Philadelphia Phillies, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Catfish Hunter of the Oakland Athletics, Len Barker of the Cleveland Indians, Mike Witt of the California Angels, Tom Browning of the Cincinnati Reds, Dennis Martinez of the Montreal Expos, Kenny Rogers of the Texas Rangers, David Wells of the New York Yankees, David Cone of the New York Yankees, and Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks; and

WHEREAS, Mark Buehrle's perfect game led the Sox to a 5-0 victory; it was the second no-hitter of his career; and

WHEREAS, Mark Buehrle threw 76 of his 116 pitches for strikes and struck out 6 of the hitters he faced in a game that lasted only 2 hours and 3 minutes; and

WHEREAS, Buehrle's perfect game was an amazing demonstration of team work as both offense and defense, including DeWayne Wise's astounding catch against the wall in the 9th inning, helped support Buehrle in his efforts; and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama called Buehrle's perfect game an unbelievable achievement and something that everyone will always remember; and

WHEREAS, On top of his perfect game and throughout his Major League Baseball career, Mark Buehrle has won a World Series, been named to four All-Star teams, and pitched two no-hitters; and

WHEREAS, Mark Buehrle's career continues to grow in success having recorded 133 wins, an ERA of 3.76, and 1,159 batters struck out to date; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox on his perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays and wish him continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mark Buehrle with our congratulations.