my Buehrle

White Sox won 8-6 against the Twins tonight with a GRAND SLAM from Uribe. I knew our playoff chances were long gone, but it didn't prevent the hurt I felt last night as the Twins drenched each other with champagne. I didn't want Minnesota to clinch on OUR turf. To top this off, the south paw pitcher Mark Buehrle reportedly said some poignant comments prior to Monday's game. So it didn't help that he was the losing pitcher and gave up 4 homers (including a 2-run homer to Hunter).

The media and Twins fans were eager to rub these comments in his face after Minnesota clinched the AL Central. However, Buehrle was misquoted.

From www.whitesox.com:
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
"If it comes down to it, give me any number I need to call and if they get past the first round, I'll call and apologize to everyone I need to," Buehrle said. "I'll call Minnesota, I'll call some radio station and apologize. If they lose in the first round, although it wasn't a big deal what I said, then they need to say something to me."

Buehrle, one of the more affable and straightforward players in the game, seemed both confused and annoyed Tuesday in regards to the renewed media attention concerning his comments in the visitors' clubhouse at the Metrodome. It was a natural television story Monday night, with the Twins pummeling the White Sox left-hander for four home runs in the American League Central-clinching victory.

Unfortunately for Buehrle, he was slightly misrepresented when his criticism of the Twins was introduced on ESPN's Baseball Tonight. It was an unnamed source in the article, not Buehrle, who stated of the Twins that "I'll be glad to sit back and watch them go one and done (in the playoffs). Our season ends Oct. 3 or whatever it is. So, they'll get an extra week in before they're done."

Buehrle was much more diplomatic, stating that the Twins had a chance with Johan Santana and Brad Radke, but upon looking at their roster, he couldn't see them getting past the first round. Those sentiments were echoed Tuesday, although Buehrle couldn't understand how his off-the-cuff commentary extended his 15 minutes of unwanted fame to 16 or 17 minutes.

"It's frustrating," Buehrle said. "Anyone can say what they want to say. I'm sure there are different opinions in both clubhouses. There are people on television and radio out there saying this team isn't going anywhere or this team is going to win. People don't seem to get upset with them. "
"This was one little thing and maybe it's because we play against them and I pitch against them. Maybe they think I'm talking crap and if we can't beat them, then some other team will beat them. Ask them at the beginning of the year what they think they are going to do. Are they going to get first place? If they say yes, that shows disrespect to us."

Truth be told, Buehrle has great appreciation for both the impressive accomplishments and the light side of the game. He tipped his hat to Ichiro in an earlier home contest when the Seattle right fielder knocked out his fourth hit against him, and jokingly offered to throw the ball to Minnesota right fielder Jacque Jones when he knocked out his first career hit against Buehrle.

On Monday night, Buehrle saluted the Twins and the dominance they have shown against the White Sox during the past three years. Those comments didn't get nearly as much play as his earlier statement, probably because they weren't quite as juicy. But Buehrle went as far as to call a local Chicago radio sports talk show Tuesday to explain what had been said, after he heard himself being talked about on the ride to work.

"It was written in (a Minnesota newspaper) after I said it that it's Billy Koch, Bob Howry, Keith Foulke and me," said Buehrle, referring to past White Sox players who have spoken out against the Twins. "I'm not talking crap. I just gave my opinion. "
"I didn't say anything. It's one man's opinion. I don't know what it is, but it's getting blown way out of proportion."

I don't think the Twins will go far in the playoffs and would love to see Buehrle avoid an apology.