MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-HOOVER – Former Barons pitcher Mark Buehrle earned his first Gold Glove Tuesday when
Major League Baseball announced the American League recipients of the award.


Buehrle, who pitched the for the Barons in 2000, led all American League pitchers in 2009 with eight pickoffs, 55 total chances and 41 assists. He also tied for the A.L. lead by assisting with five double plays while committing just one error.


The southpaw, who tossed the 18th perfect game in Major League Baseball history on July 23
against the Tampa Bay Rays, is the first former Baron to win a Gold Glove since Aaron Rowand
did the job as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007. He is just the fourth former Baron in the White Sox era (since 1986) to win a Gold Glove, joining Rowand, Mike Cameron (2006, 03, 01) and Robin Ventura (99, 98, 96, 93, 92, 91) in the exclusive club.


Buehrle pitched for the Barons in 2000, going 8-4 with a 2.27 ERA in 16 starts. His efforts helped guide the Barons to a 43-27 first-half record, and the team's first of eight playoff appearances this decade.


Buehrle's 2.28 ERA placed him third in the Southern League among pitchers who tossed at least 112.0 innings. He threw 119.2 innings while striking out 118 batters and walking just 17 before being promoted to the White Sox on July 16 of that season.


The American League Rookie of the Year will be announced on Monday, November 16. Former
Barons shortstop, Gordon Beckham is one of the favorites in the race after hitting .270 with 28 doubles, 14 home runs and 63 RBI in 104 games with the big league club. Beckham was named
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year on October 20.