I was lucky enough to watch Mark Buehrle's perfect game live on TV yesterday.  I didn't even realize until the seventh inning he had a perfect game going.  The Sox were up by five, things looked good and I was already thinking who Ozzie had available to come in from the pen for the eighth and ninth.

I finally realized in the top of the eighth that he not only had a no hitter going, he had a perfect game.  Wow.

Some thoughts on yesterday:

• My first thought was that this was a total team effort.  The number one pitcher on the team had to have help from the 23rd, 24th and 25th men on the roster to pull this off.  Ramon Castro, who caught it, Josh Fields who hit the grand slam to give him the run support and Dewayne Wise who made the sensational, perfecto saving catch in the top of the ninth.  That may tell you everything you need to know about this team.
• While no one will ever confuse Hawk Harrelson with Jack Buck, Hawk's raw emotion at the end of the game (Alexi.....Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes...HISTORY!) was pretty special.  With Hawk, it really does come from the heart.  MERCY!
• Congratulations to Sox broadcaster Steve Stone who participated in the first no hitter of his baseball career.
• Getting back to Castro for a moment, this was the first time he and Buehrle have worked together.  Does Ozzie go with a hot hand on Buhrle's next start which cuts into A.J.'s playing time?  Something for the post game show listeners to debate I suppose.
• I love how when a story like this happens to your team, all of the national guys suddenly become experts on your team.  Barry Larkin on MLB was gushing about how this Sox team has put it all together and how they wall be a face coming down the stretch.  Where were you a month ago Barry when everyone, well not everyone, had these guys selling off large parts of their roster for prospects?
• Lost in the excitement of an unbelievable finish was the fact that the Sox go to Detroit tied for first.  Many Sox fans didn't think this would be possible.
• Also lost in the excitement is the fact the Sox beat a very good team, at home, three out of four and were within two outs of a sweep. 
• Dewayne Wise will, at least temporarily, be back in the good graces of the fans.  The question you have to ask yourself is could BA have made that catch?  Maybe.  But the hard part of the catch was coming down with the ball and hanging on to it.  The other item is that Wise had just been inserted into the game.  Isn't that how it usually goes? Poor BA.  (The White Sox Blog)
• Give Joey Cora the credit for inserting Wise into the lineup.  He told Ozzie prior to the ninth inning he felt like he needed more coverage in the outfield.
• There is no telling what kind of effect this will have on the Sox from this point forward.  Buehrle had a no hitter in 2007 and we know how that season turned out.  We do know that thanks to Buehrle, the Sox go into a critical double header in Detroit with a fresh bullpen.  That's huge when you start Bartolo Colon.

Lightning Round

• Congrats to our buddy Rickhouse who was  a left field witness to history.  His partner, Bobby Stompy could only watch from the comfort of a local Chili's .  Either location beats a small apartment in Cleveland, WI (Tremendous Upside Potential)
• J-Rod says Mark Buehrle's achievement puts him in some rarefied air with some pretty heavy hitters. (Midwest Sports fans)
• While I share Rob's enthusiasm, I think he's giving Ozzie a little too much credit.  Luck does play a part in these things you know. (Can't Stop the Bleeding)
• Rays manager Joe Maddon is doing what he does best...taking Buehrle's perfecto against his team in stride.
• Mark Buehrle said after the game he would most likely buy his teammates gifts for their effort yesterday.  I wonder what Eric Cooper will be getting?
• Probably the happiest guy on the team next to Buehrle was Bobby Jenks who didn't have to come in to pitch the ninth.
• Having the POTUS be a huge fan of your team...priceless. (Midwest Sports Fans)
• Other Sox no nos.  My personal favorite? July 28, 1976, Blue Moon Odom and the late Francisco Barrios at Oakland, 2-1.  
• Those silly guys at the Serious Sports Network. (Serious Sports Network)