Zack Burdi: Mark Buehrle's perfect game was ‘electric moment'

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — Even though he was only 14, Zack Burdi remembers all the emotions he experienced when he went to Mark Buehrle's perfect game.

The White Sox prospect, who grew up in Downers Grove, Ill., said Thursday afternoon he could recall how it felt to be at then-U.S. Cellular Field on July 23, 2009 when Buehrle set down all 27 Tampa Bay Rays hitters in order. Burdi's friend's father had access to a company suite and as the game wore on the crowd become increasingly invested in the performance.

"I just remember the atmosphere, not really knowing what was going on until the fourth or fifth inning," Burdi said. "(As a kid) you don't really grasp how special the moment is you're in until that fifth, sixth, seventh, where everyone in the stadium can feel how much — there's passion on the field but within the stands there's so much want and energy for it to happen. I think just being there and feeling that electric moment was pretty special."

[RELATED: White Sox will retire Mark Buehrle's number in June]

The White Sox announced on Thursday they will retire Buerhle's number 56 before a June 24 contest against the Oakland A's at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Along with Paul Konerko, Buehrle was already one of Burdi's favorite players. Burdi — who was taken by the White Sox with the 26th pick in the 2016 amateur draft — was 10 when the White Sox won 11 straight postseason games en route to capturing the first World Series title in Chicago in 88 years. 

But being in person for Buehrle's perfecto only strengthened his love. The highlight of course was when Dwayne Wise — a late defensive replacement — soared through the air in the ninth inning to rob Gabe Kapler of extra bases at the left-center field fence. The moment has forever been memorialized in Chicago as the phrase "The Catch" adorns the top of the fence in the spot where Wise collided with the wall.

"That's probably the most memorable," Burdi said. "That was insane because even to a little kid, you know what the sport is, you know a play like that in that moment is something that's once-in-a-lifetime. It's something I'm sure he'll never forget, something that me and my buddies and fans for sure won't forget."

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