Not much has been written about Clay Buchholz in spring training. His performance in Florida has been somewhat below average, unliike those of Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. But Buchholz’ pitching this season will be very important as the Sox strive for redemption from 2011. Clay, who is probably the first player in major league history to have consecutive h’s in his name, has always been on the verge of startdom, but hasnever quite made it.
In his second start in the majors on September 1, 2007, Buchholz threw a no-hitter over the Orioles. He was only the third man since 1900 to throw one in his first or second start, and the only Sox rookie to do so. Forty-five years ago Billy Rohr became a folk hero by almost doing it in his first start, but with all due respect to Rohr, Buchholz actually got his no-hitter The performance was one of those that the Sox rode on to a pennant and World Series, though Clay was not on the postseason roster.
The “sophomore jinx” is not mentioned much anymore, but it hit Buchholz hard in 2008. In May he tore a fingernail, and had to return to Pawtucket to recuperate. Recalled on July 11, he did not win a game the rest of the year. His 08 stats were awful- 2-9, 6.75 ERA, 93 hits in 76 innings. He ended the season in Double A Portland.
Clay started 09 in Pawtucket, but was recalled after a good start including a near-perfect game. As the Sox rotation foundered in the second half of the year, Buchholz was soon added as a starter. He ended the year at 7-4,4.21 in 16 starts and helped the Sox to a wild card spot.
In 2010, Buchholz had what can be described as a breakout year. On the strength of a 10-4 mark and 2.45 ERA, he was selected to the AL all-star team. The injury bug hit again,however, and a hamstring pull kept him from pitching in the game itself. He would recover quickly and go 4-0 in August and be chosen the AL Pitcher of the Month. His season stats were impressive, a 17-7 record, 2.33 ERA, 67 walks, 120 strikeouts and only 9 homers allowed.
In April 2011 Buchholz signed a four-year contract worth $30 million. His success continued early in the year; in his first 14 starts, he was 6-3. But on June 16, he went to the DL for back problems and did not return. In August it was reported that he had a stress fracture in his back. His spot on the rotation was taken by Andrew Miller, who would finish with a near-Lackeyesque ERA of 5.54. If Clay had continued to pitch, he seemed on the road to a 15-plus win season, which probably would have gotten the Sox into the playoffs.
The Sox rotation is in flux right now, with question marks for starters 4 and 5. But if Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz are all on, they could be among the top 1-2-3 hurlers in the majors.
This year is a big one for the rangy 27-year-old from Texas. It may be that as Buchholz goes, so do the Sox.
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