History of Walker Buehler in Timeline
Walker Buehler is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played college baseball at Vanderbilt University, winning the College World Series in 2014. Drafted by the Dodgers in 2015, he debuted in MLB in 2017. Buehler is a two-time All-Star (2019, 2021) and was instrumental in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series victory.
1986: Connection to "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
Buehler's name has often been associated with the popular 1986 film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." He embraced the nickname "Ferris," incorporating it into his Twitter handle and even wearing it on his jersey during the 2018 MLB Players Weekend.
July 28, 1994: Birth of Walker Buehler
Walker Anthony Buehler was born on July 28, 1994.
2012: MLB Draft Selection
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Walker Buehler in the 14th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, but he did not sign.
2013: Freshman Season at Vanderbilt
As a freshman at Vanderbilt in 2013, Buehler had a 4-3 record and a 3.14 ERA in 16 appearances.
June 16, 2014: Dominant Relief Performance in College World Series
On June 16, 2014, Walker Buehler pitched 5 and 1/3 innings of no-hit relief for Vanderbilt, striking out seven batters, in a win against UC Irvine during the College World Series.
2014: Cape Cod Baseball League Success
Walker Buehler excelled in the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2014, posting a 0.63 ERA for Yarmouth-Dennis and winning co-MVP honors while leading them to the league championship.
2014: College World Series Championship
Walker Buehler was a member of the Vanderbilt Commodores team that won the College World Series in 2014.
July 17, 2015: Signing with the Dodgers
Walker Buehler officially signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 17, 2015, receiving a $1.78 million signing bonus.
2015: MLB Draft
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Walker Buehler with the 24th overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft.
2015: Successful Junior Year at Vanderbilt
In 2015, Buehler's junior year at Vanderbilt, he recorded a 2.95 ERA in 88.1 innings.
August 23, 2016: Professional Debut
After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Buehler made his professional debut on August 23, 2016, with the Arizona League Dodgers.
September 6, 2017: Major League Debut
Walker Buehler was called up to the majors and made his debut with the Dodgers on September 6, 2017, against the Colorado Rockies.
2017: Minor League Success and Dodgers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year
Buehler progressed through the Dodgers' minor league system in 2017, earning a promotion to Triple-A and being named the organization's minor league pitcher of the year.
2017: MLB Debut
Walker Buehler made his Major League Baseball debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017.
April 23, 2018: First MLB Start
Buehler made his first MLB start on April 23, 2018, against the Miami Marlins.
2018: Embraces "Ferris" Nickname
Buehler wore the nickname "Ferris" on his jersey during the 2018 MLB Players Weekend, referencing the film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."
2018: Rookie Season and World Series Appearance
In 2018, Buehler had a strong rookie season, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting and helping the Dodgers reach the World Series.
2019: Consecutive Starts Without a Loss Record
On June 20, 2021, Buehler tied Kirby Higbe's Dodgers franchise record for 23 consecutive starts without a loss, a streak that began in 2019.
2019: First All-Star Selection
Walker Buehler was selected to his first MLB All-Star game in 2019.
2019: First Career Home Run and Historic Strikeout Performances
During the 2019 season, Buehler hit his first career home run and became the third pitcher in MLB history to have multiple games with 15 or more strikeouts and no walks in the same season.
2019: Chooses "Buetane" Nickname
For the 2019 MLB Players Weekend, Buehler opted for the nickname "Buetane."
2019: Strong Regular Season and Postseason Start
Buehler had a 14-4 record and a 3.26 ERA in 2019, earning his second consecutive top-10 finish in Cy Young Award voting. He also started two games in the NLDS, pitching well in both.
2020: Horse Racing Enthusiasm and Ownership
A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Buehler has a passion for horse racing. He is a minority owner of Authentic, the winner of the 2020 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic.
2020: 2020 Season and World Series Championship
During the shortened 2020 season, Buehler achieved a 1-0 record with a 3.44 ERA across eight starts. He played pivotal roles in the playoffs against the Brewers, Padres, and Braves. In the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, he secured a win in game three, becoming the third-youngest pitcher with over 10 strikeouts and under four hits in a World Series game. The Dodgers went on to win the World Series in six games.
2020: World Series Champion
Walker Buehler and the Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2020 World Series.
July 2021: NL Pitcher of the Month
Buehler was named the NL Pitcher of the Month in July 2021.
2021: 2021 Season and Postseason Performance
In the 2021 regular season, Buehler achieved a 16-4 record with a 2.47 ERA and 212 strikeouts, earning him a spot on the National League All-Star team. Despite his regular-season success, he faced challenges in the postseason, recording losses against the Giants in the NLDS and against the Braves in the NLCS.
2021: Second All-Star Selection
Walker Buehler earned his second All-Star selection in 2021.
August 2022: Season-Ending Surgery and Contract Extension
In August 2022, Buehler underwent season-ending surgery on his right arm, including his second Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair. This procedure was expected to sideline him until the 2024 season. Despite the injury, the Dodgers signed him to an $8.025 million contract for 2023.
2022: First Opening Day Start, First Shutout, and Elbow Injury
Buehler made his first Opening Day start for the Dodgers in 2022, securing a win against the Rockies. He also achieved his first career shutout against the Diamondbacks. However, he experienced discomfort in his pitching elbow during a game against the Giants, leading to arthroscopic surgery to address bone spurs.
2023: Missed 2023 Season
Buehler missed the entire 2023 season due to injury.
2023: Missed 2023 Season
Despite initial hopes for a late-season return, Buehler missed the entire 2023 season due to his ongoing recovery. The Dodgers remained hopeful for his return at the start of the 2024 season.
2023: Contract Extension Despite Injury
The Dodgers signed Buehler to an $8.025 million contract for the 2023 season, despite his ongoing recovery from surgery, thus avoiding salary arbitration.
2024: Return from Injury and Contract Signing
After missing the entire 2023 season, Buehler signed a one-year, $8.025 million contract with the Dodgers, his final year of arbitration. He was activated from the injured list in May and made his first start in almost two years.
2024: Expected Return to Play
Buehler is expected to return to the Dodgers for the start of the 2024 season.
2024: Expected Return to Play
Buehler's recovery from surgery is anticipated to extend into the 2024 season, at which point he is expected to rejoin the Dodgers.