One wise decision definitely saves day

; It looked as though Mark Buehrle was going to fall three outs shy of perfection Thursday when Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Gabe Kapler blasted a ball to deep left-center to lead off the ninth inning. But a Wise defensive move by manager Ozzie Guillen was the key to preserving the 18th perfect game in major-league history. DeWayne Wise, who had just taken over in center field for Scott Podsednik, made one of the most spectacular and meaningful catches in White Sox history -- a wall-crashing, ball-juggling masterpiece destined for endless replay -- to keep the game blemish-free. ''It's probably the best catch I ever made because of the meaning of the game,'' Wise said. Those who weren't sure if he was going to hang on are in good company. Wise wasn't so sure, either. ''I knew I had a shot,'' he said of his dead sprint to the wall and subsequent collision. ''I didn't realize the ball was in my glove until I was falling. That's when it started to come out. When I hit the wall, the ball kind of hit my glove at the same time, so I couldn't really feel it.'' Wise had the presence of mind to corral the ball with his bare hand before it fell, and Buehrle retired the next two Rays hitters to complete the perfect game. After talking with bench coach Joey Cora, Guillen decided to insert Wise for a little more outfield range. ''At least I get the monkey off my back,'' Guillen said. ''This kid does something good for the organization. Now people can smile about it. We keep him for a reason. He just made the nice play, and I think it is one of the best plays I've seen -- especially in that situation.'' Wise, whom many have seen as less gifted defensively than Brian Anderson, entered the game batting .196 and has been the recipient of some boos at home. When Anderson was sent down to Class AAA Charlotte earlier this week, there even were some rumblings that the decision had been race-related. But none of that mattered Thursday, as Wise emerged as an unlikely hero. He attributed his readiness to make the big play in the big spot to his anticipation. ''It seems like any time you come in the game late, that ball always finds you,'' he said. ''When the ball was hit, I told myself, 'You've got to do whatever it takes to catch this ball.''' In the clubhouse after the game, several White Sox players crowded around the TV to watch the play over and over, seemingly mesmerized by the moment. ''Incredible,'' Jim Thome said. ''Another guy that gives to the game. These guys are always working to get ready to come in the game. And when you do that and are prepared, it pays off. Whenever you're a defensive replacement, the ball finds you. It always happens -- the ball is going to find you. ''And I'll tell you what, I've seen [Kenny] Lofton make some tremendous catches, but that is as good as I've seen. It gives me goosebumps.'' ESPN analyst Buster Olney went so far as to say that, based on what was riding on it, Wise's catch ranks among the five greatest of all time. Wise said Buehrle thanked him with a hug after the game, but the Rays' Pat Burrell had other ideas. ''He might wake up tomorrow with a new car in his driveway,'' Burrell joked. Comment at suntimes.com.