That’s how Buchholz met Lindsay Clubine, a model who once opened briefcases on “Deal or No Deal’’ - she was No. 26 - and now hosts a travel show.
The Sox played next in Kansas City, where Clubine is from. Buchholz offered her and her family tickets. When they met up after the game, Buchholz knew. They were engaged this spring.
Buchholz was amazed at how much easier baseball felt. He arrives home after a start, good or bad, and Lindsay never asks about the game. They’ll watch a movie.
“That’s the best thing that’s happened to me since baseball,’’ Buchholz said. “It’s something that I don’t think I’ve made a better decision in my life. She’s awesome.
“It’s good to have somebody back there that’s helping you even when things are going bad and you don’t feel like hearing anything about baseball. You want to get away from baseball, and you still feel like you have somebody there that’s trying to take care of you.’’
While he toiled in Triple A this spring, Buchholz hoped he would find a way into the rotation, but he did not envision it happening like this. He relished the idea of pitching alongside a future Hall of Famer like Smoltz, and he became good friends with Penny.
After the trials of last year and the uncertainty of this year, he is where he wants to be.
“I had a step-by-step process that I had to follow,’’ Buchholz said. “I didn’t start where I wanted to start. It was hard at times. The way it’s turned out, I couldn’t ask for anything better.’’