Posted on 05/27/2019 11:00:28 AM PDT by EdnaMode
Bill Buckner, the longtime major leaguer whose error in the 1986 World Series for years lived in Red Sox infamy, died Monday.
"After battling the disease of Lewy Body Dementia, Bill Buckner passed away early the morning of May 27th surrounded by his family," his family said in a statement. "Bill fought with courage and grit as he did all things in life. Our hearts are broken but we are at peace knowing he is in the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
He was 69.
Buckner played 22 seasons in the majors, was an All-Star once and won a batting title in 1980. But it was a ball that went through his legs at Shea Stadium on a cool Oct. 25 night in 1986 that made for one of baseball's most shocking moments.
Boston, looking for its first World Series title since 1918, carried a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 6 against the Mets. New York tied it with two runs, then brought Mookie Wilson to the plate.
Wilson worked a 3-2 count off reliever Bob Stanley, and then, with a runner on second base, bounced a slow roller up the first-base line on the 10th pitch of the at-bat. Buckner ranged to his left, went down to snag the ball behind the bag and watched it roll through his legs and into right field. Ray Knight scored to give the Mets a 6-5 can-you-believe-it win. They took Game 7, too, a gut punch to a Red Sox team a strike away from a long-awaited title just 48 hours earlier.
His Red Sox teammates said Buckner wasn't to blame, noting Boston wouldn't even have been in the World Series without his efforts that season.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
I recall reading about how many managers would have taken a player injured like that out of the game and John McNamara was faulted for that and other inconsistencies during that World Series.
I remember where I was...and who I was with...when it happened.
Dave Stapleton should have been on first.
The utility infielder had been a late inning sub for Buckner most of the season.
McNamara still defends his decision to keep Buckner in the game.
I was at that game
If the Sox came back and won game 7 Bruckner’s error would have been forgotten.
I feel sorry for Ralph Branca, 1) The Giants were cheating 2) It wasn’t that big deal of a homeruns because the Giant went on and got crushed in the World Series.
Dementia at 69—that’s tough.
So many who live lives of highs also have deep lows.
I forgave Mr. Buckner. I hope he forgave himself. We all make errors, big ones, too.
A bicycle racer stopped to take a leak yesterday 5/26 which caused him to lose the race. He felt horrible and the global media had fun teasing him at the Giro d’ Italia. Everyone loves drama.
Ahhhh yes Bucky F’n Dent.....What a glorious day it was.....We especially loved the shock and sadness of Fenway Park!!!!!!!
You have to remember that the Sox were playing with a curse in those days.
RIP Bill Buckner
I never held you responsible for us losing that World Series. I know darn well that you were a huge part of what got us into that Series.
That was a crazy play. I think it was Fuhr in goal and he must have been thinking, WTF???
See my post number 36 for my further comments on that incident.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. May he rest in peace.
He didn’t deserve the hatred he received for his error in Game 6 of the’86 Series. He should not have been on the field considering his bad knees and he had nothing to do with the Red Sox blowing the lead in that inning. I’m glad he received the apology of Red Sox fans. RIP, Bill Buckner.
Oh do I remember that error! Right up thete with “who the [bleep] is Bucky Dent.”
R.I.P. #BillBuckner.
I know probably not my fault, but imagine how much better his life and legacy wd have been if I had homered with two outs (and no one on) in the bottom of the 9th in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series rather than flying out to left to send it to extra innings.
https://twitter.com/LennyDykstra/status/1133097706812002304
Someone gets into a very tough spot and right and wrong are no longer operative?
Heard a great story about Billy Buckner on the radio today...apparently the announcer spotted Buckner at a Boston/Mets game in Boston. Buckner told the announcer he bought a ticket to the game and was sitting in the stands with a bunch of Mets fans who treated him like a king. Otherwise he went unnoticed at Fenway that day.
Then there’s the Rangers’ Nelson Cruz, who misplayed the fly ball that would have won the World Series.
Condolences to family and friends of Bill Buckner. Thank you, sir. R.I.P.
love
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.