Bill Buckner

William Joseph "Bill" Buckner (born December 14, 1949 in Vallejo, California) is a former Major League Baseball player who, despite an impressive 20-year career, is best known for a ground ball that rolled between his legs in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

1986 World Series

On October 25, 1986, with the Boston Red Sox leading the New York Mets 3-2 in the best-of-7 series, the game was tied in the bottom of the tenth inning. The Red Sox, had taken a two-run lead in the top of the tenth, but the Mets had come back to tie on a wild pitch by pitcher Bob Stanley. Mookie Wilson of the Mets fouled off several pitches before hitting a ground ball to Buckner at first base. The ball took a deadening bounce on the dirt and rolled under Buckner's glove, through his legs and into right field, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run from second base. It capped an astonishing comeback for the Mets, though it did not (as is often misremembered) end the World Series. The Met victory, in fact, forced a seventh game, which was played two nights later and won by the Mets.

Related Topics:
October 25 - 1986 - Boston Red Sox - New York Mets - Inning - Mookie Wilson - Ray Knight - World Series

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Some observers of the game believe that even if Buckner had cleanly fielded the ball, he still would have been unable to prevent Wilson from reaching first base. Wilson was a very fast runner, while Buckner had lost a large part of his mobility because of a long history of ankle injuries; it is possible that Wilson would have beaten Buckner to first base, which would have extended the inning.

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Although many factors can be cited as to why the Red Sox lost the 1986 World Series, Buckner's error remains the popular focus of the blame. Moreover, the mistake was added to the lore of the Curse of the Bambino.

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According to a popular Bostonian joke, the distraught Buckner threw himself in front of a locomotive in grief after his fielding error. The train passed between his legs.

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"The Bill Buckner Bridge" is also a nickname given to the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge on which cars pass through the bridge's Y-shaped "legs".

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Buckner has denied any lingering bitterness over the 1986 Series fiasco, pointing out that he was a key member of the team that year. He hit 8 home runs that September, with 22 RBIs and a .340 average, missing only three games. He drove in over 100 runs for the season.

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Buckner's willingness to play injured may have contributed to his famous 1986 World Series error.

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After Buckner retired from professional baseball he moved his family to Boise, Idaho, where he invested in real estate: one of the housing subdivisions which he developed is named Fenway Park.

Related Topics:
Boise, Idaho - Fenway Park

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The "Buckner Ball" was later auctioned for $93,000. The high bidder was Charlie Sheen. The ball is now in the collection of Seth Swirsky, who refers to it as the "Mookie Ball."

Related Topics:
Charlie Sheen - Seth Swirsky

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Buckner also played a supporting role in another of baseball's milestones, as the Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder seen climbing the fence in an attempt to catch Hank Aaron's 715th Home Run on April 8th, 1974.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles Dodgers - Hank Aaron - April 8th - 1974

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Boston band Slide named their debut album Forgiving Buckner.

Related Topics:
Boston - Slide - Forgiving Buckner

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On August 15, 2005, in an episode of its The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame... series, ESPN Classic examined why Buckner should not be blamed for the Red Sox losing the 1986 World Series.

Related Topics:
August 15 - 2005 - The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame... - ESPN Classic

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