Buckner Lets One By

On any other occasion, it would have been a routine error—unlikely to occur, but also inconsequential.

Not so on this date in 1986.

Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner let a routine ground ball roll between his legs, allowing the winning run to score in Game 6 of the World Series.
You remember it.
I remember it.

Devastating.

From being within a breath away from winning the Fall Classic---to being embarrassed and having to limp into Game 7, where the Mets would close out the series---all turned on that split-second goof that defined Red Sox frustration until 2004’s breakout World Series win.

To be fair, Red Sox pitching couldn’t hold a two-run, two-out lead—couldn’t keep the Mets from scoring to tie the game, but Bill Buckner---a decent player---will forever be linked to that one fraction of a second that not only ended up defining his career—but also his life. Buckner tried to live in Boston, but the abuse from fans was so constant, so intense and so mean-spirited that he eventually moved to Idaho.

For years, he refused to be interviewed about that game and that error. Who can blame him?

Here is a short video that captures the parade of mistakes that cost the Sox Game 6:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbGHa1Pl8b0&feature=related



Well, they say that time heals all wounds. Perhaps we should amend that to say that, at least in Boston, the only medicine that would heal THIS particular wound is a World Series title. In 2004, the “Curse of the Bambino” was erased as the Red Sox came from behind three games to none against the Yankees to win the ALCS and then swept the Cardinals in the World Series.

I’m sure that no one rooted the Sox on to victory more than Bill Buckner.

With the win—and another World Championship in 2007, the Red Sox organization decided that it was time to give fans a chance to forgive Bill Buckner. They asked him to throw out the first pitch on opening day in 2008. Still some boos, but overall, a great reception:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W12h9gNxdpo&feature=related


No matter how many rings the Red Sox win, there is no way to erase the memories of that dark day in Red Sox history. I have felt sorry for Buckner ever since. To have your entire life defined and evaluated on ONE fraction of a second mistake is more than anyone should bear.

As the Sox watch this year’s World Series on TV like we mortals will, one wonders if there will be a Texas Rangers or San Francisco Giants player whose careers may be framed forever in a fleeting moment. Unless it’s a “good” moment, let’s hope not. The Red Sox team—to a man---had nothing but kind words for Bill Buckner on that opening day in 2008.

Nevertheless, there were some superstitious players who avoided shaking hands with Buckner that afternoon (you can see some of them in the video)---apparently, they didn’t want the bad luck to rub off on them.

Nothing personal, you understand.

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