Growing up as a Mets fan, the name Bill Buckner becomes a prevalent one in your household.
1986 was one of the greatest World Series of all time, and Buckner’s gaffe in the field is the moment that people will always remember, for better or for worse.
Even for me, I have the call from Vin Scully memorized.
“Little roller up along first…behind the bag! It gets through Buckner! Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!”
Being born in 1995, I’ve never seen the Mets win a World Series. ’86 is all I have to look back on, as I close my eyes and imagine what it must have been like to celebrate like that.
For many years, Buckner’s name was always synonymous with blowing it. The Red Sox futility, and the guy who let the Mets win Game 6 of the ’86 World Series. I even remember seeing a guy at Shea Stadium when I was a kid wearing a Mets jersey that had “Buckner E3” written on the back.
But was it really Buckner’s fault? At this point, it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. The Red Sox lost regardless and my beloved Mets captured a World Series title.
For some reason though, as I got older, I felt terrible for Buckner.
In his 22-year MLB career, Buckner hit .289/.321/.408, had 2,715 hits, won a batting title and appeared in an All-Star Game, but was forever known for letting a ball get through his legs which capped off a come from behind Mets win.
Let’s do a little rewind, though.
Boston took a 3-2 series lead going into Game 6, which ended up being a seesaw affair. The Red Sox and the Mets ended up being tied 3-3 and went into extra innings.
The Red Sox went up 5-3 in the 10th, and had the Mets down to their final out, and even final strike on several occasions.
Gary Carter started the rally, singling with two outs. Kevin Mitchell came on as a pinch hitter and chipped in a single of his own. Ray Knight drove in Carter with a single as well, then came to the dish Mookie Wilson.
Mitchell advanced to third on Knight’s hit, and came in to score on a wild pitch. Then Wilson, after a long at bat, dribbled one down to first that ended up becoming the “Buckner play.”
But how come we don’t remember pitchers Calvin Schiraldi and Bob Stanley blowing the game for Boston just as they had a World Series victory within grasp?
Schiraldi failed to get just one more out to win the game, and even when Stanley came in, Boston was still winning. He threw the wild pitch and allowed the hit to Wilson. Why wasn’t that what was remembered?
When the Mets won Game 7, Buckner became the lone symbol for Red Sox futility and the Curse of the Bambino. The error he made in the field in Game 6 is what he always was remembered for.
Every preview for subsequent World Series’ showed the error. In popular culture, the name Buckner became synonymous with making a mistake.
It wasn’t until the Sox won in 2004 that Buckner was “forgiven.” Unfortunately by that point, he and his family had been through the ringer, had to uproot their base in Boston due to the ridicule and deal with the hate from Red Sox fans for nearly two decades.
Buckner passed away earlier this year at 69-years-old. It always made me sad that someone with such a great big league career was remembered for something so silly.
Even as a Mets fan, Buckner became a favorite of mine once I really delved deep into the error and his story. If you want to learn even more of him, watch the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “Catching Hell.” A big part of the doc is the play and has some great interviews from Buckner.
I was lucky to meet Buckner earlier this year at a baseball card show. I had to wait on line for nearly two hours to meet him and Mookie Wilson, but it was well worth it.
I shook Buckner’s hand when I met him and it was a great feeling. He autographed a photo for me, and I was on my way. For him, he signed thousands of autos in his career and I was just another one, but to me, it was a special occasion.
After he passed away, the photo became even more important to me. I’m happy I was able to meet him, and am glad I’ll always have that photo.
I know it’s been over 30 years, but I think Buckner shouldn’t get all that heat for the Game 6 loss. At least in my mind, I know the real truth. To blame Schiraldi and Stanley. 🙂
