Even tho the Sox have won multiple World Series since, I still dont think he sleeps at night. He keeps replaying that infamous 1986 World Series blunder OVER and OVER every now and then. He was an outstanding player, Look at his career stats. He was a good Cub too. Sucks that he is only remembered for that play.

In 85 and 86 Buckner's hitting was impressive, and a big reason the Sox were in the World Series in 1986. His defense, which had never been exactly impressive, had deteriorated with age and injuries, and resulted in the infamous error in the Series, for which he has taken far more than his share of the blame (which mostly belongs to Schiraldi, Stanley and McNamara.)

A couple of days ago I had the opportunity to meet Buckner, when he visited the local minor league team to throw out the first pitch and sign autographs. He's a somewhat shy but nonetheless friendly man who hung around until all possible fans were satisfied, willing to sign anything (including a book of Baseball Goats with a cartoon of him on the cover) and take any picture. After that, he strolled out in the stadium and found a seat in the bleachers to watch the game, staying until the last out, and welcoming anyone who wanted to shake hands or chat for a moment.

He seemed a very gentlemanly guy, and it was a real pleasure meeting him.

Bill had two really good seasons with Red Sox (1985 and 1986) and was key reason that the Red Sox won AL East in 1986 by batting .267 with .311 OBP , 39 2B's, 18 HRS and 102 RBI and importantly in September of 86 hitting. 340 with 8 HR's and 22 RBI's. He also capped of the memorial ninth inning Game 5 comeback of the then-Clifornia Angels by leading off the inning with a single.

Unfortunately Bill will only be remembered for one play--the error in the bottom of game six of the bottom of the tenth inning which completed the Mets three run comeback as the Red Sox already leading the series three games to two were within one inning of clinching the World Series.

However I have always said Bucker's error is the most overrated error in World Series history and to blame Buckner for this loss is very unfair. With Calvin Schiraldi on the mound for the Red Sox, the first two Mets batters went down before Gary Carter, Kevin Mitchell and Ray Knight all singled which allowed the Mets cut the Red Sox lead to 5-4. Bobby Stanley then was brought in to pitch to Mookie Wilson and he threw a wild pitch which allowed Kevin Mitchell to score from third base which TIED the score. Mookie Wilson then hit a grounder to Bill Bucker, which went under his gloves and Ray Knight scored giving the Mets the victory.

Unforutnately everyone remembers Bucker's error as it was the final play of the game but for some reason people don't talk about Calvin Schiraldi giving up three straight singles or Bob Stanley throwing a wild pitch or John McNamara leaving Bucker in the game when he should have been takent out for a defensive replacement which in this case was Dave Stapleton.

 Or even more importantly the game was ALREADY TIED after Stanley threw the wild pitch which allowed Mitchell to score. Had Buckner made the play on Wilson's grounder the game would have simply moved onto the 11th inning and NOT the Red Sox winning the game and the World Series. If Buckner had made that error with the Red Sox still with the 5-4 lead (in other words if Stanley hadn't thrown the wild pitch) then piling on Buckner for the error would have been understandable but again Buckner made the error with the scored tied. Also the Red Sox took a 3-0 run lead in game seven before the Mets made their comeback and won the game 8-6. So fans and media blaming Buckner for the 86 World Series collapse is very misguided and unfair to Bill.

However all seems forgiven as Buckner returned to Fenway Park on Opening Day of 2008 and was given a four minute standing ovation by Red Sox fans.