Bill Buckner Has Passed Away At The Age Of 69

At the age of 69, we lost Bill Buckner today after a battle with dementia. First and foremost, Buckner was a husband and a father to two daughters and a son. He was an All Star, a batting champion, and knocked on the door of legendary status with 2,715 major league hits. Of course, he’ll always be associated with the loss in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, but that was always bullshit. The Red Sox still had their chance to win the series in Game 7, and they failed. Buckner took so much grief for one play, overshadowing what was otherwise a stellar 22-year major league career in which he had a lifetime .289 batting average.

After the Red Sox won the 2007 World Series, Buckner returned to Boston to throw out a first pitch on Opening Day, as the Red Sox dropped not one but two World Series banners since that fateful night in 1986. It was looked at as a day of forgiveness for Buckner, but he had nothing to be sorry for. With tears in his eyes, you could literally see the weight being lifted from Buckner’s spirit. I wasn’t fortunate enough to have seen him play, but I will always remember him for that day. I’m so glad he got that moment. May he rest in peace.