It took 22 years, but the Boston Red Sox fans have finally forgiven Bill Buckner. What could Buckner have done that was so bad that it took so long for baseball fans to forgive him? Well, let me tell you the story:
Back on October 25, 1986, the Boston Red Sox were a team who hadn’t won a World Series since 1981. Some thought the Red Sox had such a long losing streak due to the Curse of the Bambino, Babe Ruth. But, in 1986, they found themselves on the verge winning it all. It was game four, they were leading the New York Mets 3-2 in the series, and all they needed to do was get one more out in the tenth inning to win. Just one out away. Only one minuscule out away from being the world champions.
But, alas, it was not to be. The Red Sox were ahead 5-3 in the tenth inning in Game 6and needed that one out to win the series. The champagne in the clubhouse was already being chilled, but three straight singles and a wild pitch had evened the game up at 5-5. Mets player Mookie Wilson hit a dribbler to first – it should have been an easy play, but it wasn’t. In a shot that must have been shown on television more than any other, the camera showed Buchner bend down, and then the ground ball slowly roll between his legs into right field. That allowed Met third baseman Ray Knight to score the winning run and pretty much deflated the Red Sox team spirit. With the series tied 3-3, the Mets would go on to win the seventh and final game, becoming the 1986 world champions. Buckner was, at least for a time, one of the most unloved men in baseball. The ball, referred to as the “Mookie Ball” now lives in the collection of songwriter Seth Swirsky.
Of course, the Red Sox did finally “break” the curse in 2004, the first time in 86 years. In 2006, the Red Sox has a 1986 player reunion. Buckner wasn’t there, but the fans were already warming to him, cheering and applauding when his name was shown on the video board.
He seemed to finally be forgiven this past April 8th, when he was asked to throw out the first pitch of the Boston home opener against the Detroit Tigers. He got a 4-minute standing ovation from the crowd. Then again, the Red Sox fans found themselves celebrating another world championship just last year.
What did Buckner have to say about all this? He said, “I really had to forgive, not the fans of Boston, per se, but I would have to say in my heart I had to forgive the media for what they put me and my family through. So, you know, I’ve done that and I’m over that.”