Bill Buckner Finally Forgiven by Red Sox Supporters
It is uncertain who holds a grudge longer, Red Sox fans or sports gamblers who have seen their sure thing winner snatched away by capricious defeat. Both groups have held Bill Buckner's feet to the fire for over twenty years, blaming him for the collapse of the Boston baseball team in the 1986 World Series.
But resolution to the Buckner affair finally came Tuesday, when the Red Sox organization persuaded the former first baseman to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Boston's home opener.
When Buckner appeared on the field, the packed house gave him a roaring standing ovation, befitting a 22-year veteran who amassed 2715 hits in a distinguished career. But until very recently, all anyone pulling for the Red Sox in 1986 remembered was the out that got away, the ball that Buckner allowed to roll through his legs, which if caught would have been the third and final out in the tenth innning of Game 6.
Fans and gamblers alike conveniently forget that the Boston bullpen, featuring terrible performances by Bob Stanley and Calvin Schiraldi, had already given up a tying run in the inning, and put Ray Knight in scoring position, giving the physically battered Buckner the opportunity for infamy.
And even after Buckner's error, Game 7 was yet to be played; but the Sox never mentally recovered, and the Mets won the Series.
Now, after two World Series titles in the last few years for the previously starcrossed franchise, Red Sox fans made clear to Billy that all those mean things were said in anger, and they still loved him. For his part, Buckner let slide the bitterness that had him promise never to attend a game at Fenway Park again, holding only some blame toward the Boston media, which he felt drove his portrayal as the Series goat.
Gamblers also have found fresher meat to grind in the resentment of losing when wining appears inevitable. John Calipari, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and Derrick Rose will carry the uncomfortable mantle from this year's NCAA Basketball Championship as the guys who had it in their hands and choked it away. That's one title Bill Buckner is happy to give away.
