I know most of the hype right now is focused on the NHL playoffs and I couldn’t be more excited so naturally I was thinking of writing a blog about hockey and playoff predictions… that was until I saw footage from the Boston Red Sox’ home opener and the emotional return of former first baseman Bill Buckner.
I have to say, it surprised me to see Buckner get so choked up more than two decades after his infamous gaffe that contributed to the Red Sox losing the World Series back in 1986. For the first time I stopped to think about what he must have gone through afterwards. Not as a player, but as a person.
We’ve all seen that ground ball rolling through his legs hundreds of times over the years and maybe thought, ‘poor Buckner’. For me, working in a sports newsroom, it’s become one of our go-to highlights for the ultimate misplay, It’s something we have all laughed at — clearly it’s no laughing matter for Buckner.
Judging by the tears he shed as he walked onto the field at Fenway to throw out the opening pitch and afterwards at a news conference, where he said he’s had to forgive the media for what they put him and his family through, it’s obvious the wounds are still fresh even 22 years later. But how amazing to see the healing power of 36,567 cheering fans on their feet as the PA announcer introduced Buckner declaring he will always be welcome at Fenway.
Buckner almost didn’t accept the invitation to be there to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. However he’s now glad he did.
So was current first baseman Kevin Youkilis, who said he has never been almost moved to tears before for anyone on a baseball field until seeing Buckner get the ovation from the Red Sox fans. Youkilis added he wanted to shake Buckner’s hand because he was a true man.
There was no question on this day Buckner was the man. Who else could have made the handing out of the World Series championship rings the second most exciting thing to happen at the opener for the fans in Boston?
Great blog Martine!
It’s amazing how when we watch sports we become so emotional over the teams we love but desensitize ourselves from the players.
Numerous times I’ve joked about Buckner’s play. I mean anytime you misplay a ball at first base in slo-pitch you “Bucknered”, it’s just how it goes. But seeing the highlights from yesterday you forget that Bill Buckner is actually a living breathing person who actually has feelings. I’d hate to have any error or miscue to be named after me. Or to have a World Series loss and have a continued drought put squarely on my shoulders.
Although I’m not a Red Sox fan, I’m glad they won the World Series (now twice) so Buckner can live somewhat in peace. I think a classier thing for the Red Sox to do would be to give Buckner a WS ring after all he’s gone though.
themick25 |
2:12 PM, Wednesday April 9, 2008
that was a real classy thing the sox did.
Doppelganger |
8:50 PM, Wednesday April 9, 2008
i agree with everything themick25 said except to give him a ring…that wouldn’t be right, and i doubt that he’d even accept it. Besides, do the sox even have that power?
aedk10 |
9:49 PM, Wednesday April 9, 2008
Let’s not too carried away with the hyperbole. As noted in the Boston Globe: On Opening Day 1987, Buckner’s first appearance after his Game 6 error in the 1986 World Series, he was given a standing ovation, and that scene repeated itself in 1990, when Buckner was brought back for a last hurrah.
Buckner marveled that final season at how many ovations he received, one of the loudest coming after he hit an inside-the-park home run, the final home run of his career. “It surprised me the way it’s turned around,” Buckner said at the time.
I challenge anyone in the media or anywhere else to produce a tape of Bill Buckner being booed at Fenway after October 1986.
In fact, I bet the ovations at the home openers in ’87 and ’90 were louder than opening day’s.
It was also noted that Buckner has profited from the error, making joint appearances at card shows with Mookie Wilson, the Mets batter whose ground ball Buckner missed. Various websites offer baseballs, photos, and posters autographed by both men, baseballs on one site going for more than $200.
5Cups |
12:40 PM, Thursday April 10, 2008
Being a life long Sox fan, that play still haunts me (I still turn away from the TV when I see the replay coming). I’ts less painfull now of course, with the two series wins! I never held it against Billy Buck, because I will always remember that he was playing hurt and all through the playoffs he battled through it. He did some wonderful things along the way, and you could see the pain on his face, and then the terrible thing happened.
The Fenway faithful have shown all is forgiven.
Thanks Martine, for the nice column!
Warlok50 |
7:02 PM, Thursday April 10, 2008
That is why Boston are true winners, they have the skill and class of a top notch organization. I wish I had seen Buckner get the standing ovation, that would of brought a tear to my eye. Way to go Boston, you are one classy organization!
Drock |
8:55 AM, Friday April 11, 2008
I watch the pre-game ceremonies, and while I was only a young kid in ’86, it was very emotional to see him come back and get the response he did. I agree, the Red Sox are a very classy organization and have the best fans in the world. Go Sox!
jnicky15 |
11:29 AM, Saturday April 12, 2008
Are we going to see Steve Bartman throwing out the first pitch if the Chicago Cubs win the World Series?
WadeBloggs |
10:27 PM, Sunday April 27, 2008