RIP Bill Buckner

[NJHalo]

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2019/05/27/former-red-sox-first-baseman-bill-buckner-dies/18VJtDkmpYIGMfn5KO6cOP/story.html

 

 

https://nypost.com/2019/05/27/bill-buckner-red-sox-icon-entrenched-in-baseball-history-dead-at-69/

Edited May 27, 2019 by NJHalo

[failos]

Sad, but comforting to know he was a Christian. Rest In Peace.

[fan_since79]

Sad. Too young.

Lewy Body Dementia, second most common form after Alzheimer's.

Rest in peace...

[NJHalo]

If you have not seen it, please be sure to watch the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode dedicated to Buckner. Funny, yet paid tribute to an honorable man.

[fan_since79]

from Twitter (and verified by Retrosheet)

Bill Buckner never struck out more than two times in a game.

[Dick Enberg]

Buckner was a baller. Played the game right. If you weren't a fan of Buckner, you weren't a fan of baseball.

[Fish Oil]

RIP Bill.
What is really a shame is that this truly outstanding player will always best be remembered for a defensive miscue.
One of my favorite all-time players.

[daygloman]

RIP.

[bruin5]

When I was young and not “woke” I was a Dodgers fan and remember when Buckner came up. They were predicting him to be a batting champion one day.  He was far and away my favorite Dodger and if given a choice when playing sports I would always ask for number 22.  When I became an Angels fans one of my first favorite players was Bruce Bochte.  Initials BB, left fielder, and number 22.  

It’s too bad the World Series is what comes to mind when his name is mentioned because he was a really good player and had a really good career.  Thanks Billy for the memories and may you Rest In Peace.  

[mtangelsfan]

RIP, a very good baseball player and a better person 

[eligrba]

He will unfortunately be remembered for the error and not for his contributions getting the Red Sox to the World Series.  He was a major offensive force during that year despite being nearly crippled by his ankles.

 

[Slegnaac]

Too Young

RIP BB

[Duren, Duren]

It's a double edged sword. 

Yes, he'll be remembered for the WS error, but most fans will be reminded that he was much more than that. A classic sports 'tragic hero' identified with one play or event but still someone who was a career valuable part of different rosters.

[Brandon]

Dementia is probably the best way to go when you botch that play in the World Series

Edited May 28, 2019 by Brandon

[happybat4]

To young to remember him play, but of course I know the play that lost the series. I always heard he was a very good player and borderline hall of fame. He stole based, had 2700 hits and nearly 500 doubles. With all that said he averaged less than 1 WAR a year. Advanced metrics don't like him much. 

[nando714]

“Behind the bag!!”

[Tank]

a really good hitter who deserves a better legacy than the botched play at first.

when aaron was chasing ruth, there was a reward offered to whoever caught #715. buckner was playing left field that april night and climbed the wall desperately trying to catch aaron's shot (relief pitcher tom house caught the ball). of course, had buckner actually caught the ball, it wouldn't have been a homer, but that's beside the point.

sorry to hear he was ill.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Very underappreciated player, especially as a hitter. It's s shame that everyone remembers him for the error at first base in the 1986 World Series.

[arch stanton]

I remember him stealing 2nd, 3rd, and home in one inning when he was with the Dogs. Once he tore up his ankle those days were over and he was limited to playing first base but he could always hit

RIP

[Claude]

Thank you ESPN for such a classy announcement.

Edited May 28, 2019 by Calzone 2

[Billy_Ball]

RIP Bill Buckner

 

[Redondo]

RIP Bill

[fan_since79]

Never struck out more than 2 times in a game 
Never struck out more than 40 times in a season 
Had the second most hits in the 70’s and 80’s, Pete rose being first 
Played 186 innings in the post season and only committed 1 error

 

[m0nkey]

The error didn’t even lose them the series, it was a tie game in game 6 

[Jay]

26 minutes ago, m0nkey said:

The error didn’t even lose them the series, it was a tie game in game 6 

Well it cost them Game 6, the Mets scored the winning run on that play to force a Game 7, which they won.