Former Infamous Baseball Player Dies
When I was a little boy growing up in Houston, Texas, I loved all sports. And I loved all our local sports teams-especially my Houston Astros. They were terrible more…
BOSTON – APRIL 08: Former Boston Red Sox player Bill Buckner throws out the ceremonial first pitch at the MLB baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers on April 8, 2008 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Snyder-Pool/Getty Images)
Pool / Pool-Getty Images
When I was a little boy growing up in Houston, Texas, I loved all sports. And I loved all our local sports teams-especially my Houston Astros.
They were terrible more often than not, but I didn't care. One of the first game I ever went to in person was against the Chicago Cubs. One of their star players was Bill Buckner.
If I remember correctly, that night he went 3-4 with a home run and the Cubs took out my 'Stros. Buckner had a REALLY solid major league career including a batting championship and being an all-star, but unfortunately, it is for this that he will be remembered.
In 1986, the sure-fielding Buckner was playing for the Boston Red Sox, and had this ball go between his legs. It cost Boston Game 6 of that World Series (and a World Series win). I always felt this was SO UNFAIR. After all, it was only Game 6. They still had a chance to win in Game 7 and didn't. Was that his fault too?
Anyway, for YEARS, his name was spoken in infamy among Boston Fans. Later tho, all was forgiven on both sides and he was embraced by the Boston faithful.
Bill Buckner died yesterday. He was 69.
"After battling the disease of Lewy Body Dementia, Bill Buckner passed away early the morning of May 27th surrounded by his family," his family said in a statement. "Bill fought with courage and grit as he did all things in life. Our hearts are broken but we are at peace knowing he is in the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
I'm so glad he and the city of Boston were able to make peace.
