Bill Buckner, the former MLB first baseman who played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, died today from complications of dementia. He was 69 years old.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/s...g-dementia

Buckner played 22 seasons in the major leagues and won a batting title as a member of the Chicago Cubs, but is most remembered for his blunder in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series as a member of the Boston Red Sox when the New York Mets' player Mookie Wilson hit a ground ball directly to him that went between his legs and allowed the Mets to win the game after the Red Sox had the lead. The Mets would go on to win the World Series.

The guy received a lot of crap after that error, which he didn't deserve. He never even should have been on the field in that situation, as it was customary that year to replace him with Dave Stapleton in the later innings because Bill's prior injuries turned him into a below-average fielder. But his manager, John McNamara, insisted on leaving him in the game so he could "celebrate on the field" the assumed victory. If anyone should have been blamed, it should have been McNamara or Schiraldi or Gedman.

Little known fact, hard to believe but Buckner's last career homerun was an inside-the-parker!

Rest in peace Bill, I'm so glad you got the long ovation when you returned to Fenway in 2008.

Pokeno4Money said:

The guy received a lot of crap after that error, which he didn't deserve. He never even should have been on the field in that situation, as it was customary that year to replace him with Dave Stapleton in the later innings because Bill's prior injuries turned him into a below-average fielder. But his manager, John McNamara, insisted on leaving him in the game so he could "celebrate on the field" the assumed victory. If anyone should have been blamed, it should have been McNamara or Schiraldi or Gedman.

Little known fact, hard to believe but Buckner's last career homerun was an inside-the-parker!

Rest in peace Bill, I'm so glad you got the long ovation when you returned to Fenway in 2008.

I remember that day so clearly.

RIP Billy Buckner

My memories, Bill Bucker was as the 1st baseman for the Chicago Cubs or 7/8 years. I wasn't all that happy when he left for Boston. RIP Mr. Buckner.