Deane: It wasn’t Bill Buckner’s fault
From SABR member Bill Deane at WordPress on June 25, 2019:
Bill Buckner died at 69 on May 27. Many have noted that, though he is chiefly remembered for the error that cost the Red Sox the 1986 World Series, he had a long, distinguished career. Despite a serious ankle injury in 1975, Buckner collected 2715 career hits, won a batting title and had five other top-ten finishes, set the all-time single season assist record at first base for both the NL and AL, and was a key member of two World Series teams.
I’ll add that Buckner DIDN’T cost the Red Sox the ’86 Fall Classic, with a chapter from my Baseball Myths (Scarecrow Press, 2012):
Many Red Sox’ fans still hiss at the mention of Bill Buckner’s name. After all, it was Buckner who lost the 1986 World Series for them when he let Mookie Wilson’s ground ball roll between his legs.
People forget that the Sox had already blown their two-run lead before the error, that they still had another chance to win the world championship the next game, and that it takes more than one man to win or lose a baseball game.
Read the full article here: https://dizzydeane.wordpress.com/2019/06/25/it-wasnt-buckners-fault/
Originally published: June 25, 2019. Last Updated: June 25, 2019.