Bill Buckner

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Buckner was traded to the Red Sox in the middle of the 1984 season. During the 1985 season, he started all 162 games and set a major league record with 184 assists. His tenth-inning error in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets remains one of the most memorable plays in baseball history.

In Their Own Story

In the tenth inning of Game 6 against the New York Mets, with the bases loaded and two outs, Mookie Wilson hit a routine ground ball toward first base. Buckner moved to field it, but the ball slipped between his legs and rolled into right field, allowing two runs to score and handing the Mets the victory. The image of Buckner sitting alone in the dugout, head in hands, became an enduring symbol of heartbreak for Red Sox fans. For years, he was the target of vitriol, with some even blaming him for a supposed 86-year curse on the franchise. Despite the immense pressure and public scorn, Buckner never wavered in his professionalism. It was not until the Red Sox finally broke the curse by winning the World Series in 2004 that the team embraced him again, acknowledging that one play did not define his entire career or character.

Reader's Guide

Buckner led his league in assists four times, with his 1985 mark remaining the American League record. He retired with the fourth-most assists by a first baseman (1,351) in major league history despite not playing the position regularly until he was 27 years old.

Did You Know?

• Buckner won the National League batting title with a .324 average in 1980.
• He set a National League record for first basemen with 159 assists in 1982, then surpassed that with 161 in 1983.
• Buckner became the 21st player in major league history to play in four decades.
• He ended his career with 2,715 hits and 498 doubles.