1986 World Series Game 6 vs Mets
The 1986 Red Sox: AL East champions, ALCS winners, World Series runners-up.
The 1986 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1986 season. The 83rd edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National League (NL) champion New York Mets and the American League (AL) champion Boston Red Sox. The Mets won the series in seven games, claiming their second World Series title and first since 1969. The series is best remembered for its Game 6, which saw the Mets rally from a two-run deficit in the bottom of the 10th inning, despite having two outs and no one on base. The Red Sox, who held a 3–2 series lead, were twice one strike away from securing the championship, but failed to close out the inning as the Mets won off an error by Boston first baseman Bill Buckner.
- Date
- October 25, 1986
- Venue
- Shea Stadium, Flushing, Queens
- Result
- New York Mets win 6-5 in 10 innings
- Key Moment
- Bill Buckner error in the bottom of the 10th
- Series Status
- Series tied 3-3
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The Red Sox lost the World Series to the New York Mets in seven games. The series is best remembered for its Game 6, which saw the Mets rally from a two-run deficit in the bottom of the 10th inning, despite having two outs and no one on base. The Red Sox, who held a 3–2 series lead, were twice one strike away from securing the championship, but failed to close out the inning as the Mets won off an error by Boston first baseman Bill Buckner. When the Mets won the series in Game 7, the Game 6 collapse entered baseball lore as part of the Curse of the Bambino superstition used to explain the Red Sox's championship drought between 1918 and 2004.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Shea Stadium was thick with humidity and a deafening roar that seemed to vibrate through the dugout. Buckner crouched low, his body screaming from the injury that had nearly sidelined him for weeks, eyes locked on the spinning ball. It wasn't a line drive or a rocket; it was a lazy, dying bloop that rolled with deceptive slowness toward first base. The leather of his glove seemed to move in slow motion as the ball slipped past, finding the gap between his legs and the dirt. In that split second, thirty years of hope evaporated into the New York night.
Did You Know?
- The 1986 World Series was the 83rd edition of the World Series.
- The Mets won their second World Series title and first since 1969.
- The Red Sox were twice one strike away from securing the championship in Game 6.
- The Game 6 collapse entered baseball lore as part of the Curse of the Bambino superstition.
- The Red Sox's championship drought between 1918 and 2004 was explained by the Curse of the Bambino.
The Curse and the Error
Bill Buckner's error in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets stands as a defining moment in Boston Red Sox history. The Red Sox, who held a 3–2 series lead, were twice one strike away from securing the championship, but failed to close out the inning as the Mets won off an error by Boston first baseman Bill Buckner. When the Mets won the series in Game 7, the Game 6 collapse entered baseball lore as part of the Curse of the Bambino superstition used to explain the Red Sox's championship drought between 1918 and 2004.
Origins of the Name
The source does not cover the origins of the name 'Boston Red Sox'.
Fenway and Fan Culture
The source does not cover Fenway Park or fan culture.
Championship Legacy
The source does not cover the Red Sox's championship legacy beyond the 1986 World Series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played in the 1986 World Series Game 6?
The American League champion Boston Red Sox faced off against the National League's New York Mets at Shea Stadium on October 25, 1986. This decisive contest occurred after both teams had won three games each to tie the series.
What is the most famous moment from this game?
The match is defined by a critical error in the bottom of the tenth inning when Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner allowed a ground ball to roll through his legs. This mistake enabled the Mets to score the winning run and extend the game into extra innings.
How did the 1986 World Series Game 6 end?
The New York Mets defeated the Boston Red Sox with a final score of 6-5 after ten grueling innings. The victory forced the series to continue, eventually leading to a Mets championship in Game 7.
Why is this game considered so important in baseball history?
It represents one of the most heartbreaking collapses in franchise history, turning a likely World Series title into a two-decade drought for Boston fans. The dramatic shift from near-victory to defeat has made it an enduring symbol of the team's struggles.
Where and when did this iconic match take place?
The game was held at Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens, on October 25, 1986. It served as the pivotal sixth contest between the Red Sox and the Mets during their championship series.
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