Bill Buckner

Early Life

Bill Buckner is one of the amazing baseball players that has shown what it means to be an achiever.

Buckner was an American baseball player who probably has what it takes to make a grand entrance in the Guinness Book of Records.

With a stellar 22-year career where he played as a first baseman and an outfielder for various teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox, the California Angels, and the Kansas City Royals. Buckner surely does have an outstanding and applauding profile.

Born on December 14, 1949 in Vallejo, California. Bill Buckner grew up in nearby American Canyon.Buckner was the son of Leonard and Marie Katherine Buckner.

As a teenager, Buckner lost his father in 1966 and was left in the care of his mother who was a stenographer for the California Highway Patrol.

Education

Buckner attended Nepal High School where he sharpened his skills in football and baseball.

Not only did he sharpen his skills, Buckner also played on the school’s baseball and football teams. This helped to give him a sense of direction on his future career path.

Buckner also briefly attended Los Angeles Valley College, USC and Arizona State University.

Career

With a history of being involved in baseball in high school, Buckner was already known for his exceptional batting skills especially his ability to drive in runs.

Apart from his batting skills, Buckner is also remembered for his role in one of the most infamous plays in baseball history: the error he made in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets.

With the Red Sox leading by two runs in the bottom of the 10th inning, Buckner let a ground ball hit by Mookie Wilson go through his legs, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run from second base.

The Mets went on to win Game 7 and the championship, while the Red Sox extended their drought of not winning a World Series since 1918.

The error became a symbol of the Red Sox’ curse and Buckner became a scapegoat among some fans and media.
Despite this error, Buckner enjoyed a successful career and was respected by his peers.

Bill Buckner even received a standing ovation from the Fenway Park crowd when he returned to Boston as a member of the Angels in 1990. Buckner retired after the 1990 season and he later worked as hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox and the Boise Hawks.

After retiring from baseball, Buckner became a real estate developer in Idaho. He also coached several Minor League Baseball teams before leaving baseball in 2014.

Personal Life

Aside from the ups and downs of being a famous baseball player, Buckner was a dedicated family man. Buckner was married to Jody Buckner. The couple had three children together.

Years after his retirement, Buckner suffered from Lewy body dementia, a degenerative brain disease, in his later years. Buckner passed away in 2019 at the age of 69 surrounded by his wife and children.
Bill Buckner is remembered not only for his impressive career but also for his resilience and sportsmanship, especially in the face of adversity. His legacy is a testament to perseverance and dedication to the sport.