Advertisement

Red Sox Celebrate at Opening Day

Bill Buckner threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Boston Red Sox home opener Tuesday, 22 years after his costly error in the sixth game of the World Series.

The former first baseman was part of ceremonies before the game against the Detroit Tigers that included the presentation of championship rings to Boston coaches and players who won the team's second title in four years last October.

Buckner was cheered continuously as he walked from the Green Monster to the mound and threw what appeared to be a strike to former teammate Dwight Evans.
Buckner returned to Fenway Park for the first time since September 1997 when he was the hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox.

In a 21-year career in which he had 2,715 hits, Buckner is remembered for his error when Mookie Wilson's grounder rolled through his legs, allowing the winning run to score and capping a three-run rally as the Mets won 6-5 in 10 innings in New York.

Two nights later, the Mets won the seventh game 8-5, keeping intact the Red Sox streak of not having won a World Series since 1918. They finally succeeded in 2004, winning their first championship in 86 years.

Buckner was released by the Red Sox on July 23, 1987, then returned to the team in 1990 when he played 22 games and retired.

This program aired on April 8, 2008. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close