Egland scores Teddy Bear Toss goal but Pats lose in OT
5h ago
Over 3,000 stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice.
Bill Buckner’s death was met with the same headline: Buckner, remembered for World Series error, dead at the age of 69.
Even in death, one of the most infamous moments of Buckner’s career is in the first paragraph.
Growing up, it was the only time I heard his name, when the blooper shows, highlights or TSN Top 10 focused on the worst big-game moments ever.
There it was, sometimes No. 1, right there with the 13th man, as the ball off the bat of Mookie Wilson bounces between Buckner’s legs.
But Buckner was more than that. He’s in the top 100 players in all-time hits and doubles. He rarely struck out, won a batting title and a handful of times got votes for player of the year.
He also never shied away from the blunder, appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm to be the focus of another laugh at his expense.
He moved past it long before the fans did, but in 2008, it was another memorable moment — a moment that moved Buckner to tears. Boston Red Sox fans stood for two minutes to applaud Buckner before he threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
It was closure for someone many say should be remembered as one of the classiest men in the game.