Why did BoSox fans blame Buckner?

[ndj101982]

So I live in southeast Mass and until 2004 Bill Buckner was like a legendary man of despise in Boston. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the clip of his error in game 6 of the 1986 Series against the Mets. Everyone blamed him, ruined the guys life, and ran him literally out of town and into hiding.

The problem I have with all of that hatred and cursing of Buckner (prior to 2004) is that he didn't cost them the series. The game was tied when he made that error so it's not like if he made the play the game was over and the Sox won the series. They could've lost in extras, and let's also not forget all of the other miscues that occurred during that game that kept the Mets in it in the first place. Also, they got to play another game. It's not like the error was made in game 7 with the Sox up a run.

 

[Deuce]

Fans always want a over value someone when they do good but need to blame someone and hold them accountable for there disappointment. I know when Mitch Williams aka Wild thing gave up that homerun to Joe Carter that lost the Phillies the World Series, he had to move to AZ cause of the death threats, ( and it wasnt a bad pitch) I think it's cause we all need to feel better when we lose so to make the pain go away we bitch and moan about a player. I know if the Eagles lose I cant watch the news or listen to my sports radio station till mid week but then again I never made a death threat either

 

[Knox The Hatter]

The real tragedy is that Bill Buckner had a very distinguished career before that night. After that, it became a scarlet letter. You know, that was always Boston's modus operandi- someone's to blame, period. Scapegoat City. After a while, after all the years and years of waiting and the years of tragedy, it became a form of pathology. Grady Little had some fucking choice, didn't he? Take Martinez out, and let the Throw Gasoline On a Fire bullpen try to finish the game, or keep Martinez in, and take your chances with a tired arm? Boy, would you've liked to have been him? He made his choice, and got burned at the stake anyway. Boston's a tough town. Winning, of course, changes everything in Boston. Winning changes nothing in Philadelphia, which is why I love it so much.

 

[Barbershopman]

1985 World Series

The same thing happened not to a player but to an umpire.

Don Denkinger made the call at first base calling Jorge Orta safe when replays clearly show he was out. For years and even to this day, St. Louis fans want to blame Denkinger for costing them the series, which may have been. It would have been the third out of the eighth inning. However, what people forget is that this was Game 6.

They still could have come out and won the next game, but what happened? They came out flat, Bret Saberhagen pitched a gem of a game, St. Louis pitching imploded and my Royals won Game 7, 11-0, and the series 4 games to 3.

Barbershopman

 

[nylontickler(m)]

Because he had a routine grounder go through his legs! Pick up the ball, walk 3 steps to first, and win the world series! And Boston fans are passionate about sports, so THAT is absolutely unforgivable.

 

[CitY of MicA]

i can 'field' this one

Because he had a routine grounder go through his legs! Pick up the ball, walk 3 steps to first, and win the world series! And Boston fans are passionate about sports, so THAT is absolutely unforgivable.

...but then the point remains that if they are that passionate about the game, they would obviously know that had Buckner picked up the ball, walked- nay, run- to first and beat Wilson to the bag (far from a certainty), the Sox wouldn't have won anything. Unless giving up a two run lead on three singles and a wild pitch but getting out of the inning can be classified as 'winning.'

Frankly, considering the fact that Buckner was playing injured (achilles tendon), I don't see where he was going to beat Wilson to the bag on a bad set of wheels, anyway.

 

[Mitchell]

I think they blame Buckner because fans feel that play turned the series psychologically. That perhaps if the game had remained tied, the Sox would have found a way to win.. or.. even if they had not lost in that way, would have perhaps won the next night.

It's the same reason why Braves fans blame closer Mark Wohlers for the Braves losing the 1996 World Series. Wohlers entered Game Four with the Braves leading the game 6-3 in the eighth, and up two games to one in the series. He then served up Jim Leyritz game tying homer. The homer didn't win that game, or the series, for the Yankees, but, psychologically, when the Yankees tied the game up, it took all the wind out of the Braves sails. If Wohlers had gotten Leyritz out, its very likely he would have saved Game Four, and the Braves would have won the series the next night at home.

Sometimes, in sports, it doesn't always have to be the "Series ending play". It can be a play that psychologically turns the series around. Such was the case with Buckner's ground ball, and Leyritz's homer off Wohlers.

Maybe I'm over analyzing it, but this is my view.

Mitch