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| (BoSox Club Photo) |
With three World Series titles in the past twelve years, Red Sox fans have pretty much given up the ghosts of our tortured past. No more
Bambino curses, no more pulling
Jim Willoughby for a pinch-hitter, no more Mookie (the
evil one, that is). So, in that spirit, we celebrate the tremendous career of one
William Joseph Buckner—who turns 67 years-old today.
'Billy Buck' played 22 seasons in the big leagues—compiling a .289 average, while knocking in over 1,200 runs. He was a pure hitter—and a damn good one. And, until one play in 1986, he was regarded as a top-notch defensive first-baseman. He played a total of five years in
Carmine Hose—hitting .279 with 48 HRs and 324 RBIs. He was a
solid contributor—for example, playing 162 games in 1985 while hitting .299 (all with gimpy knees). Buckner was a fierce competitor—famously scaling the left-field fence to try and rob
Hank Aaron of his 715th record-breaking home run. Happy birthday, Bill—and thank you for being a great player throughout your outstanding career.
