Thursday, December 14, 2017

Ex-Red Sox 1B Bill Buckner Turns 68 Years Old Today

Bill Buckner turns 68 years old today. If there was any justice in the world, he should be able to calmly reflect today on a tremendous, 22-year MLB career with the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Royals and Angels. He put together a stellar .289 career batting average and drove in over 1,200 runs. He won a National League batting title in 1980 (.324), and led the Senior Circuit in doubles twice. He was an All-Star in 1981 and finished in the Top Ten of MVP voting twice. Famously, he was also the Dodger left-fielder who frantically climbed the fence to try and rob Hank Aaron of his record-setting 715th HR. That's the kind of player Buckner was—gritty, take-no-prisoners. And yet, some people will only remember him for one play. All we have to say is: The game was already tied! Happy birthday, Billy Buck!