Former Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner passes away at 69
Bill Buckner was among the finest hitters in his day, but he also committed one of the most memorable errors in World Series history.
Buckner's family said in a statement that the former outfielder and first baseman died Monday at 69 following a long battle with dementia.
Buckner was a 1981 All-Star and a 1980 batting champion but he is better known as the first baseman who allowed Mookie Wilson's slow roller to go underneath his glove to end Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.
The Red Sox were seeking their first World Series title in 68 years, a drought that would last another 18 years before Boston swept St. Louis in 2004.
Buckner amassed 2,715 MLB hits and recorded a .289 batting average in a 22-year career that included stops with the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Angels and Royals.