I never thought I’d see the day
April 9th, 2008, 9:51 am · Post a Comment · posted by Alex Kreitman
I spent Tuesday from 2-5:30 p.m. with heads phones glued to my ears because it was the home opener for the Boston Red Sox.
I had to balance work and the Red Sox because it’s like my religion.
The Fenway Park opener is like a holiday back home in Boston and every year it is one of the biggest regular season games of the year, next to any Yankees game of course.
Bostonians skip work, miss school and the city basically shuts down during the nine-inning affair because it’s that big of a deal.
I remember back as a kid in elementary school we’d wear Red Sox gear to school and watch the game while eating popcorn and snacks instead of doing math problems or reading. It was great.
This year’s game was no different, well, except for the first pitch.
Bill Bucker, the long-time hated former Red Sox first baseman threw out the first pitch. In case you’ve been asleep the last 22 years, Bucker is the guy who let the 1986 World Series championship slip through Boston’s grasp. With two outs in the ninth of Game 6 he let a slow ground ball go through his legs which allowed the winning run to score for the New York Mets.
The Mets would go on to win Game 7 and capture the Series. Buckner would forever be hated in Boston for keeping the Curse alive.
But not really forever.
On Tuesday, Buckner walked across the green Fenway grass and to the pitcher’s mound. The entire journey must’ve seemed like an eternity for Buckner. But then as he walked, he received a standing ovation. He must’ve been ecstatic.
Never did I ever think I’d see the day when Bill Buckner would receive a warm reception, let alone a standing ovation in Boston. But with the curse in the past, we have no reason to hate him anymore. The error was a mistake anyone could have made, but he made it, and suffered the rest of his life because of it.
He spent the last 22 years dealing with one play, one error, and one simple mistake with huge consequences.
Buckner cried a lot Tuesday and they were tears of joy. He must’ve been thrilled to finally have his life back. Boston fans will always remember the 86′ Series, but we won’t hate on Buckner any longer.
It was a wonderful site to see during the 2008 home opener and I will remember that day as vividly as I recall the highlights from that horrible October night in Shea Stadium.
