Bill Buckner was a professional baseball player who played for five different teams during his career. He was primarily a first baseman and outfielder, and was known for his consistent hitting and fielding abilities. Buckner began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1969, and quickly established himself as a reliable player. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1977, where he had some of his best seasons. In 1984, Buckner helped lead the Cubs to the National League Championship Series, but they ultimately lost to the San Diego Padres.
After his time with the Cubs, Buckner played for the Boston Red Sox, where he is perhaps best known for a single play in the 1986 World Series. In Game 6 of the series, Buckner let a ground ball go through his legs, allowing the winning run to score for the New York Mets. The play has been replayed countless times and is often cited as an example of the "curse" that plagued the Red Sox for decades. Despite this one mistake, Buckner had a solid career with the Red Sox, hitting over .300 in three of his seasons with the team.
Buckner finished his career with brief stints with the California Angels and the Kansas City Royals. He retired in 1990 with a career batting average of .289 and over 2,700 hits. Despite his impressive statistics, Buckner is often remembered for his error in the 1986 World Series. However, he was able to move past the mistake and even made light of it in later years. Buckner passed away in 2019 at the age of 69.
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On September 30, 1979, the Chicago Cubs met the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium...
1979-Sep-30 • CHC/PIT • Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates - Clinch - Radio Broadcast / On September 30, 1979, the Chicago Cubs met the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in a game that would determine the fate of the Pirates' season. Coming into the game, the Pirates had a magic number of one to clinify the National League East title, meaning a win against the Cubs would secure their place in the postseason. The Pirates were having a stellar season, with players like Willie Stargell and Dave Parker leading the charge. The Cubs, on the other hand, were struggling to find their footing, but still posed a significant threat with their roster that included the likes of Bruce Sutter and Bill Buckner. This game wasn't just about securing a playoff spot, but also about the Pirates proving their dominance in the league.
The 1979 season was historic for the Pirates as they would go on to win the World Series, with Stargell picking up the NL MVP and World Series MVP awards. This game, therefore, holds a pivotal place in that narrative. The Cubs, despite their struggles, were no easy opponent, and the tension of the game was palpable on the radio broadcast. The stakes were high, the air was thick with anticipation, and the game was set to be a memorable one.
3 hours
Sep 15, 1977Sep 15, 1977
The Montreal Expos faced off against the Chicago Cubs on September...
Chicago Cubs vs Montreal Expos - Radio Broadcast / The Montreal Expos faced off against the Chicago Cubs on September 15, 1977, at Stade Olympique. The Cubs sent Bill Bonham to the mound, while the Expos countered with Wayne Twitchell. At this point in the season, the Cubs were trying to keep pace in the National League East, while the Expos were looking to play spoiler. The 1977 season was marked by the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers' dominance in their respective leagues, setting up an exciting potential World Series matchup.
The game started off with an unearned run by the Cubs in the first inning due to an error by the Expos' third baseman Papi. The Expos quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, with Cash and Papi scoring on a double by Valentine. The Cubs managed to tie the game in the fourth inning, but the Expos reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the same inning with a home run from Carter. Despite a solo home run from Morales in the sixth inning, the Cubs couldn't maintain a lead, with the Expos tying the game in the eighth inning.
The ninth inning saw the Expos pull off a come-from-behind victory with a run in the bottom of the ninth, leading to a 5-4 win over the Cubs. This game was a microcosm of the Cubs' season, as they struggled to maintain leads and finished the season in fourth place in the National League East. The Expos, on the other hand, finished the season in last place, but showed promise for the future with young talent like Gary Carter and Andre Dawson. The 1977 season eventually culminated in a World Series victory for the New York Yankees over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2½ hours
Sep 2, 1972Sep 2, 1972
On September 2, 1972, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the
Los Angeles Dodgers vs St. Louis Cardinals - Radio Broadcast / On September 2, 1972, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium II. Starting for the Dodgers was Doug Rau, a left-handed pitcher making his Major League debut, while the Cardinals sent out Durham to the mound. The 1972 season was an interesting one for both teams. The Dodgers were in the midst of a rebuilding phase, having traded away some of their established stars in the previous year. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were coming off a successful 1971 campaign and were looking to repeat their success. The league was also experiencing a significant story in 1972, as it was the year of the first players' strike in Major League Baseball history, which had led to the cancellation of some games earlier in the season.
The game started off quietly, with both teams failing to score in the first inning. However, the Dodgers broke the deadlock in the second inning, scoring four runs. This scoring spree was initiated by a walk to Crawford and a single by Valentine. A wild pitch by Durham moved the runners to second and third, followed by an intentional walk to Russell. This set the stage for Yeager, who tripled to left, clearing the bases. Rau, in his debut game, followed suit with a triple of his own, scoring Yeager and putting the Dodgers up 4-0. The Cardinals' pitching struggled to contain the Dodgers' offense, with Durham being replaced by Palmer partway through the second inning.
The Cardinals' offense, on the other hand, was held in check by Rau. The Cardinals managed only three hits and one run, which came in the seventh inning when Jutze doubled and was driven in by Carbo. The Dodgers scored one more run in the sixth inning, with Yeager scoring on a single by Lacy. The Dodgers' pitching was the star of the game, with Rau going the distance, giving up only one run on three hits in his Major League debut.
The Dodgers' 5-1 victory over the Cardinals was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for the team. Despite their struggles, the Dodgers would go on to finish the season in second place in the National League West, while the Cardinals would finish fourth in the National League East. The 1972 season was also notable for the performance of Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies, who won the Cy Young Award after an outstanding season in which he won 27 games for a team that won only 59 games in total. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics would go on to win the World Series, defeating the Cincinnati Reds in seven games.
2½ hours
Jul 7, 1971
During the 1971 season, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers had notable performances...
Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Scully - Radio Broadcast / During the 1971 season, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers had notable performances and competed fiercely for a spot in the playoffs. The Cubs showcased their offensive power and solid pitching, led by players like Ron Santo, Billy Williams, and Ernie Banks. They had a strong start to the season and remained in the playoff race throughout July. However, their pitching staff faced challenges at times, impacting their consistency and requiring improvement to maintain their competitive edge.
On the other hand, the Dodgers were renowned for their pitching dominance, with Sandy Koufax leading the way. Their strong bullpen and pitching rotation allowed them to shut down opponents effectively. Throughout July, the Dodgers continued to perform consistently, relying on their pitching staff to secure crucial victories and maintain their position as a formidable force in the National League.
In July, both teams were determined to secure a strong position in their divisions. The Dodgers' pitching staff stood out as their main strength, ensuring they remained a top contender. Conversely, the Cubs relied on their offensive prowess, but they encountered difficulties due to inconsistencies in their pitching performances. Despite the challenges faced by both teams, they remained in contention for a playoff berth, making the 1971 season an exciting and competitive one for fans and players alike.