I wouldn't have done it...

Billy Buckner threw out the first pitch at Fenway.

Bill Buckner is a more forgiving person than I am. He did something I would not have done.

One of the reasons I hate the Red Sox franchise is their fans. Red Sox fans tend to be fickle, ignorant, and obnoxious. In my eyes, it was not Billy Buckners fault that the Red Sox lost the 86 series. Yet most Red Sox fans will tell you it was his fault.

For almost 20 years Beantown has been swearing is name. They've placed undeserving blame on Buckner. If it was me, I'd avoid Boston for the rest of my life, regardless if I felt I was to blame or not. I admire Buckner for going back to Fenway to throw out the first pitch. I couldn't have done it. Again, if AN ENTIRE CITY blames me for something that was a team effort, I'd head for the west coast.

And of course...when Buckner returned to Fenway to throw out the first pitch, the fans cheered? I'm confused. Sheesh, make up your mind, Red Sox Nation.

Why Boston's 1986 World Series lost was not Buckner's fault:

1. Buckner's error was in Game 6. It might be a little bit more justifiable if this happened game 7...but it was game 6. Boston had another chance in Game 7 (and Boston did have the lead for part of game 7).

2. The play-by-play for the bottom of the tenth inning reads like this: Flyball out, Flyball out, Single, Single, RBI single, Wild pitch (runner scores), E3 (runner scores). If someone can explain to me how Buckner gets more blame for the E3 than the pitchers for giving up 3 singles and a wild pitch, then I'd be impressed. There isn't a Boston Red Sox fan who wouldn't know the name of the firstbaseman who made that error but I wonder how many of them could tell you the names of the pitchers who couldn't close out the tenth (C. Schiraldi gave up the 3 singles, B. Stanley relieved him and threw the wild pitch).

3. Something similar happened in the 5th inning but it was a Red Sox player that wasn't Bill Buckner who fumbled a ball. While the Mets were batting in the 5th, Dwight Evans misplayed a ball hit to him (with a runner already on first) that allowed a runner to get to third base with no outs. The next batter GIDP and that runner on third scored (though it wasn't an RBI and it was an unearned run). After that there was a groundout. The runner would not have scored if Evans hadn't misplayed the ball in RF. Without his error, there wouldn't even be a need for a 10th inning, thus there would be no Buckner error. Why not blame him?

4. I know this probably isn't as deep as any of the above points but I find myself repeating it often...IT'S A TEAM SPORT. DON'T BLAME ONE PLAYER FOR A LOSS WHEN AN ENTIRE TEAM IS INVOLVED!!!! Could we not say the Red Sox offense should have scored more runs in the top of the 10th allowing more of a cushion for Buckner's error?

5. Dave Stapleton, a late inning defensive replacement for the Red Sox, was sitting on the bench while butter hands Buckner was out on the field. Blame the manager for not bringing in the sure handed fielder (who replaced Buckner even in other 1986 World Series games).

As we can see, I've always felt blaming Buckner was harsh. I've listed some top reasons above, but more can be added.

You gotta admire Buckner for coming out and throwing out the first pitch. If I was in Buckner's shoes, and Red Sox treated me that way...I'd be more likely to throw out a pitch for the Mets.

Perhaps Pedro Martinez would be my catcher.