"It Gets Through Buckner"

Bill Buckner was welcomed back to Boston for the first time today since his error in Game 6 of the '86 Series against the Mets. I remember two years ago, the Mets faced the Sox in a series in Boston in Interleague Play, and the Sox attempted to organize a reunion of players for the 20th anniversary of the two teams meeting in the Fall Classic. Buckner refused to attend. Today, the evidence was clear that Boston has fully forgiven their former all-star first baseman. The power of the reception he received clearly affected Buckner, but didn't prevent him from firing a perfect strike to Dwight Evans in the ceremonial first pitch. To watch the video, click the link (which I hope works) below:

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl_3_1.jsp?w=2008/open/tp/archive04/040808_detbos_buckner_1stpitch_tp_400.wmv&pid=mlb_tp&gid=2008/04/08/detmlb-bosmlb-1&vid=7758&mid=200804082505348&cid=mlb&fid=mlb_tp400&v=2&id=641604

The whole event was made even better (to me, at least) by the fact that the music played at the stadium for Buckner's entrance was from one of my all-time favorite movies (Glory).

I'm happy for Bill Buckner to finally be able to return to the city where he played a major part in simply getting the team to a World Series. I always enjoy when old players return to stadiums for events, and this one with Buckner was particularly moving.

Don't get me wrong, though. I love the event that caused Buckner's 22 year exile from Boston. (I realize the Red Sox brought him back at the start of the 1990 season, but he was driven out of town by the end of June of that year.)