The Ball Gets Through Buckner

Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, October 25 at Shea Stadium. Boston led the series three games to two. In the top of the tenth Dave Henderson homered, Wade Boggs doubled, and Marty Barrett singled Boggs home. The Red Sox led, 5–3.

Calvin Schiraldi got the first two outs of the bottom of the inning. Gary Carter singled. Kevin Mitchell, pinch-hitting, singled. Ray Knight singled, Carter scored, and it was 5–4 with Mitchell on third. Mookie Wilson battled Schiraldi, and manager John McNamara brought in Bob Stanley. A wild pitch — scored that way, though catcher Rich Gedman was part of the mess — brought Mitchell home and moved Knight to second. The game was tied before anyone fielded a ground ball. Wilson then hit a slow roller inside first. It went through Buckner's legs, and Knight scored. Mets 6, Red Sox 5.

Buckner was playing on ruined ankles. McNamara had used Dave Stapleton as a late-inning defensive replacement earlier in the series and did not do it here. The Mets won Game 7 the next night. The photograph kept only the last mistake, which is why the entry is named for the ball and not for the man alone.