Buckner Gets Standing Ovation from Red Sox Fans
by markleonette on Apr 8, 2008 8:45 PM CDT
Email
PrintNice to see Bill Buckner received a standing ovation from Red Sox fans at today's game (see related link below; I can't figure out how to add a link to the text). Buckner was one of my favorite Cubs when I became a fan, and he shouldn't have had to put up with what he did the last couple of decades. It's a shame this didn't happen earlier, before the Red Sox won their World Series titles.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
50 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
A nice gesture...
...but it doesn’t make up for the 20+ years of humiliation he has undeservedly suffered at their hands. Just a little ironic they found it in their hearts to forgive him after they won the WS.
On a related note, I hope the Cubs organization makes more of an effort to publicly absolve Bartman before we win the WS, if they wait until afterwards, it will be just as empty as this gesture as neither person was even close to responsible for the organizations failures, yet have seemingly been represented as such in the media.
Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.
Bartman is our Bucknor
I imagine when and if the Cubs win the World Series, Bartman will have a key to the City of Chicago and a guest of honor wherever he goes. He's forever entwined in the fabric and legend of the Chicago Cubs and right now that's a curse for him but once the Cubs do win it all, he'll be accepted again and come out from within the woodwork he has burrowed himself in and embrace his fate.
If the Red Sox hadn't won the World Series, Bucknor would've been nowhere near Fenway Park today..
" I want to point something out in the quickly-becoming-tiresome Old Media vs. Bloggers debate: most stuff sucks. All stuff. In all forms. Most books suck. Most movies suck. Most magazines suck. Most trees likely suck if you get to know them. Fish, bugs, various metals -- they all probably mostly suck". - FJM 4/6/8
aggs......BUCKNER!!!
Damn you CB Bucknor.
" I want to point something out in the quickly-becoming-tiresome Old Media vs. Bloggers debate: most stuff sucks. All stuff. In all forms. Most books suck. Most movies suck. Most magazines suck. Most trees likely suck if you get to know them. Fish, bugs, various metals -- they all probably mostly suck". - FJM 4/6/8
Agreed about the Sox....
Bartman is completely different from Buckner. Bartman wasn't a player and I do not think he will be liked even after we win. Forgiven maybe, but not given a key and made the guest of honor. I don't think that man will ever be able to show his face in Wrigley again no matter what.
Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.
by Bricks and Ivy on Apr 8, 2008 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Disagree
Winning heals all wounds.
" I want to point something out in the quickly-becoming-tiresome Old Media vs. Bloggers debate: most stuff sucks. All stuff. In all forms. Most books suck. Most movies suck. Most magazines suck. Most trees likely suck if you get to know them. Fish, bugs, various metals -- they all probably mostly suck". - FJM 4/6/8
Guess we'll have to find out around November right???
;^/
Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.
by Bricks and Ivy on Apr 8, 2008 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Right.
" I want to point something out in the quickly-becoming-tiresome Old Media vs. Bloggers debate: most stuff sucks. All stuff. In all forms. Most books suck. Most movies suck. Most magazines suck. Most trees likely suck if you get to know them. Fish, bugs, various metals -- they all probably mostly suck". - FJM 4/6/8
Buckner..
was a damned good player (also when he was with the Cubs if others here are old enough to remember) and one of the games' pure hitters that happened to have made one mistake in a crucial game. A game by the way that was already getting way out of hand before he made his error. He was not in 'attendance' at the game, he was playing in it; huge difference.
Bartman is a little dumb-ass attendee that couldn't keep his hands to himself. It's funny how this thread is tied to the BoSox. Just three days earlier in the 2003 playoffs, BoSox fans had a chance to screw their own player, Trot Nixon when he went towards the stands to catch a ball. Difference is, none of them did that. They scattered and let Trot catch the ball. I have several ties to beantown. In no uncertain terms do they hesitate to remind me of how much better educated BoSox fans are in general compared to Cubs fans. I've been to Fenway several times, I've witnessed the aura that surrounds that ballpark and I have to agree even though I don't like it, BoSox fans would never do the dumb shit Cubs fans have done, especially these past 8 years; reaching for hit balls, running onto the field, grabbing an opposing players' hat etc.
This little punk is getting what he deserved. Let him be an example of what the consequence is for lack of personal responsibility.
Good grief
When will some of you let go the damned Bartman thing. The poor guy reacted like 99.5% of the population would have if put in the same situation. He didn't lose that ballgame for us. If you insist on having a scapegoat then point to Alex Gonzalez.
Take your meds MD
" I want to point something out in the quickly-becoming-tiresome Old Media vs. Bloggers debate: most stuff sucks. All stuff. In all forms. Most books suck. Most movies suck. Most magazines suck. Most trees likely suck if you get to know them. Fish, bugs, various metals -- they all probably mostly suck". - FJM 4/6/8
Nowhere in this fanpost
Has anyone blamed Bartman or making him the Scapegoat.
But if you're insinuating that Bartman is not involved in the lore of the Chicago Cubs, you're mistaken.
" I want to point something out in the quickly-becoming-tiresome Old Media vs. Bloggers debate: most stuff sucks. All stuff. In all forms. Most books suck. Most movies suck. Most magazines suck. Most trees likely suck if you get to know them. Fish, bugs, various metals -- they all probably mostly suck". - FJM 4/6/8
Bartman
He is involved in Cubs lore because fans are stupid and the media loves a great storyline. Dusty had the chance to defuse the situation, but he didn't. Prior had a chance to get the guy out, but he didn't. Alex Gonzalez had about as easy of a double play as they come, getting the Cubs out of the inning, but he fumbled the ball.
Steve Bartman is a product of dumb fans and ESPN. Alex Gonzalez should have sent Bartman a blank check because absent the video clip of a Cubs fan wearing headphones on the third base line, Gonzalez would have to endure the 20-year exile that Buckner did.
DmL
I do blame Gonzalez.
Everyone I ask I blame him. I never once said I blames Bartman. I just don't think he'll ever be forgiven.
I blame Alou for throwin a fit about it.
I blame Gonzalez for missing the grounder.
I blame Prior for imploding.
I blame Dusty for not going out himself to talk to Prior.
And I blame the entire team for losing the next day.
Glad to get that off my chest. Sorry for the rant.
Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.
by Bricks and Ivy on Apr 8, 2008 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions
***Everyone who asks
Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.
by Bricks and Ivy on Apr 8, 2008 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree with all of this.
n/t
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
You just lash out to lash out don't you?
No one said he is the reason. He is sadly the scapegoat as many have indicated. I was there too. I was mad at the time but IMO, Alou made this problem for Bartman. I now why he did it but to wait 5 years to relieve the poor guy of his suffering was selfish. Alou is selfish. Gonzo, Prior, and Dusty lost the game. And I am tired of Bartman discussions.
Calm down.
re: Good grief
Yeah, I don't know who the "you" is you're addressing here. Most knowledgable Cubs fans don't blame Bartman, we look to everything Bricks and Ivy lists below.
Personally, I think there's a big difference between "forgiving" a player (e.g., Buckner) who made an error in the course of a game and dragging some inconsequential fan (e.g., Bartman) onto the field and, in doing so, dredging up an embarassing and unpleasant incident that we'd all be better off putting behind us.
Let Bartman remain a footnote. If the Cubs want to echo what the Red Sox did here, bring back Gonzo to throw out the first pitch after the Cubs win a World Series or two.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
That was a very nice gesture.
I don't know what the Cubs organization can say or do that will let Bartman off the hook. Although I don't blame him and never did, many Cubs fans will not forgive him until we do win. It's sad but true. I don't think the Cubs owe Bartman anything as far as an apology is concerned. The fans maybe, but the organization no.
Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.
by Bricks and Ivy on Apr 8, 2008 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Ill be happy for that empy gesture
as long as it includes the WS
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
No, it's not.
It's real. Buckner has acknowledged that he was wearing a Cubs wristband that night.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Therefore
proving there is no curse if the Red Sox won after that.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
HAHAHA
Thats great!
Who has my 'Club Paradise' dvd?
by Keystone80435 on Apr 9, 2008 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
What always gets me about the Buckner error..
is that the lead had already been blown by Schiraldi and Bob Stanley. The way it was hyped though, you would've thought buckner let in all three runs-it's always a lot easier (and more fun in a sadistic way) to make one guy the scapegoat.
as for Bartman, I was at that game only a section behind him-the point when I knew we were doomed wasn't when he was in the place at the wrong time but when Alex Gonzalez let the double play grounder clank off his glove.
Not me.
I dropped to my knees and knew the outcome wasn't going to be good. I think the majority of Cub fans who were Cub fans for let's say more than 20 years, had that same sinking feeling. Having said that, I did not and do not blame Bartman for the impending collapse. He was merely a spectator. I blame Dusty Baker and Gonzalez for that collapse.
anyway, moving on.....
" I want to point something out in the quickly-becoming-tiresome Old Media vs. Bloggers debate: most stuff sucks. All stuff. In all forms. Most books suck. Most movies suck. Most magazines suck. Most trees likely suck if you get to know them. Fish, bugs, various metals -- they all probably mostly suck". - FJM 4/6/8
That's what I meant.
When Gonzalez made that error it was so obvious how tight the whole team was-it was like they were suddenly aware of the weight of almost 100 years on their shoulders.
Like I said, Bartman was just in the wrong place at the wrong time-a convenient scapegoat.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 8, 2008 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions
McNamara Gets The Blame
Should've gone out to talk to Schiraldi (or sent Gedman out to talk to him) after giving up the 2nd single after 2 out. And he most definitely should have had Dave Stapleton in for defensive purposes!
Not to mention...
...that the Sox still had Game 7 to play after Game 6's staggering loss.
Hrmmm...kind of like our '03 team.
by Shawon O Meter on Apr 9, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions
agree
people forget, two out, nobody on and two strikes on Carter and the roof falls in on the Red Sox. I get jacked everytime these so call Red Sox fans get on Buckners ass. That guy busted his ass his whole career, can't count the ankle surgeries the guy had. He knocked it what was it 114 runs for the Sox that year, so Boston forget the standing "O" your 22 years late. Blame your damn bullpen, like I don't blame Bartman, I blame A. Gonzalez, and Dusty
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
Billy Buck
One of my all-time favorite ballplayers. It's nice to see Boston do this on his behalf. Buck is a class act. And was one helluva good ballplayer.
And a Good Sport Too...
I give Buckner big props for autographing photos of his infamous play. That day at almost at the same moment Buckner burbled my niece came into the world. A few years ago I gave her the photo and it remains one of her prized possessions. So it seems BB has a sense of humor about the whole thing.
Just as we should about Bartman. There's a lot to be said about lightening up -- makes us all look like the fine people we are.
The BBC would like to apologize for the next announcement. -- Monty Python
I have said this before elsewhere...
...and I will say it here.
We, the proud and loyal Cubs fans, need to make sure this happens:
If the Cubs win the World Series, Steve Bartman never pays for another drink for the rest of his life.
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
Woah, woah, woah
There's forgiving the guy, and then there's taking out a second mortgage to affort beer at Wrigley. I can do the former, but the latter? Forget about it! I wouldn't even buy Ron Santo a beer. A cup of hot water, maybe, but a beer? I'm just too broke.
Maybe you are in the wrong business
I kid I kid.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
first, it's just buying the kid beer
not the entire 41,230-seat outdoor bar, second, if Ronnie could drink (which obviously a type-1 diabetic can't or shouldn't), I'd buy him as many as he could put down. But hey, that's just me.
As for compliance...
if only diabetics were medically compliant.... my grandma would prove differently.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Apr 9, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
QUESTION
For those who have comcast and a dvr in chicago and normally record the game. I couldnt find it on TV anywhere. Anyone know what channel its on?
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
According to the...
...Cubs schedule, it's on CSN+, which I believe is 41 (CLTV) here in the Chicago area. (Maybe someone else can confirm that.) Were I at home right now, rather than at work, I could check my cable box. (Actually, if I were at home right now, I'd probably be asleep.)
Nanika Ga Okoru!
CLTV is channel 10...
... on Comcast in Chicago.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Buckner to the Cubs sealed the deal for me
I grew up near L.A. and Buckner was my favorite Dodger of the early 70's. I was always torn between the Dodgers and Cubs, but when Buckner went to the Cubs, it was no question who I would root for from then on. I loved his scrappy-ness even after the ankle problems. He sure could fly before those injuries though. Thanks for the memories Buck.
Buckner was great
The man spent hours get treatment on his ankles before and after each game. He worked his tail off to be baseball-ready each day. One of the purest hitters who has ever worn the Cub uniform. He wasn't the prettiest hitter, but man did he deliver. If only the Cubs could have surrounded him with legitimate lineup protection. And I'm not talking about that moody p.o.s. Dave Kingman.
My only wish Buckner could have down two things. Win a World Series ring and notch that 3,000 hit.
This was long overdue for Buckner, but
at least the Boston fans finally welcomed him back. I wouldn't have blamed him if he had not gone after the way he's treated for the past 20 years. The unfortunate thing is a whole generation of baseball fan grew up thinking this guy was some hack ballplayer. He was one of the top players for about 10 yrs when talking of BA and near impossible to strike out. He was always my favorite Cub during his time in Chicago and I was sad to see him go. I was glad to hear that he had put the whole episode behind him years ago, but it was really heart warming to see him get the ovation that he did get. That had to really help heal some old wounds.
Maybe now the media will look past "the error" and look at what a great player he really was. His stats are right there with Keith Herhandez and some of the premier 1st basemen of his generation.
Buckner...
... probably would have made the Hall of Fame if not for all the injuries. He retired with 2715 hits; between injuries and strikes, he probably missed 150-200 games during what would have been his best seasons, and in that time he was averaging well over a hit per game... he would have likely stuck around long enough to get to 3000. Plus, when younger he was pretty fast -- he might have stolen more bases, and won more than the one batting title. He was a pretty good left fielder before the injuries (ankle and knee).
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Marlins agree to unretire No. 5 for Logan Morrison, who will honor his father’s favorite player
- Weatherman Derek Holland does Dallas TV
- Ask Alex: Will Julio Teheran or Matt Moore win rookie of the year?
- Ku Klux Klan, umpires and bowling: Why the minor leagues tossed out Jim Evans academy
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
