Was a baseball play that occurred in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series on October 25, 1986, at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York
Bill Buckner's fielding error in Game 6 allowed the Mets to win and tie the 1986 World Series, which New York then won in Game 7.
Key Facts
- Game
- Game 6, 1986 World Series
- Inning
- Bottom of the 10th inning
- Error by
- Bill Buckner, Boston Red Sox first baseman
- Winning run scored by
- Ray Knight, advancing from second base
- Series state before game
- Red Sox led 3–2 in best-of-seven
- Buckner career hits
- Over 2,700 hits across 21 MLB seasons
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
With the Red Sox leading the 1986 World Series three games to two, Boston entered the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 6 ahead by two runs but allowed the Mets to tie the score. Facing two outs with a runner on second, the Red Sox needed only one more out to move within a play of winning the Series.
Mets batter Mookie Wilson hit a ground ball along the first base foul line that Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, playing through injury, failed to field. The ball rolled through Buckner's legs into right field, allowing Ray Knight to score from second base and give the Mets a walk-off victory, tying the series at three games each.
The Mets went on to win Game 7 and the 1986 World Series championship. Buckner's error became one of baseball's most infamous moments, long associated with the so-called Curse of the Bambino. Despite a 21-season career, Buckner was largely defined by the play until Red Sox fans reconciled with him following Boston's 2004 World Series title.