“Little roller up along first. Behind the bag! It gets through Buckner! Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!”
Vin Scully’s broadcast of Mookie Wilson’s 10th inning ground ball in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series sends chills through the hearts of Red Sox Nation. Buckner, a journeyman baseball player, gained immortality because Wilson’s grounder went through his legs. In the hearts and minds of baseball fans, Buckner’s error lost the World Series for the Red Sox.
Never mind that Buckner might not have beat Wilson to the bag even if he fielded the ball.
Never mind that the Red Sox committed tactical mistakes leading up to Wilson’s at bat.
Never mind that the Mets victory in Game 6 tied the World Series at three games apiece—the Red Sox had a chance to win the series with a victory in Game 7. Alas, they did not.
But one error, despite its fame, does not define a career. Buckner may even be worthy of induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Outrageous? Statistics say otherwise.
Using a four-point paradigm of hits, doubles, RBI, and batting average, Buckner’s numbers compare nicely to some other Hall of Famers. The four points are based on:
- hitting ability (number of hits)
- hitting power (number of doubles)
- clutch hitting (RBI)
- consistency (batting average)
Bill Buckner played 2517 games between 1969 and 1990 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, California Angels, and Kansas City Royals. A first baseman and left fielder, Buckner racked up 2715 hits, 498 doubles, 1208 RBI, and a .289 batting average.
Bill Mazeroski, second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, played 2163 games from 1956 to 1972. His career numbers: 2016 hits, 294 doubles, 853 RBI, and a .260 batting average.
Phil Rizzuto, shortstop for the New York Yankees, played 1661 games from 1941 to 1956. His career numbers: 1588 hits, 239 doubles, 563 RBI, and a .273 batting average.
Johnny Evers of Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance double play fame played for the Chicago Cubs, Boston Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox from 1902 to 1917 with one-game stints in 1922 and 1929. His career numbers: 1659 hits, 216 doubles, 538 RBI, and a .270 batting average.
Yogi Berra played catcher for the New York Yankees from 1946 to 1963 and returned to the major leagues in 1965 with the New York Mets. He played four games in the ’65 season and 2120 games in his major league tenure. His career numbers: 2150 hits, 321 doubles, 1430 RBI, and a .285 batting average.
To be fair, offensive output in the traditional categories is not the only benchmark for Cooperstown.
Mazeroski earned eight Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess.
Rizzuto was a master of the bunt, often used sacrificially to advance runners.
Evers made his name on defense in the most hallowed of double play combinations.
Berra won the American League Most Valuable Player Award three times, played on the American League All-Star team 15 times, and exemplified the importance of defense in the catcher position.
Still, Buckner’s performance during a career lasting more than 20 years deserves further scrutiny by the baseball writers making the ultimate call on the worthiness of a player getting inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Based on statistics, Buckner’s entry is viable.
Statistics, after all, are stubborn things.
A version of this article appeared on www.thesportspost.com on May 31, 2013.