The Buckner Call, by Jack Buck and Sparky Anderson

A long time ago, we transcribed this and set it into verse for a book project that never saw the light of day. Now that Boston's into forgiving and forgetting, how about a trip into the memory hole?

From CBS Radio, Oct. 26, 1986
Boston at NY Mets, World Series Game Six
Bob Stanley pitching to Mookie Wilson
Bottom of the 10th, Red Sox lead 5-4,


Tomorrow, They'll Be on Stilts

By Jack Buck and Sparky Anderson

Jack: This thing-
This game,
Has been at the finish line three or four times.
Five-four Boston,
Top-
Bottom of the tenth inning.
Five-four, first and third, two out.
AND A FOUUUUUL-
PUTS BOSTON WITHIN A STRIKE OF THE TITLE,
Again.
It evens the count to Mookie Wilson,
That ball in on him.
Two-and-two!

Sparky: Don't be surprised
If you see his palm ball right here.

Jack: First and third.
Tying run at third.
Winning run at first.
The PIIIIIIIIIIITCH-
A SWING AND A FOUL TIP!
He just got a piece of it.
And that's how close Boston was
To nailing it down!

A foul by Mookie Wilson keeps him up there.
Two on, two out, two balls, two strikes.
The Mets have scored here in the tenth.
And they trail five to four.
Here's the pitch!
SWINNNNG-
And a foul back and out of play!
And Wilson hammered at one outside.
In the strike zone, I think.
It stays two and two!
Mitchell...
The tying run at third.
A base hit ties it for New York!
A long one could win it!
A home run would win it!
The PIIIIIIIITCH-
Ball thr-WILD PITCH!
WE'RE GONNA BE TIED!
THE BALL WENT OFF THE GLOVE OF THE CATCHER!
WE'RE FIVE-FIVE
IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TENTH!
UNBELIEVEABLE!
IT'S FIVE-FIVE
AND NOW THE WINNING RUN'S AT SECOND
WITH TWO OUT!
A breaking ball handcuffed Gedman.
A breaking ball handcuffed the catcher.
And Mitchell raced home with the tying run!
And Mookie Wilson could win it here.
They have first base open.
And Howard Johnson up next.
That run charged to Schiraldi.
The three-two pitch on the way.
SWIIIIIIIIING-
And a high pop FOUUUUUUL-
Going out of play.
And it gives everybody a chance to collect,
Their collective breath.
As the Mets have scored two here in the tenth.
After scoring a run in the eighth.
To pull it out of the bag again.

Sparky: If this don't remind you
Of that California-Boston situation,
Nothin' will.

Jack: And a full count on Mookie Wilson.
He can win it with a hit.
Ray Knight's at second base!
HEEEERE'S THE PITCH-
SWINNNNNG-
And a foul out of play!
And I'll tell you, folks,
If the Mets win tonight ,
Man, there'll be no holding them tomorrow.
Dennis Boyd or no Dennis Boyd.

Sparky: They'll be comin' out there
Lookin' like they're on stilts.

Jack: It stays three-and-two.
Let's look ahead to the Boston 11th inning.
Evans will lead it off.
Isn't this unbelieveable?
A couple of times
Boston was a strike away from winning!
Remember that little foul tip?
Just before...
What did they call that?
A wild pitch or a passed ball?

Sparky: I think they called it a-

Jack: A wild pitch.
HERE'S THE PITCH TO MOOKIE WILSON!
WINNING RUN AT SECOND!
Ground ball to first...
It is a-
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh-
RUN!
AN ERROR!
AN ERROR BY BUCKNER!
THE WINNING RUN SCORES!
THE METS WIN IT SIX TO FIVE
WITH THREE IN THE TENTH!
THE BALL WENT RIGHT THROUGH
THE LEGS OF BUCKNER!
And the Mets
With two men out and nobody on
Have scored three times
To bring about a seventh game.
It will be played here tomorrow night.
Folks,
It was UNBELIEVEABLE!

Kings of Magnaminity: Now champs, Redsock fans forgive Buckner

Forgive me... too choked up...

The emotion... human drama... It's just... so... (sniff)... wonderful...

"They stood, their ovation carrying him from the outfield through the infield to the mound, where he acknowledged them and clapped. They stood after that, still cheering, as he looked around, as he readied himself, as he threw a strike to Evans at home plate."

Wow. That's all I can say. Bravo! Those Redsock fans. Moral giants. For 22 years, they ridicule the poor bastard, condemn him, make him an untouchable.

Now, they forgive.

What a heartfelt bunch. Why, it's magic! this Redsock Nation! It's love. That's what it is. Love.

They forgive Bill. Not only that, they'll forget.

Like Russia after Stalin: It never happened. The taunts never occurred. What booing? What jokes? What anger? We always loved Buck. Nobody held a grudge.

It's trickle down compassion. It's the kindness of the billionaire, handing a homeless vet a cookie, while the video cameras roll. Once again, the rich guy is getting the better of the deal . This time, he's stealing something more valuable than money.

They had 20 years to forgive Buckner.

Wouldn't give him the time of day.

Now...

"They stood, their ovation carrying him from the outfield..."

Pure poetry... can't... write... overwhelmed... emotional..