New York Mets: The passing of Bill Buckner is a lesson for fans.

Monday, Bill Buckner the unfortunate scapegoat of Boston’s 1986 World Series collapse died at age 69. His post-1986 life is a lesson all New York Mets fans should heed.

Word spread like wildfire that a key figure in New York Mets folklore, Bill Buckner, affectionately known as Billy Buck, died from dementia at the age of 69. For many of the younger Mets fans, he holds a special place in Amazins history.

Billy Buck was somewhat of a journeyman breaking into the Majors as a 19-year-old with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He then played for the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, California Angels, Kansas City Royals, before finishing his career with the Red Sox. Known as a contact slap hitter and according to Baseball-Reference.com, he finished his career with a .289 batting average with 174 homers and 1208 RBI.

So where does this all fit in with the Mets? Well, he was the first baseman for the Boston Red Sox during Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. In the bottom of the 10th inning, Mets are trailed 5-4 with runners at first and third, two outs, and Mookie Wilson is at the plate.

Boston’s relief pitcher, Bob Stanley threw a wild pitch and Kevin Mitchell (who was in the locker room when asked to pinch-hit two batters earlier) came in from third base to tie the score. Ray Knight advanced to second base on the play.

Stanley delivered the pitch and Mookie Wilson hit a soft groundball towards the first baseman, Bill Buckner. The ball went between his legs and into the outfield, and Knight scored the winning run giving the New York Mets new life and sent the Series to Game 7. The Amazins pulled off another come from behind win and defeated Boston 8-5 to win the championship (Buckner went two-for-four).

Did Buckner deserve the abuse from the Boston faithful? Certainly not! He wasn’t responsible for the wild pitch. Due to his gimpy knees and cranky ankle, Bosox manager John McNamara normally replaced Buckner for defense with Dave Stapleton in the late innings, but Buckner wanted to be on the field to celebrate a Red Sox win. After an appeal from the aging star, McNamara decided against making the change.

It brings a point of a similar situation in the 2006 NLCS against the Cardinals when Carlos Beltran was batting against rookie Adam Wainright and struck out looking at a called third strike on a vicious 12 to 6 curveball, eliminating the Mets. He certainly doesn’t deserve the wrath of Mets fans as well.

Mookie Wilson released a statement through the Mets about Buckner’s passing:

I wondered why it was Buckner that was chosen to carry this burden but he handled it with grace and class. As if the good Lord knew Billy Buck could handle it.

It is ironic he passes on Memorial Day. Not to demean what the real symbol of the day as we honor and remember our fallen soldiers, but it is something for all fans to remember Bill Buckner and his contributions to the game of baseball.

I hope we all will learn a lesson from Billy Buck. May he rest in peace and may his family receive the comfort and love through their time of grieving. We can forgive and move on as fans. The sun rises the next day and we get to continue to cheer our Mets. Carlos Beltran, come home. All is forgiven.