Longtime Major Leaguer Bill Buckner passed away at the age of 69 after a long battle with dementia, his family sadly announced Monday.
“After battling the disease of Lewy Body Dementia, Bill Buckner passed away early the morning of May 27th surrounded by his family,” they family said in a statement. “Bill fought with courage and grit as he did all things in life. Our hearts are broken but we are at peace knowing he is in the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Although forever linked to the Boston Red Sox for his error in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, Buckner was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 1968 MLB Draft. Bucker made his MLB debut with the Dodgers the following year, though only logged one plate appearance.
He appeared in 773 games over parts of eight seasons with the Dodgers, batting .289/.319/.380 with 121 doubles, 14 triples, 38 home runs and 277 RBI. Upon becoming a regular in 1971, Buckner produced six consecutive seasons with double-digit doubles, and had three years with at least 20 during that stretch.
— Bobby Valentine (@BobbyValentine) May 27, 2019
In January 1977, the Dodgers traded Buckner, shortstop Ivan de Jesus and Minor League pitcher Jeff Albert to the Chicago Cubs for Rick Monday and reliever Mike Garman.
Buckner played 22 seasons in the Majors, won the National League batting title in 1980 and was an All-Star with the Cubs in 1981. Buckner retired after playing just 22 games for the Red Sox in 1990.