RIP Bill Buckner

Even without Game 6 (I know, difficult to wave away) Buckner had aspects of his career that would tend to build him up more than deserved. He played for the 1970's Dodgers, the 1984 Cubs, and the 1986 Red Sox. He hit for an empty average before people noticed and had a long enough career to get close to 3,000 and play in four different decades.

 

It is rather bizarre that Buckner's career high in walks (in 153 games) was 40. Didn't strike out, didn't walk, didn't get on base nearly as often as DiMaggio. He's a real case study.

 

The Mazeroski game had 77 plate appearances . . . and zero strikeouts.

 

That is amazing. Truly.

 

1939iMaggio hit .381 32 doubles, 30 HRs and 20 strikeouts.

 

That's amazing, too, truly?

 

1939 Ted Williams .327/.436/.609. 31 HRs, 44 2Bs, 107 BBs, 64 Ks.

1941 Ted Williams .406/.553/.735. 37 HRs, 33 2Bs147 BBs, 27 Ks.

Joe DiMaggio had 52 BBs and a .448 OBP in 1939.

And Ks don't really matter.

 

I did a story on him when I was with the Napa Sentinel in 1990, he was with Kansas City visiting Oakland, he could have said no but he gave me some time, he has HOF credentials, error be damned. As previously stated, he should have never been out there.

 

With all due respect to the guy, those are Hall of Slightly Above Average credentials.