Comments on: The Myth of Bill Buckner http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/ In-your-face baseball commentary Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:48:13 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/comment-page-1/#comment-55267 Sarah Green Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:33:06 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/#comment-55267 I do have an authentic, fitted, wool cap, but I find it sort of hot and uncomfortable. Hence, in addition to the aforementioned camo cap, I also have a "2007 Division Champions" cap, a hat with a "9" on the front to honor Ted Williams, a regular cotton fitted cap, a "2003 Spring Training" cap signed by Nomar, Trot, El Tiante, and Johnny Pesky, and two Red Sox visors (one tan, one blue). Are these other variations also unacceptable because they are not the team's real hat? I would like to explore this further. I do have an authentic, fitted, wool cap, but I find it sort of hot and uncomfortable. Hence, in addition to the aforementioned camo cap, I also have a “2007 Division Champions” cap, a hat with a “9″ on the front to honor Ted Williams, a regular cotton fitted cap, a “2003 Spring Training” cap signed by Nomar, Trot, El Tiante, and Johnny Pesky, and two Red Sox visors (one tan, one blue). Are these other variations also unacceptable because they are not the team’s real hat? I would like to explore this further.

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]]> By: Nick Kapur http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/comment-page-1/#comment-55266 Nick Kapur Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:23:01 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/#comment-55266 I'm sorry, but I have to vote with Coley on this one. That jungle camo sox hat = thumbs down. It's the equivalent of the pink hat for guys, and you don't get to get off scot free just cause you're a girl. Wear the team's real hat just like god intended. I’m sorry, but I have to vote with Coley on this one. That jungle camo sox hat = thumbs down.

It’s the equivalent of the pink hat for guys, and you don’t get to get off scot free just cause you’re a girl. Wear the team’s real hat just like god intended.

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/comment-page-1/#comment-55265 Sarah Green Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:54:38 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/#comment-55265 Coley, that jungle camo Sox hat is badass. It makes me feel <a href="http://umpbump.com/press/write-your-own-caption-tim-wakefield-and-mike-timlin/" rel="nofollow">like Mike Timlin</a>. That's got to be a good thing, right? Coley, that jungle camo Sox hat is badass. It makes me feel like Mike Timlin. That’s got to be a good thing, right?

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]]> By: Coley Ward http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/comment-page-1/#comment-55264 Coley Ward Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:42:18 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/#comment-55264 While it's true that Sarah doesn't own a pink hat, she does own a camoflauge Sox hat. And I just can't get on board with that fashion statement. Sorry Sarah. While it’s true that Sarah doesn’t own a pink hat, she does own a camoflauge Sox hat. And I just can’t get on board with that fashion statement. Sorry Sarah.

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]]> By: Andrew Ryan http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/comment-page-1/#comment-55263 Andrew Ryan Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:57:16 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/#comment-55263 I'm glad they asked Buckner to throw out the first pitch - that kind of acknowledgment should finally bring some closure to this nightmare. I’m glad they asked Buckner to throw out the first pitch – that kind of acknowledgment should finally bring some closure to this nightmare.

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]]> By: Keagan http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/comment-page-1/#comment-55262 Keagan Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:51:57 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/#comment-55262 This is the best piece I have read about the Buckner first pitch. It was good for Billy to see genuine fan reaction to his presence, as opposed to what the media perceived it to be. I have always felt a connection with Buckner since my dad woke me up at the end of Game 6 when I was 5 years old so that I could see the Sox win a World Series. After the end of that game was the only time I remember seeing my father cry throughout my childhood. I'm glad that he got to be on the flip side of that passion once again. Also Sarah > Coley. You're welcome, Coley. This is the best piece I have read about the Buckner first pitch. It was good for Billy to see genuine fan reaction to his presence, as opposed to what the media perceived it to be.

I have always felt a connection with Buckner since my dad woke me up at the end of Game 6 when I was 5 years old so that I could see the Sox win a World Series. After the end of that game was the only time I remember seeing my father cry throughout my childhood. I’m glad that he got to be on the flip side of that passion once again.

Also Sarah > Coley. You’re welcome, Coley.

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]]> By: Sarah Green http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/comment-page-1/#comment-55261 Sarah Green Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:44:13 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/#comment-55261 Melissa, thanks. Yes, undoubtedly there are some fans (mostly the aforementioned douchebags) who really did blame Buckner at the time. However, it seems to me that the passage of time has gradually caused ever more blame to shift onto Buckner's shoulders (rather than vice versa), and that this shift can largely be traced to the increase of hype around "the curse" from the mid-90s to the early 00's. People who actually watched the team back in the mid-80s remember Buckner as a very valuable contributor. They also remember that the manager, John McNamara, was in the habit of using a defensive replacement for Buckner *regularly* throughout the season, but bizarrely opted not to for that one game. Yes, they fault Buckner for the egregious error, but they don't vilify him for it. As <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/nesn/wilbur/sports_blog/blog/2008/04/09/forgive_and_forget/" rel="nofollow">Eric Wilbur pointed out on the Boston.com blog</a>, all Red Sox fans completely expected Millar to be replaced by Mientkiewicz in the 9th in 2004. And he was. And the Red Sox won. Yay for smart managerial decisions! Unfortunately, Eric Wilbur is always too quick to blame "peripheral fans" and "pink hats" and assert his claim to True Fanhood in a way that is a real turnoff to me (and I don't own a pink hat and I've been going to games at Fenway since 1982...when I was 7 months old). Wilbur's not alone---a major trope of the sportswriting at the Boston Globe seems to be hating on the fans. I feel like maybe this blatant disdain for their customer base is part of the reason newspapers are in so much financial trouble? But I digress. Anyway, maybe some of these newer fans blamed Buckner, but I feel like a lot of them don't even really know who he is, just the way that they don't know why there's a "9" hanging in right field. They just know the broad outlines: there was a curse, it was bad, it lasted a long time, then we won in 2004, we got to set trash cans on fire, it's really fun to shout "YOOOUUUUK!" and sing along to Sweet Caroline, the Dropkick Murphys are really rad, and Papelbon is a great dancer. Buckner doesn't even really register with them. And that's fine! I mean, you've got to start somewhere, right? No one is born knowing their team's entire history. And I'm sure fifteen years from now, these "new fans" will be complaining about the latest crop of fans. Anyway. Tangent. Melissa, thanks. Yes, undoubtedly there are some fans (mostly the aforementioned douchebags) who really did blame Buckner at the time. However, it seems to me that the passage of time has gradually caused ever more blame to shift onto Buckner’s shoulders (rather than vice versa), and that this shift can largely be traced to the increase of hype around “the curse” from the mid-90s to the early 00’s. People who actually watched the team back in the mid-80s remember Buckner as a very valuable contributor. They also remember that the manager, John McNamara, was in the habit of using a defensive replacement for Buckner *regularly* throughout the season, but bizarrely opted not to for that one game. Yes, they fault Buckner for the egregious error, but they don’t vilify him for it.

As Eric Wilbur pointed out on the Boston.com blog, all Red Sox fans completely expected Millar to be replaced by Mientkiewicz in the 9th in 2004. And he was. And the Red Sox won. Yay for smart managerial decisions! Unfortunately, Eric Wilbur is always too quick to blame “peripheral fans” and “pink hats” and assert his claim to True Fanhood in a way that is a real turnoff to me (and I don’t own a pink hat and I’ve been going to games at Fenway since 1982…when I was 7 months old). Wilbur’s not alone—a major trope of the sportswriting at the Boston Globe seems to be hating on the fans. I feel like maybe this blatant disdain for their customer base is part of the reason newspapers are in so much financial trouble? But I digress. Anyway, maybe some of these newer fans blamed Buckner, but I feel like a lot of them don’t even really know who he is, just the way that they don’t know why there’s a “9″ hanging in right field. They just know the broad outlines: there was a curse, it was bad, it lasted a long time, then we won in 2004, we got to set trash cans on fire, it’s really fun to shout “YOOOUUUUK!” and sing along to Sweet Caroline, the Dropkick Murphys are really rad, and Papelbon is a great dancer. Buckner doesn’t even really register with them. And that’s fine! I mean, you’ve got to start somewhere, right? No one is born knowing their team’s entire history. And I’m sure fifteen years from now, these “new fans” will be complaining about the latest crop of fans. Anyway. Tangent.

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]]> By: melissa http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/comment-page-1/#comment-55260 melissa Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:45:30 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/#comment-55260 Sarah, This is really a nice summation of a rational Boston fan's perspective of Buckner. There is no doubt the media has propagated the myth that Buckner was to blame for the failure to win in '86 but don't you think there have been a great many fans that truly believed this before it was blown out of proportion? I think when you refer to it as a fable it negates the fact that a lot of fans saw that play as the catalyst for the team's collapse. It was such a glaring error that they couldn't see beyond it to the other factors that led to the defeat. Don't you think a lot of Boston fans saw that play as the embodiment of their disappointment? The play wasn't just one error but an example of the fans having their hopes dashed by their beloved team one more time. It is also easier for all to forgive and forget now that the rings have been won. Would this scene have occurred on opening day in 2004? I'm sure many Boston fans share your perspective but plenty were complicit in the media's scapegoating of Buckner. Sarah, This is really a nice summation of a rational Boston fan’s perspective of Buckner. There is no doubt the media has propagated the myth that Buckner was to blame for the failure to win in ‘86 but don’t you think there have been a great many fans that truly believed this before it was blown out of proportion? I think when you refer to it as a fable it negates the fact that a lot of fans saw that play as the catalyst for the team’s collapse. It was such a glaring error that they couldn’t see beyond it to the other factors that led to the defeat. Don’t you think a lot of Boston fans saw that play as the embodiment of their disappointment? The play wasn’t just one error but an example of the fans having their hopes dashed by their beloved team one more time. It is also easier for all to forgive and forget now that the rings have been won. Would this scene have occurred on opening day in 2004? I’m sure many Boston fans share your perspective but plenty were complicit in the media’s scapegoating of Buckner.

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]]> By: Lyndsay http://umpbump.com/press/2008/04/09/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/comment-page-1/#comment-55259 Lyndsay Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:08:01 +0000 http://umpbump.com/press/the-myth-of-bill-buckner/#comment-55259 well said. I was so angry to hear people say we were 'forgiving' him. the media AGAIN completely missed the point! WE were forgiving HIM? how about a huge public apology, and maybe giving him his life back. but yeah, throwing out a pitch and "allowing" him to walk in to a place he has every right to be in should do it. the guy received death threats because of our stupid 86-year drought. oh wait - so now we feel kinda bad about it - so its CLEMENS' fault! blame the guy everyone else hates now anyway! thats convenient. one day we'll "forgive" Grady Little for trusting his ace pitcher in a key situation and turn on Pedro for the whole 2003 ALCS fiasco, right? because we feel collectively guilty for being so stupid as to see one small error or miscue as the ultimate reason everything went south, instead of maybe, I dont know, an entire team letting a game get to a Game 7 in the first place! but really, why is everyone afraid to say where the blame REALLY belongs for the entire 86 year drought- on CRAPPY YAWKEY OWNERSHIP!!! maybe one day the Cubs will bring back Steve Bartman to "forgive" him for essentially ruining HIS life. well said. I was so angry to hear people say we were ‘forgiving’ him. the media AGAIN completely missed the point! WE were forgiving HIM? how about a huge public apology, and maybe giving him his life back. but yeah, throwing out a pitch and “allowing” him to walk in to a place he has every right to be in should do it. the guy received death threats because of our stupid 86-year drought. oh wait – so now we feel kinda bad about it – so its CLEMENS’ fault! blame the guy everyone else hates now anyway! thats convenient. one day we’ll “forgive” Grady Little for trusting his ace pitcher in a key situation and turn on Pedro for the whole 2003 ALCS fiasco, right? because we feel collectively guilty for being so stupid as to see one small error or miscue as the ultimate reason everything went south, instead of maybe, I dont know, an entire team letting a game get to a Game 7 in the first place!

but really, why is everyone afraid to say where the blame REALLY belongs for the entire 86 year drought- on CRAPPY YAWKEY OWNERSHIP!!!

maybe one day the Cubs will bring back Steve Bartman to “forgive” him for essentially ruining HIS life.

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