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SPORTS Tuesday 28 May 2019
Bill Buckner, forever known

for October error, dies at 69

BOSTON (AP) — Bill Buckner, that rolled through Buck- as emotional as it could
a star hitter who became ner’s legs, an error that let get.”
known for making one of Ray Knight rush home from “I really had to forgive,” he
the most infamous plays in second base with the win- said later that day, “not the
major league history, died ning run. fans of Boston per se, but
Monday. He was 69. The Red Sox lost 8-5 in I would have to say, in my
He died after a long battle Game 7, and their World heart, I had to forgive the
with Lewy body demen- Series drought continued media for what they put
tia, Buckner’s family said until they won the champi- me and my family through.
in a statement. The dis- onship in 2004. So I’ve done that. I’m over
ease causes Alzheimer’s- In the aftermath of Bos- that. And I’m just happy
like symptoms along with ton’s near-miss, Buckner that I just try to think of the
movement and other prob- became a target of fans in positive. The happy things.”
lems. “Bill fought with cour- New England and beyond, “You can look at that Series
age and grit as he did all with his misplay shown over and point fingers in a whole In this Oct. 25, 1986, file photo, Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill
things in life,” his family said. and over on highlight reels. bunch of different direc- Buckner misplays the ball during during Game 6 of the World
Buckner won an NL batting Buckner was released by tions,” Buckner said. “We Series against the New York Mets.
title, was an All-Star and the Red Sox the following did the best we could to Associated Press
got 2,715 hits in a 22-year summer, went on to play win there and it just didn’t that was a really cool mo- the error, many in baseball
career. He was long con- for the Angels and Roy- happen and I didn’t feel ment.” Buckner lived in Boi- contend that even if the
sidered a gritty player, a als, and returned to Boston like I deserved” so much se, Idaho, after he finished ball had been handled
gamer who would be wel- for his final season in 1990, blame. playing. He was the hitting cleanly, the speedy Wil-
come on any team. A reli- playing 22 games. Cleveland manager Terry coach for the Chicago son would have beaten
able fielder, too. In 2008, Buckner accepted Francona was the Red Sox Cubs’ minor league affiliate it anyway. Buckner made
But it was a little ground- an invitation to throw out skipper that afternoon at in Boise in 2012-13, owned his big league debut with
ball in the 1986 World Series the first ball for the home Fenway. On Monday, with three car dealerships and the Dodgers at 19 in 1969,
that forever changed his opener at Fenway Park as the Indians set to play in several commercial prop- was a batting champ with
legacy. the Red Sox celebrated Boston, Francona reflected erties in Idaho. the Cubs and played until
Trying for their first crown winning another title. on that experience. Cubs chairman Tom Rick- he was 40. He had a ca-
since 1918, the Boston Red Buckner drew loud cheers “I thought it was kind etts called Buckner a reer .289 average and over
Sox led the New York Mets as he walked from the of a healing moment, it “great ballplayer and be- 100 RBIs in three seasons,
5-3 going into the bottom Green Monster in left field seemed, for a lot of people loved member of the Cubs twice with Boston. Buckner
of the 10th inning in Game to the mound, and made and for him, I hope,” Fran- family.” finished with 174 home runs
6 at Shea Stadium. The his ceremonial toss to for- cona said. “You have to Buckner also became and 1,208 RBIs.
Mets tied it with two outs., mer teammate Dwight Ev- be up here to understand friendly with Wilson, who hit He is survived by his wife,
then Mookie Wilson hit a ans. Buckner said the mo- how people take things that grounder. While Buck- Jody, two daughters and
trickler up the first base line ment was “probably about that happen. I thought ner was long criticized for one son.q

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert recovering after stroke symptoms

tion, a diagnosis or prog- recoveries in Detroit and
nosis. The company said Cleveland.
Gilbert’s family requests pri- Under his ownership, the
vacy at this time. Cavs have gone to five
Gilbert has owned the Cavs NBA Finals and won the
since 2005. championship in 2016, the
The 57-year-old introduced first major sports title for any
new Cavs coach John Cleveland franchise since
Beilein at a press con- 1964.
ference Tuesday at the Gilbert famously wrote
team’s training facility in In- a scathing letter to Cavs
dependence, Ohio. fans after superstar LeBron
His hospitalization comes James left as a free agent
a month before his Rocket in 2010. But the two men
Mortgage is to host De- patched up their differenc-
troit’s first PGA Tour event. It es, which led to James re-
also follows his launch of a signing with his home state
ballot drive just days earlier team in 2014.
to push auto insurance re- Beyond his business ties,
In an Oct. 12, 2018, file photo, Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures founder Dan Gilbert is seen form in Michigan. The state Gilbert has been deeply in-
during a basketball game in East Lansing, Mich. Legislature passed a land- volved in raising millions to
Associated Press mark insurance reform bill fight neurofibromatosis, a
By TOM WITHERS seeking hospital care. after going to a Detroit- Friday. rare genetic nerve disorder
AP Sports Writer Officials with Detroit-based area hospital early Sunday While best known as the that afflicted his 23-year-
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cava- Quicken Loans said in a with “stroke-like symptoms.” Cavs’ sometimes outspo- old son, Nick. The younger
liers owner and billionaire statement that Gilbert “re- Gilbert is the company’s ken owner, Gilbert is con- Gilbert had surgery last
businessman Dan Gilbert is ceived immediate medical founder and chairman. nected to numerous busi- year to remove a brain tu-
recovering after suffering attention and is currently No other details were pro- ness ventures that that mor. Gilbert and wife Jen-
symptoms of a stroke and recovering comfortably” vided on Gilbert’s condi- have propelled urban nifer have five children.q