by Joe Pickering, Jr., FN BoardFenwayNation just did a poll about Bill Buckner asking this question to the fans: "Should Bill become a Red Sox Coach?" The response was overwhelmingly positive! More than 90% wanted Bill to join Bobby Valentine's staff. All is forgiven right? Wrong! There is nothing to forgive except ourselves. If it wasn't for Bill Buckner's contribution throughout that Red Sox season of 1986, we likely wouldn't have made it into that exciting World Series. Bill Buckner was blamed and few remembered what he did do that season to help his team win. Ten years ago I wrote the following song called: 'Who?' It was all about Bill Buckner—a near Hall of Famer who played through immense injuries with a heart as big as Fenway. I only hope that, if he is offered, and does accept the job he'll will be as good a coach as he was an amazing ball player.
WHO?
CHORUS
WHO LED THE N.L. IN DOUBLES TWICE
WHO PLAYED WITH NINE BODY PARTS IN ICE
WHO WAS THE N.L. BATTING CHAMP TOO
WHO’S BEST REMEMBERED FOR ONE BOO-BOO
WHO OUT-HIT MOST PLAYERS IN THE HALL OF FAME
WHO PLAYED MORE THAN MOST IN THE GAME
WHO HIT THREE HUNDRED PLUS FOR EIGHT SEASONS
WHO WAS GREAT FOR SO MANY REASONS
WHO HOLDS THE RECORD FOR ASSISTS AT FIRST
WHO’S BEEN TREATED THE VERY WORST
HIS CAREER SPANNED FOUR DECADES. WHAT A SHAME
THE GREAT BILL BUCKNER TOOK ALL THE BLAME
REPEAT CHORUS
I STILL WINCH A BIT AT THAT EIGHTY SIX GAME
BUT NO LIFE WAS LOST…LIFE GOES ON THE SAME
BILL BUCKNER’S CLEARLY A MAJOR REASON
WHY WE HAD THAT GREAT EIGHTY SIX SEASON
IT’S OVER AND DONE WITH. TIME TO FORGET
TIME TO REALIZE WE’VE BEEN ALL WET
BILL MIGHT MAKE IT TO THE HALL OF FAME
UNTIL WE ATONE WE’RE IN THE HALL OF SHAME
REPEAT CHORUS
IF YOU EVER COME BACK TO NEW ENGLAND BILL
I HOPE WE CHEER YOU FROM EVERY WINDOW SILL
BILL BUCKNER REMEMBER AND VALUE THAT NAME
A PLAYER WHO GAVE HIS HEART TO THE GAME
(REPEAT LAST TWO LINES…. AND FADE.)
Joe Pickering, Jr., President Writers: Joe Pickering, Jr. & Phil Coley King of the Road Music www.kingoftheroadmusic.com 2001 C (from the CD Baseball Songs Sports Heroes available on digital download)