Bill Buckner Dead At 69

Bill Buckner, the former Red Sox first baseman whose World Series blunder first baseman overshadowed a lengthy All-Star career, died Monday morning after battling Lewy body dementia. He was 69.

"Bill fought with courage and grit as he did all things in life," Buckner's wife Jodi said in a statement. "Our hearts are broken but we are at peace knowing he is in the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Buckner is best known for letting a Mookie Wilson ground ball go through his legs in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, capping a Boston collapse after being on the brink of the franchise's first championship since 1918. The Red Sox then lost Game 7

"I was saddened to hear about Bill's death," Wilson said in a statement. "We had developed a friendship that lasted well over 30 years. I felt badly for some of the things he went through. Bill was a great, great baseball player whose legacy should not be defined by one play."

Buckner's teammates defended Buckner, insisting his play helped them get to the World Series in the first place.

The Red Sox ended their championship drought 18 years later.

Buckner played 22 years in the majors, making an All-Star team and winning a batting title. He finished his career returning to Boston at 40.

Boston honored Buckner with a video package and moment of silence before their game against Cleveland Monday.

"We are proud that Bill Buckner wore a Red Sox jersey during the course of a terrific career that spanned more than two decades," Red Sox principal owner John Henry said. "His life was defined by perseverance, resilience and an insatiable will to win. Those are the traits for which he will be most remembered. We join the baseball world in sending our condolences and our love to Jodi and the entire Buckner family."