MLB Judgement Play - 1986 AL Playoffs

[Ump20]

Jim Porter wrote Having been a lifelong Red Sox fan (feel for me, fellas,) I do remember this game, this call, and this situation. "Oil Can" Boyd was a big celebrity around here back then, having been promoted directly from the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI, where I saw him pitch on several occasions, just 20 minutes from my home.

The call should never have been changed....

I agree with you on that one.

As to whether or not this changed call was legal, no one was able to find out. The Angels did protest, but since they eventually won the game, the protest never made it to the Commissioner's Office.

By the way, this series was one of the highlights of my childhood relationship with Major League Baseball. It was a good one.

Oh, how I wish now, looking back on it, that Bill Buckner had pulled a hammie or something in this game.

Concerning Buckner's infamous misplay in Game 6 of the World Series against the New York Mets in this same year, rumor has it that he was so distraught over making that error, immediately following the game he walked out onto Yawkey Way and stepped in front of a bus.

The bus went right through his legs.

Being a Mets' fan I can still see that ball dribbling through Buckner's legs. I also read that this one play has had a profound effect on Bill Buckner. Let's hope none of our calls have the same effect. I still think that had Buckner fielded it cleanly Pete Schourek, the Sox pitcher ws never in position to beat Mookie to first base albeit the run from second (Ray Knight) would not have scored on that play.