Bill Buckner played parts of four different decades in the big leagues
Selected in the second round of the 1968, Bill Buckner began his career in professional baseball when he signed with the Dodgers as an 18-year old. Shown here is that contract, dated June 21st, 1968. The contract calls for Buckner to make a measly $500 per month while playing for the Rookie League Ogden Baseball Club in the Pioneer League.
Bill Buckner played parts of four different decades in the big leagues
Selected in the second round of the 1968, Bill Buckner began his career in professional baseball when he signed with the Dodgers as an 18-year old. Shown here is that contract, dated June 21st, 1968. The contract calls for Buckner to make a measly $500 per month while playing for the Rookie League Ogden Baseball Club in the Pioneer League.
Buckner played 64 games for Ogden that season and hit .344, earning a promotion to Triple-A Spokane for ’69. Buckner’s ascent to the Majors continued as he hit .315 in Triple-A. The Dodgers rewarded Buckner with a September call up.
In parts of 8 seasons in Los Angeles, Buckner hit .289. Smart on the base paths, Buckner stole 31 bases for the 1974 pennant-winning Dodgers. That same season he hit .314.
In January, 1977, Los Angeles shipped him to the Cubs in exchange for Rick Monday. In Chicago, Buckner blossomed. Switching to first base from the outfield, Buckner hit exactly .300 in more than 4,000 plate appearances with the Cubs.
In 1980, Buckner won the National League batting crown. The following season he led the Senior Circuit in doubles for the first time. Chicago traded future Buckner for future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley in late May, 1984.
is first full season in Boston, Buckner hit .299, matching a career high with 16 homers, and drove in a career-best 110 runs. In ’86, he helped push the Red Sox to the post season. Buckner reached the century mark in RBI for the third and final time of his career.
The same season he established a new career high with 18 homers. On June 5, 1986 Buckner drove in the 1,000th run of his career.
Despite the fine offensive numbers, Buckner will forever be remembered for something else in ’86. That moment came in Game 6 of the World Series against the Mets. In the 10th inning with the Sox needing just one more out to clinch their first World Championship since 1918, Buckner allowed a Mookie Wilson’s ground ball to get by him.
The winning run scored. New York went on to win the game and Game 7 two days later.
Boston fans were merciless on the former batting champion. Buckner could not escape their scorn. Fans heckled him. Buckner even received death threats.
The Red Sox released him on the 23rd of July; the Angels signed him five days later. He hit .306 the rest of the season with the Halos, but the team released him in May, 1988.
Buckner signed with Kansas City for whom he’d play until the end of the ’89 season. Buckner rejoined the Red Sox in 1990 and played 22 games before ending his career.
The former All Star and two-time pennant winner ended his career with 2,715 career hits. The total is more than that of Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, and Joe DiMaggio.
When Buckner signed his first professional contract he was 18 years old
The 1968 draft by the Dodgers was one of the greatest in professional sports history. Los Angeles drafted former batting champ Bill Buckner, 1974 MVP Steve Garvey, 194-game winner Doyle Alexander, and former All Stars Ron Cey and Davey Lopes.
Buckner signed on June 21, 1968. Shown here is the signat
When Buckner signed his first professional contract he was 18 years old
The 1968 draft by the Dodgers was one of the greatest in professional sports history. Los Angeles drafted former batting champ Bill Buckner, 1974 MVP Steve Garvey, 194-game winner Doyle Alexander, and former All Stars Ron Cey and Davey Lopes.
Buckner signed on June 21, 1968. Shown here is the signature page of that contract. Not only has the former second-round pick signed it but so has his mother.
Billy Buck would play only three seasons in the minor leagues before embarking on a 22-year odyssey in the Major Leagues. He lasted all of 64 games with the Ogden club for which this contract is signed. In 281 career minor league games, Buckner hit .352.
Club contract from the start of a player’s career are especially difficult to find.
At 19 years old, Buckner played winter ball in the Dominican and Venezuela
In the collection is this passport issued by the United States to baseball star Bill Buckner during his teen years. Dated just 18 days after Buckner played his final game of the 1970 season, this official document was issued on October 19, 1970.
Buckner used this passport to player winter ball in th
At 19 years old, Buckner played winter ball in the Dominican and Venezuela
In the collection is this passport issued by the United States to baseball star Bill Buckner during his teen years. Dated just 18 days after Buckner played his final game of the 1970 season, this official document was issued on October 19, 1970.
Buckner used this passport to player winter ball in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
Though his status as a rookie was still intact, Buckner was a veteran of 29 big league games when the passport became legal two months before his 20th birthday.
The former batting champion has signed the inside of the passport multiple times. Buckner enjoyed an outstanding career while playing for the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Angels, Royals during his 22-year MLB career.
Along the way he was an All Star, a batting champ, and the owner of 2,715 career hits — more than Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, or Mickey Mantle. Personal items such as official passports rarely reach the memorabilia market.
Here is the signature page of Bill Buckner's 1970 personal US passport
A picture of 19-year old Bill Buckner adorns the inside page of the player’s USA passport issued in 1970. Buckner has signed his more familiar autograph with his first name. The inside of the document is an international certificate of vaccination with a more formal and legal, “William J
Here is the signature page of Bill Buckner's 1970 personal US passport
A picture of 19-year old Bill Buckner adorns the inside page of the player’s USA passport issued in 1970. Buckner has signed his more familiar autograph with his first name. The inside of the document is an international certificate of vaccination with a more formal and legal, “William J. Buckner”.
Buckner wasted no time in putting the passport to use. It has an October 21st stamp from the Dominican Republic just two days after the passport was issued. His exit from the Dominican appears to be a month later on November 21, 1970. From there he visited Venezuela where he left on December 29 of the same year.
The passport has no more stamps until 1974 when Buckner visited Japan in November of 1974 for two weeks. The document with a October 18, 1975 expiration date provides an interesting insight early in the career of one of baseball’s most memorable players.
Buckner signed with Topps Chewing Gum six months after his 18th birthday
Topps approached Bill Buckner with a contract to appear on baseball cards. Imagine the thoughts running threw his head, just six months after his 18th birthday. In the collection is the contract Buckner signed to first appear on the cardboard keepsakes.
Buckner’s signature appears next to Top
Buckner signed with Topps Chewing Gum six months after his 18th birthday
Topps approached Bill Buckner with a contract to appear on baseball cards. Imagine the thoughts running threw his head, just six months after his 18th birthday. In the collection is the contract Buckner signed to first appear on the cardboard keepsakes.
Buckner’s signature appears next to Topps executive Sy Berger where both have dated it 6/28/1968. Berger is credited with designing the 1952 Topps set and was honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988.
Buckner tried to forge his mom's signature for consent when he signed with Topps
On the back side of the contract is the parents consent signature line. Because of Buckner’s age, he would need one of his parents to grant permission to sign the contract.
It appears Buckner has written his mother’s name on the signature line. It’s easy to picture an 18-year old c
Buckner tried to forge his mom's signature for consent when he signed with Topps
On the back side of the contract is the parents consent signature line. Because of Buckner’s age, he would need one of his parents to grant permission to sign the contract.
It appears Buckner has written his mother’s name on the signature line. It’s easy to picture an 18-year old coming up with this “solution”.
His printing has been crossed out and his mother has signed the consent above it.
Buckner played his first eight Major League seasons in Los Angeles
Bill Buckner’s first contract with Topps was for a five-year term. Though it did not expire until 1973, Topps signed Buckner to an extension in ’69.
Shown here is that first contract extension that Buckner signed with the Topps Chewing Gum company. One can imagine how excited the 19-year old Buckner was in 1969.
Drafted by the Dodgers in 1968,
Buckner played his first eight Major League seasons in Los Angeles
Bill Buckner’s first contract with Topps was for a five-year term. Though it did not expire until 1973, Topps signed Buckner to an extension in ’69.
Shown here is that first contract extension that Buckner signed with the Topps Chewing Gum company. One can imagine how excited the 19-year old Buckner was in 1969.
Drafted by the Dodgers in 1968, Buckner spent his first 8 MLB seasons in Los Angeles. During that time, he hit .289 and tallied exactly 1,100 total bases.
Bill Buckner debut on 9/21/69; this ticket admitted a lucky fan to that game
This ticket gained one lucky fan admission to Bill Buckner’s MLB debut on September 21, 1969. Buckner went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in a game that was started by two Hall of Fame pitchers, the Giants’ Gaylord Perry and the Dodgers’ Jim Bunning.
This game was the only contest he
Bill Buckner debut on 9/21/69; this ticket admitted a lucky fan to that game
This ticket gained one lucky fan admission to Bill Buckner’s MLB debut on September 21, 1969. Buckner went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in a game that was started by two Hall of Fame pitchers, the Giants’ Gaylord Perry and the Dodgers’ Jim Bunning.
This game was the only contest he appeared in until 1970. Buckner did not exceed the rookie threshold for games until ’71. By the time he retired in 1990, Buckner played in over 2,500 games.
Billy Buck signed earned one cent each time a souvenir baseball with his signature was sold
Souvenir stands in baseball stadiums across America carry baseballs with the stamped autographs of the members of the home team. To have their signatures appear on such balls, players sign contracts with the Autographed Baseball Company. Shown here is Buckner’s contract with the company.
Dated
Billy Buck signed earned one cent each time a souvenir baseball with his signature was sold
Souvenir stands in baseball stadiums across America carry baseballs with the stamped autographs of the members of the home team. To have their signatures appear on such balls, players sign contracts with the Autographed Baseball Company. Shown here is Buckner’s contract with the company.
Dated March 5, 1970, this contract calls for the Dodger player to receive one cent per ball sold. Before the free-agency era, every additional source of income helped players make a living.
Five examples of Buckner’s signatures appear on this paper.
Bill Buckner first appeared on this baseball card for Topps Chewing Gum
The first Bill Buckner baseball card from the 1970 Topps set is shown here. This card is titled “1970 Rookie Stars” and also features Jack Jenkins.
Buckner was a star in the making by 1970. He played in 22 big league seasons. Jenkins pitched in eight games in his career, going winless. H
Bill Buckner first appeared on this baseball card for Topps Chewing Gum
The first Bill Buckner baseball card from the 1970 Topps set is shown here. This card is titled “1970 Rookie Stars” and also features Jack Jenkins.
Buckner was a star in the making by 1970. He played in 22 big league seasons. Jenkins pitched in eight games in his career, going winless. He went 1-for-7 with five strikeouts as a hitter.
The card is signed by Buckner across the bottom half of the front.
Topps Chewing Gum pays a little less than you think to have players appear on baseball cards
The first year Bill Buckner played in as many as 100 games was 1971. The Major League minimum salary that season was $12,750.
Many big leaguers making the minimum had off-season jobs to help augment their income. They welcomed any endorsement opportunities. Shown here is a pair of checks made out to
Topps Chewing Gum pays a little less than you think to have players appear on baseball cards
The first year Bill Buckner played in as many as 100 games was 1971. The Major League minimum salary that season was $12,750.
Many big leaguers making the minimum had off-season jobs to help augment their income. They welcomed any endorsement opportunities. Shown here is a pair of checks made out to Buckner from Topps Chewing gum.
The top check is dated April 7, 1971 just 31 games into Buckner’s career. The $250 from Topps was welcomed by Buckner as was the $75 he received two months later.
1971 Topps Chewing Gum Sports Department checks endorsed by Bill Buckner
Many autograph collectors seek signed checks. The checks provide context to the autograph. The back of the 1971 checks from Topps to Buckner are shown here endorsed by the player.
Then 21 years old, Buckner has signed his first, middle, and last name to the back of the check.
Signatures from early i
1971 Topps Chewing Gum Sports Department checks endorsed by Bill Buckner
Many autograph collectors seek signed checks. The checks provide context to the autograph. The back of the 1971 checks from Topps to Buckner are shown here endorsed by the player.
Then 21 years old, Buckner has signed his first, middle, and last name to the back of the check.
Signatures from early in a player’s career are more attractive to collectors and generally more difficult to obtain.
The year he signed this contract, Buckner struck out 19 times in 405 plate appearances
The year following the two Topps checks above, Buckner signed another contract extension. This one calls for $75 and is signed on March 3, 1972.
Here Buckner signs a more familiar, “Bill Buckner”. The 1972 season would see Buckner produce a .319 average and strike out only 19 times in 40
The year he signed this contract, Buckner struck out 19 times in 405 plate appearances
The year following the two Topps checks above, Buckner signed another contract extension. This one calls for $75 and is signed on March 3, 1972.
Here Buckner signs a more familiar, “Bill Buckner”. The 1972 season would see Buckner produce a .319 average and strike out only 19 times in 405 plate appearances.
In 1973 Buckner had no product endorsements of any kind
The Major League Baseball Players Association sent out questionnaires like this one to its members. The MLBPA wanted to determine what endorsements each man had.
Today’s players complement their baseball salary with off field endorsement. That wasn’t always the case. This document filled out by
In 1973 Buckner had no product endorsements of any kind
The Major League Baseball Players Association sent out questionnaires like this one to its members. The MLBPA wanted to determine what endorsements each man had.
Today’s players complement their baseball salary with off field endorsement. That wasn’t always the case. This document filled out by Bill Buckner in 1973 shows him to have no endorsements whatsoever.
Times have changed since then. In the 70’s the Major League minimum was never more than $16,000. It wasn’t until 1990 that the minimum reached six figures. In 2015 it finally eclipsed the half-million dollar mark.
Notice Buckner’s signature at the bottom of the 1973 MLBPA endorsement questionnaire. Just below his autograph, Buckner has written, “LA Dodgers”, the club with which he spent his first eight Major League seasons.
Buckner stole a career-high 31 bags during the '74 pennant-winning year
Bill Buckner played a key part on pennant-winning teams from each league. Baseball fans forever remember his role with the 1986 Red Sox. Many forget his National League championship that came in 1974 with the Dodgers.
That season Billy Buck hit .314 with 30 doubles, and a career-high 31 stolen bases
Buckner stole a career-high 31 bags during the '74 pennant-winning year
Bill Buckner played a key part on pennant-winning teams from each league. Baseball fans forever remember his role with the 1986 Red Sox. Many forget his National League championship that came in 1974 with the Dodgers.
That season Billy Buck hit .314 with 30 doubles, and a career-high 31 stolen bases. His performance earned votes in the NL MVP ballot.
Dodgers Jimmy Wynn and and Steve Garvey also garnered support for the award. Traded to the Dodgers in December, 1973, Wynn made an immediate impact in ’74. Known for his power and ability to get on base, Wynn slugged 32 homers and drive in 108 runs.
His 151 OPS+ and 7.7 WAR reflected production that helped propel the Dodgers to the National League pennant. Wynn added a much-needed spark to an already potent lineup.
Garvey added 200 hits, 21 homers, and 111 RBI to capture the NL MVP Award. Interestingly his 5.4 WAR placed 4th on his own team.
The picture above is autographed by all three men.
This is the original artwork for the back of Buckner's 1975 Topps baseball card
This artwork appeared on the back of Buckner’s 1975 Topps card. The question revolves around the Dodger franchise that Buckner played for that year.
Do you know the year of Brooklyn’s only championship? Would you have gotten the trivia question right? The answer of course is 1955 when the Bums bested
This is the original artwork for the back of Buckner's 1975 Topps baseball card
This artwork appeared on the back of Buckner’s 1975 Topps card. The question revolves around the Dodger franchise that Buckner played for that year.
Do you know the year of Brooklyn’s only championship? Would you have gotten the trivia question right? The answer of course is 1955 when the Bums bested the New York Yankees.
Buckner's last year in LA was 1976; the next year he was traded for Rick Monday
Yet another Topps extension, this one for 1976. Buckner goes back to his more formal, “William Joseph Buckner” on 3/25/1976. The ’76 campaign would be Buckner’s last with the Dodgers before being traded to the Chicago Cubs for Rick Monday.
The trade helped both players and cl
Buckner's last year in LA was 1976; the next year he was traded for Rick Monday
Yet another Topps extension, this one for 1976. Buckner goes back to his more formal, “William Joseph Buckner” on 3/25/1976. The ’76 campaign would be Buckner’s last with the Dodgers before being traded to the Chicago Cubs for Rick Monday.
The trade helped both players and clubs. Buckner won the 1980 batting title with the Cubs and was a Chicago favorite during his eight years with the club. Monday helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series.
In 1980 Buckner wore the NL batting crown; George Brett led the AL
Buckner was among the games best hitters and toughest to strike out. In 1980 he won the National League batting crown. This Topps card show him with George Brett, the American League batting champ and is signed by both.
Buckner appeared in the 1981 All Star game and in the World Series in 1975 and 1
In 1980 Buckner wore the NL batting crown; George Brett led the AL
Buckner was among the games best hitters and toughest to strike out. In 1980 he won the National League batting crown. This Topps card show him with George Brett, the American League batting champ and is signed by both.
Buckner appeared in the 1981 All Star game and in the World Series in 1975 and 1986.
Buckner played in all 162 games only once in his career - in Boston in 1985
Though he played in Los Angeles and Chicago for eight years each and in Boston for only five, Bill Buckner is best remembered as a member of the Red Sox. In the collection is a payroll check from the Sox dated May 7, 1985.
That season, Buckner played in all 162 games for the only time in his career
Buckner played in all 162 games only once in his career - in Boston in 1985
Though he played in Los Angeles and Chicago for eight years each and in Boston for only five, Bill Buckner is best remembered as a member of the Red Sox. In the collection is a payroll check from the Sox dated May 7, 1985.
That season, Buckner played in all 162 games for the only time in his career and posted a career high 110 RBI.
This is Buckner's final contract with Topps Chewing Gum, good through the 1990 season
On this Topps contract extension, Buckner offers a variation of his signature, penning, “William J Buckner”. This is dated July 26, 1987, two days before the Red Sox traded him to the Angels.
Buckner’s ’87 MLB players contract with the Halos is shown in the next image.
This is Buckner's final contract with Topps Chewing Gum, good through the 1990 season
On this Topps contract extension, Buckner offers a variation of his signature, penning, “William J Buckner”. This is dated July 26, 1987, two days before the Red Sox traded him to the Angels.
Buckner’s ’87 MLB players contract with the Halos is shown in the next image.
After his release from Boston in '87, Buckner signed with the Angels
After committing the error in the 1986 World Series, the Boston fans were relentless in their poor treatment of their former beloved first baseman. It got so bad that the Red Sox decided to release him.
Within 72 hours Buckner had offers from five other big league teams before choosing to sign wit
After his release from Boston in '87, Buckner signed with the Angels
After committing the error in the 1986 World Series, the Boston fans were relentless in their poor treatment of their former beloved first baseman. It got so bad that the Red Sox decided to release him.
Within 72 hours Buckner had offers from five other big league teams before choosing to sign with the Angels for the rest of the ’87 season and the following year. Here is Buckner’s contract with Anaheim.
With the Angles, Buckner returned to his native state
The signature page has the autograph of Buckner, Angels’ VP Mike Port, and the secretarial signature of AL President Bobby Brown as signed by Bob Fishel. Contracts often supply collectors with multiple signatures.
Buckner returned to his native California, albeit six hours south of where he gr
With the Angles, Buckner returned to his native state
The signature page has the autograph of Buckner, Angels’ VP Mike Port, and the secretarial signature of AL President Bobby Brown as signed by Bob Fishel. Contracts often supply collectors with multiple signatures.
Buckner returned to his native California, albeit six hours south of where he grew up.
Buckner's final homer never left the playing field; he hobbled around the bases
Bill Buckner hit one inside-the-park home run in his 22-year big league career. It came in his final professional season at age 40. In fact, it was the last homer he ever hit.
The game was at Fenway Park against the Angels a month before Buckner’s release from the Red Sox. In the bottom of the
The game was at Fenway Park against the Angels a month before Buckner’s release from the Red Sox. In the bottom of the fourth with two out, Buckner hit Kirk McCaskill’s 1-1 pitch deep down the right field line.
The Angels Claudell Washington ran to the warning track in pursuit of the ball. The ball glanced off of Washington’s glove before the the outfielder ran out of room and tumbled into the stands.
The 40-year old Buckner hobbled around the bases as fast as he could for a rare stand-up inside-the-park homer.
Though he hit a mere .235 (8-for-34) off of McCaskill in his career, Buckner’s last two homers including this one were off of him.
In the collection is this ticket stub for Buckner’s last home run of his career.
In 2008 Boston fans embraced Buckner as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch
The Red Sox signed Bill Buckner for the final 22 games of his career. The fans’ memory of his error was still vivid. It was an uncomfortable reunion. The story does have a happy ending.
The long-suffering Boston franchise broke their 86-year World Series drought in 2004. Then they won it again
In 2008 Boston fans embraced Buckner as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch
The Red Sox signed Bill Buckner for the final 22 games of his career. The fans’ memory of his error was still vivid. It was an uncomfortable reunion. The story does have a happy ending.
The long-suffering Boston franchise broke their 86-year World Series drought in 2004. Then they won it again in 2007. In 2008 Buckner returned to Boston to throw out the first pitch. All was forgiven and he welcomed with open arms.
In 1968, the Dodgers drafted nine players who would go on to play a total of 148 seasons in the Major Leagues, appear in 23 All Star games, total over 11,000 hits, and club more than 1,100 home runs. The two pitchers from the draft tallied 305 big league wins. Add in six Gold Glove Awards, a batting championship, an All Star MVP award, a regular-season MVP award, a World Series MVP award, and the N.L. record holder for consecutive games played, and it’s easy to see why many believe it’s the greatest draft by any team in the history of professional sports. “The draft of 1968 was historical,” said Ron Cey, one of the players drafted that year. “97% of the cream of the crop each year is supposed to fail. That draft might be the best draft in history with a bunch of guys who played 15 years or so, Bobby Valentine, Billy Buckner, Davey Lopes, Tom Paciorek, Doyle Alexander, Steve Garvey, Joe Ferguson, myself. That’s a lot of guys right there.” Cey failed to include 111-game winner, Geoff Zahn, a Dodger teammate for three seasons. The selection of those players laid the foundation for continued excellence in Los […]
A great tribute to Bill Buckner……flagged by one play with Boston. Met his son, 2nd Baseman, for a games I officiated, College Level Summer League, San Luis Obispo, CA, “Blues”. Was told that his Father was doing well, Ranch in Idaho. Glad to hear.
Forever remembered for one play in the ‘86 World Series. But as a Cub fan I will always remember him as a player who gave everything he had every game he played, and with great skill. Maybe not a Hall of Famer, but among the most revered players of the late 20th century.
Thank you Bill Buckner for making me a better player when I was young, and a better fan than I knew I could be.
A great tribute to Bill Buckner……flagged by one play with Boston. Met his son, 2nd Baseman, for a games I officiated, College Level Summer League, San Luis Obispo, CA, “Blues”. Was told that his Father was doing well, Ranch in Idaho. Glad to hear.
A batting champion with my Cubs!
He should be in the hall. If you say border line hall of famer. Then he is a hall of fame candidate.. Read Scapegoats, my book.
Forever remembered for one play in the ‘86 World Series. But as a Cub fan I will always remember him as a player who gave everything he had every game he played, and with great skill. Maybe not a Hall of Famer, but among the most revered players of the late 20th century.
Thank you Bill Buckner for making me a better player when I was young, and a better fan than I knew I could be.
Loved watching Billy Buck play and hit for my Cubbies