This Amazing Stat Proves Bill Buckner Deserves More Praise as a Hitter and Hall of Fame Candidate

You likely know Bill Buckner, the man whose 1986 Boston Red Sox will forever be known as the team that got closest to ending the curse before the 2004 team finished off the demons forever.

However, that was the tail end of Buckner's career; he retired in 1990, his balky knees already giving way to Dave Stapleton late in most '86 Sox games (he was only on the field late in Game 6, after all, because manager John McNamara wanted him to taste the moment).

No, Buckner was far more than that. He was a Dodger and Cub for a decade and a half prior, racking up four top-25 MVP finishes and, most importantly, never striking out...ever.

Yes, today's hitters wouldn't even recognize a Buckner at-bat. You see, the ball went off the bat there, right at the tail end, and didn't go over the fence. Yes, you're allowed to put it in play.

Buckner disregarded one of the three true outcomes in a major way; if he'd come along years later, he'd have been an anomaly.

In one respect, Sabermetricians probably wouldn't understand why he didn't strike out more often, selling out for power. On the other hand, however, his remarkable on-base ability would've satisfied their wildest dreams.

So remember Bill Buckner for this: not properly recognized in his own time, the man's career spanned parts of four decades, and he always, always, always put wood on the horsehide. 2,715 hits seems like it deserves Veterans Committee reexamination for the Hall of Fame, too, if you ask me.