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Apr 9, 2008 6:07 pm US/Eastern
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Keller: I Can't Forgive Buckner
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
It was a moment of redemption at Fenway Park Tuesday, when most Red Sox fans finally seemed ready to forgive Bill Buckner.
It's been more than 21 years since his costly error in the 1986 World Series.
But some fans still aren't ready to forgive and forget.
It may be hard for many to understand now that the Red Sox have two titles under their belts.
But to some of us who lived and died with a 1986 team that came closer to victory than any other Red Sox team ever had, forgiveness doesn't come easy.
Was that a tear in Buckner's eye as the fans gave him a warm reception at Fenway? That's touching. And there's no reason why Buckner shouldn't be treated with respect.
He's the last guy on earth who wanted this to happen back in '86.
"If I felt like it was my fault I'd step up to the plate and say if 'I wasn't here the Red Sox would have won.' But I really can't do that," Buckner told reporters Tuesday.
But while Buckner says he's over it, are Red Sox fans ready to let bygone errors be bygone?
"I don't even think he's allowed back into Massachusetts, is he?" one fan asked WBZ.
"Time to forget about those things, forgive and forget," said another.
Most Sox fans agree with him.
Our
Fast Track from Survey USA found 82 percent of you are ready to forgive Buckner's infamous blunder.
Only 11 percent are not.
And I'm one of them.
You had to be there, late that October night, already toasting a victory you'd been waiting for all your life.
The '86 Red Sox had seemed like a team of destiny, right up to the moment Buckner committed an unpardonable fielding sin - he didn't get the glove down.
Maybe we can forgive the man, but his crucial blunder? Not so fast.
"I think the only better choice would be Bucky 'f-in' Dent," said one fan.
No, definitely don't bring him back.
If you think it's a character flaw that I can't forgive Buckner, I plead no contest.
But a broken heart is a broken heart.
And for some of us, 22 years and two World Series wins still isn't enough healing.
Email Jon your comments and feedbackEditor's Note: Jon's commentary has drawn dozens of emails from Red Sox Nation urging him to 'get over it,' including one from WBZ Red Sox reporter Dan Roche. You can watch Jon and Dan debate the topic by clicking here.
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