Napa High Alum Bill Buckner, MLB All-Star, Dies At 69

NORTH BAY, CA — Napa High School alumni Bill Buckner, the former Red Sox first baseman whose World Series blunder overshadowed a lengthy All-Star career, died Monday morning after battling Lewy Body Dementia. He was 69.

Buckner's wife told ESPN's Jeremy Schapp of his death.

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

Buckner was born in Vallejo and grew up in American Canyon. Buckner played baseball and football for Napa High School, graduating in 1968 — the same year he was drafted into the MLB by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He went on to play for the Chicago Cubs and finally for the Boston Red Sox.

Buckner is best known for letting a 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.

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

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.

— Patch national staffer Mike Carragi contributed to this report.