Buckner Got My Vote

Yet somehow he's shown the patience of Hillary Clinton. He's never once gone triple Bobby Knight on anybody. "I've wanted to punch people quite a few times," he says, "but I just figured that'd be more trouble."

In fact Buckner could barely watch the 2004 World Series on TV. "I was trying to watch it with my buddies, but I couldn't even enjoy it," he says. "I kept getting pissed off--them showing that play. I don't think that's what sports should be about. I finally got up and said, 'Forget this.'"

But when the Sox finally won their first title in 86 years, suddenly it was Bill Buckner Amnesty Day. Overnight, Buckner was being remembered for his fine career instead of that One Ground Ball. There was this massive flood of forgiveness that reached him in Idaho: Won't You Come Home, Bill Buckner?

And Buckner's basic reply was: Won't You Go to Hell, Boston, Mass.?

All is not forgiven. Buckner still has to forgive the fans.

"I'm glad the Sox won and all," he says, "and I hope people will stop bugging me now, but they won't. It never changes."

So let's give the poor man a lifetime Sportsman of the Year award.

He's urned it.