Game 6 of the World Series. Boston Red Sox versus the New York Mets. Boston led the series 3-2. For those of you mathematically challenged, that means they were one game away from winning the World Series for the first time since 1918.

With Ray Knight on third in the bottom of the 10th inning and the Mets trailing, Mookie Wilson hit a slow dribbler down the first base line. A routine play for big leaguers. The funny thing about routines is that sometimes they're interrupted. On this ocassion the ball magically passes under Buckner's glove, slips through his legs and escapes into right field.

It was an error that has transcended sports ever since.

I stood and stared at the television in disbelief. And I wasn't even a Red Sox fan! I was a Montreal Expos fan. This made me predisposed to hate anything or any team that moved or slithered in the National League east. Those damn Mets! How could they catch such a break!

The rest has been history. A living historical hell for Buckner. There wasn't a more hated Boston sports figure than he. None of us could ever imagine what he went through. They say time heals all wounds but for 18 years (Boston finally won in 2004) the scars had not closed. There was no closure.

While Buckner's momentary descent into The Inferno was an event that traumatized a city, it's interesting to note that a few things about that game and series are ever discussed.

First, the Red Sox pitchers started the whole mess. Specifically, Calvin Schiraldi and Bob Stanley allowed three singles and a wild pitch (charged to Stanley) that set the tone to the inning.

Second, as bad as Game Six ended, the Red Sox did have a shot to redeem themselves in Game 7. They failed. Interestingly, Buckner went 2 for 4 with a run scored in the game.

Third, leading up to the game Buckner was a key player in helping the Sox win the pennant and reach the series final. Ironically, were it not for his stellar play the Sox may not have even been in a situation to win the World Series. Remember Game 5? It was Buckner who led off the ninth inning by getting on base to allow Dave Henderson's famous home run that sent the series to a sixth game. During the regular season in September during the stretch run, Buckner hit .340. Although he hit just .188 in the World Series.

But all that was forgotten in an instant.

Buckner soon became a tragic figure. It takes a lifetime and a career to build a reputation but a few moments to destroy it. Buckner wasn't the onyl one.

In 1994, Roberto Baggio missed a penalty during shoot-out that would have kept Italy alive in the World Cup final against Brazil. Instead, the ball sailed way over the net. The ball spinning away was a metaphor for losing control of a career he had carefully crafted. Baggio, as some may recall, was one of the great soccer geniuses of the 1990s. His sublime skills on the pitch were a throwback to a time when soccer celebrated such brilliance. Yet, highlight reels of Baggio show "the miss" more than they do of his many exquisite plays.

The world does roll threw our legs and sails past our heads.

For Buckner, April 8 Opening Day at Fenway was a chance for closure. What the Boston Red Sox did on this day was something that should send shivers down our spines. The Red Sox celebrated their 2007 World Series title by also honouring championship teams from the the Bruins, Celtics and Patriots to share in the festivities. That in itself was a wicked moment.

It got better. Bill Buckner came onto the field to throw the first pitch. But before he could do so the Boston faithful gave him a four minute standing ovation.

What a great moment.

Closure.

Perhaps the city of Boston could have bestowed some grace and forgiveness upon Buckner prior to winning by saying "Oh, remember the misery we put you through? Yeah well, no hard feelings." That would have been the sensible thing to do.

Now that the curse has been lifted, Red Sox nation have seen the light. They've allowed it to shine on Buckner and welcomed him back into the fabric of the Boston sports landscape.

It's about time.

Bravo, Boston. Bravo.