Bill Buckner Net Worth

What was Bill Buckner's Net Worth?

Bill Buckner was a retired American professional baseball player with a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death in 2019. From 1969 to 1990, Buckner played for five MLB teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, California Angels, and Kansas City Royals. Notably, during his tenure with the Red Sox, he infamously made a critical error in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

After retiring, Bill moved to Idaho where he became a successful real estate investor, even developing a housing subdivision named "Fenway Park".

Bill Buckner passed away on May 27, 2019, at the age of 69, after suffering from Lewy Body Dementia.

Career Earnings

During his career, Bill Buckner earned around $3.5 million in total salary, equivalent to about $8 million after adjusting for inflation.

Early Life and Education

Bill Buckner was born on December 14, 1949, in Vallejo, California, to Marie and Leonard. He was raised in American Canyon, California, alongside his siblings Bob, Jim, and Jim's twin sister Jan. His father passed away in 1966. Buckner attended Napa High School, where he played both baseball and football, graduating in 1968. He briefly attended Los Angeles Valley College, USC, and Arizona State University.

Minor League Career

In the 1968 MLB draft, Buckner was selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He began his professional career with the Ogden Dodgers of the Pioneer League, hitting .344 with four home runs and 44 RBI in 64 games during the 1968 season. Buckner advanced quickly through the Dodgers' farm system, and made his MLB debut on September 21, 1969. Despite struggling early in the 1970 season and suffering a broken jaw, he returned to the Dodgers later that year.

Los Angeles Dodgers

In 1971, Buckner secured a starting job with the Dodgers as the team's opening-day right fielder. He hit his first career home run in April of that year. Buckner later transitioned to first base, making 87 starts in 1973. With the emergence of Steve Garvey as a Gold Glove first baseman, Buckner moved back to left field. In 1974, he nearly caught Hank Aaron's record 715th home run. Buckner appeared in the 1974 World Series, though the Dodgers lost to the Oakland Athletics. He left the Dodgers in 1976 with a .289 batting average, 38 home runs, and 277 RBI.

Chicago Cubs

Traded to the Chicago Cubs after the 1976 season, Buckner transitioned back to first base due to an ankle staph infection. With the Cubs, he gained prominence, hitting a grand slam in May 1979 and winning the NL batting title in 1980 with a .324 average. In 1982, he set an MLB record for assists at first base with 159. Disgruntled with declining playing time in 1984, Buckner vowed not to shave until he got consistent playtime. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox the same year, which led to increased opportunities for the Cubs, who went on to win their division.

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Boston Red Sox, 1984-1987

Buckner was acquired by the Boston Red Sox early in the 1984 season. In 1985, he had career highs of 110 RBI, 201 hits, and 46 doubles, setting another record with 184 assists. In 1986, he achieved his 1,000th career RBI and hit a career-high 18 home runs. The Red Sox reached the 1986 World Series but lost to the Mets, largely due to Buckner's critical error. His mistake made him a villain among Red Sox fans, symbolizing the so-called "Curse of the Bambino." He was released midway through the 1987 season.

California Angels

Buckner signed with the California Angels after his release from the Red Sox and played the remainder of the 1987 season. He continued with the team until May 1988, hitting .288 with three home runs and 41 RBI in 76 total games.

Kansas City Royals

In 1988, Buckner joined the Kansas City Royals, playing through the 1989 season in 168 games, hitting .239 with four home runs and 50 RBI.

Boston Red Sox, 1990

Bill Buckner returned to the Boston Red Sox in 1990 as a free agent but retired on June 5 that year. During his brief return, he batted .186 with one home run and three RBI.

Post-Playing Career

Following his MLB retirement, Buckner moved to Idaho and invested in real estate in the Boise area. He became a minority owner of a local car dealership and managed the Can-Am League's Brockton Rox in 2011. In 2012, he served as the hitting instructor for the Boise Hawks, retiring from baseball entirely in 2014.