Buckner played for a few more years, retiring in 1990 and moving his family to Meridian, Idaho — where most people hadn't heard of him, or his World Series gaffe. It wasn't until 2004 that Buckner finally found redemption, once the Red Sox finally won their first World Series in 86 years.
Time and winning heal all sports wounds — and the fans and media were no longer so angry at Buckner. When Buckner returned to Fenway Park for the 2008 Red Sox home opener, he was greeted with open arms — and a two-minute ovation.
"It was awesome," Buckner told NPR. "The real cool thing about it was the fans ... were sincere," he said. "I think they understood all the crap I went through, and they were always good to me."
Perhaps the fans' sentiment was best summed up by the the next day's cover headline in the Boston Herald: "All is Forgiven."