A Scapegoat and a Suicide l The Ripple Effect of Dave Henderson's 1986 ALCS Home Run 

RIP Don Baylor RIP Dave Henderson RIP Donnie Moore RIP Bill Buckner RIP Gary Carter

One tragedy missed... Mauch proudly standing at the dugout edge anticipating his first WS appearance. But it was not to be for one of the greatest managers in baseball history.

Probably the craziest post season of all time any sport

This is a well done video. I'm surprised that it doesn't have more views. Keep up the good work man! It was excellent!

I’ll never forget being 😢there for Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS. It was an incredible game!!!!

I was a young bat boy for the Atlanta Braves during the '84 spring training in West Palm Beach. I met a lot of stars during that March (Dale Hubbard, Bob Horner, Glenn Hubbard, Pete Rose, Fernando Valenzuela, Tommy Lasorda, Bob Gibson, etc.), but Donnie Moore was by far the greatest guy on that team. I was a skinny, awkward 13 year old kid with a bunch of curly hair, but Donnie made me feel right at home, giving me some words of encouragement, signing autographs, giving me some gum, and showing me how to use a hair pick, lol. He never "big timed" anyone, and his his kindness and goodness will stick with me forever. Such an unfortunate line of events for he and his family. It shows that even the warmest of people can do crazy things, and how a personal and public life can differ. His wife and kids are in my prayers.

Bill Buckner was a Class Act

For sheer drama, I don't know if that entire 1986 postseason has ever been topped. Another possible goat who didn't get mentioned here was Boston pitcher Steve Crawford. In the bottom of the 9th of Game 5, Crawford fell behind Bobby Grich, 2-0, with the bases loaded and two outs. Needing to throw a strike, he got a borderline strike call on his third pitch and ultimately retired Grich two pitches later on a soft broken-bat liner back to the mound. Had that third pitch not been called a strike, would Crawford--never known for pinpoint control--been able to battle back from a 3-0 count with everything on the line? Or would he have been the guy who ended Boston's championship hopes by walking in the winning run? We'll never know, but what is known is that Donnie Moore would have been off the hook (I never thought he was fully responsible to begin with), Bill Buckner would have never had the chance to misplay that grounder in Game 6 of the World Series, and Dave Henderson's homerun would have been reduced to just that, a postseason homerun among the many. It's amazing how lives can pivot on just one incident.

i just happened to come across this, not necessarily a baseball fan. well written, well edited, and most of all engaging. couldn't stop watching till the end.

The way Buckner was treated was pure horses--t. I live in the Chicago area and had to watch the same thing happen to Steve Bartmann, who had to have police around his house due to the death threats.

Thank you for posting this. I had no idea Moore and Buckner both played for Chicago. It's unfortunate Buckner never reached out to Moore after the Henderson HR. It may have helped him overcome his demons regarding the fact he threw away the chances of California reaching the Series that year. May they both Rest in Peace. Anyway, thanks for posting this up, many thanks.

How am I just seeing this? Excellent work.

A few observations - This was such a hard video to watch. Not because it was poorly done, you did an excellent job and as some have said, it's strange that this video has only gotten a few views. It's hard because of what happened to Buckner in the aftermath of Game 6 of the Series, and especially because of what happened with Donnie Moore. An incredible tragedy and I hope his family are doing well wherever they are now. It still makes me a bit mad to see the treatment that Buckner got because of that error. Had Schiraldi done his job, had Stanley and Gedman not gotten mixed up on that wild pitch, and had John McNamara pulled Buckner in favor of Dave Stapleton as a defensive substitute, this would never have happened. But no, the media and the fans had to pin ALL the blame for what happened on Buckner. Just like what happened with Steve Bartman. I hope Buckner was able to forgive the media and fans for the crap they put him and his family through. From what little I know about Buckner, he seemed like a man of good character. Last, I would never place the blame on Donnie Moore for the Angels losing the Series. Remember, the Angels did tie the game in the bottom of the inning, and they still had two more games they could have won. Moore is responsible solely for throwing that one bad pitch, and nothing more than that. Again, it is so sad that he could never let go of that. Ad a side question, can anyone reading this tell me how the Angels media and fans treated him after that blown save? I have no idea and if anyone does know, I would be interested. Again, a hard video to watch. But you did a fine job, sir, of putting it together. Keep up the good work.

Why aren't Gene Mauch and Gary Lucas equally held at fault for why the Angels lost Game 5 as Donnie Moore? Mauch could've theoretically stayed with his ace in Mike Witt while Lucas failed to get Rich Gedman out when that was his only job. Mauch seemed to panic a bit following Don Baylor's homer off of Witt even though he was still the best option that he had at that point.

This was a sad story and I remember watching it unfold .

I watched this game. Few years later I was driving around Sioux Falls SD when I heard the news on the radio. No explanation needed.

Great video but something you failed to mention that contributed to Donnie Moore's demise was that Angels fans would never let him forget that he's the one that costed them a trip to the World Series. He was viciously booed every home appearance he made in '87 & '88. Every time he stepped on that field he was reminded of that homerun he gave up to Henderson.

I always believed sporting events such as this iconic 1986 ALCS represented true reality television before reality TV became a modern popular title. I couldn't believe what had transpired in this iconic ALCS game 5 during that 9th inning. For a brief moment, I changed channels to view the score of an NFL game on CBS. And during the game, the NFL switched from the game to the studio to announce that the California Angels were only one out away from beating the Boston Red Sox and heading to their 1st World Series. I immediately switch back to ABC broadcasting the game and watch the entire Donnie Moore vs David Henderson duel. I thought this was it and the Angels were going to win. And then I see David Henderson make contact with a swing that didn't appear to be all that powerful. And yet, that ball had plenty of lift and went right over the left field fence. As a fan, I was shocked! I think it was the first time I watched a baseball game of that caliber live on TV. And to this day, I'm still shocked at the repercussions resulting from the ending of that game ALCS game 5. To this day, I consider the ALCS game 5 one of the greatest games in MLB history. As a baseball fan, I felt terrible about the ramifications it had on players Donnie Moore and Bill Buckner.

First time I’ve seen this since 1986. Mauch should have left Witt out there. Still makes me feel sick.

Totally forgot about this,holy cow. Good research on these old school games., great content,keep it up👍

@5:00 I haven't heard Al Michaels yell like that since the "do you believe in Miracles. YES!" call

It is funny, because Donnie Moore last season in 1988, he had a 5-2 record. Bill Buckner was a batting champ for the cubs and Dave Henderson won a world series ring in 1989. All are no longer with us. This is why baseball is both strange and amazing at the same time.

Also want to add the late John McNamara to the ripple effect of this. For all the years of managing in the majors, his ill-advised decision to leave Buckner in the game in the last inning was something he would be forever remembered for and that decision would stick with him for the rest of his life as well.

Great job on this.

Good stuff boss. Bring on the next one. Good job. 2021

Man what a great video, this is quite a story, a tragic ending, i had forgotten all about Donnie Moore and this play off match between the RS and the Angels, you are right the Angels were just one strike away from the WS and it would´ve been their first one ever.

1986, the most legendary postseason in MLB history.

I love this clip. Very true. A ripple effect! It is incredible what one pitch can do and change history and players lives!

How well I remember I think game 6 of the 1986 alcs was the best game I've ever seen. But you know Henderson was getting paid to help win games. Not lose them. But you made a great vid. 1986 world series broke my ❤. Again it was game 6..... strange. After that I knew we were cursed. Like the California angels. Side note 6 weeks later the patriots were playing the rams and Tony Eason hit Irving fryer with a last second t d pass to win the game. Right where Henderson had the ball go off his glove. 👋. Woo Strang that stadium 🏟 played a big roll in excitement for Boston fans that year. The play is here on utube type in 1986 patriots vs rams.

That’s not misplaying a ball. He made the effort and the ball just had too much to go off his glove. Great effort though.

Dave almost did this to Mets in game 6 1986 one of the most incredible innings I have ever witnesses D as as true orange and blue my NY Mets thank for posting your videos they are so uplifting in these crazy times at the present

I can remember watching that game at 11 years old.

I always regretted how much Buckner was vilified. He had a great year in ‘86. He should not have been in the game at that point. John MacNamara had a whole lot of fault for how that game turned out.

Wonderful job on this documentary! Great editing and storytelling. As a kid in the 80's and a Mets fan, I will never forget the 1986 postseason. There will never be another like it.

I was at that game at age 14, box seats right field next to the foul pole. There were just as many Boston fans as there were Angels fans. All but a few Boston fans remained till the end. Respect for the true BoFans, dont really care for the others. Mauch should have just left Mike Witt in the game. After the game I got his autograph along with Reggie Jackson. Although disappointing it is still one of my favorite childhood baseball memories.

86 postseason pure magic surreal baseball comebacks and heroes it was truly incredible

I think, if I remember correctly, that Buckner was not likely going to be able to get to the 1st base bag in time to force the 3rd out, and Bob Stanley was late breaking towards the bag. As a Sox fan, I have never been able to watch that game 6. Just too painful. Even after the historic 2004 comeback against the Yankees, I STILL can't watch that game 6 vs the Mets.

I don't know which Cubs choke is worse, the 1984 choke or the 2003 choke. As bad as both of those chokes were they still aren't as bad as the two ultimate chokes we saw in 1986. The Angels choke in the 1986 ALCS and the Red Sox choke in the 1986 world series. At least the Cubs weren't one strike away from winning only to choke it away which is what both the Angels and Red Sox did in 1986. Those two chokes ruined the lives of former Cubs Donnie Moore and Bill Buckner just as the creator of this video accurately mentioned. Perhaps them being former Cubs lead to their teams losing in the end. Bill Buckner was even wearing a cubs battling glove when he made the error at first base when the ball went between his legs. It was coincidentally the same error Leon Durham made in the 1984 NLCS. Coincidence? The Curse of the Billy Goat 🐐? Former Cubs players playing for other teams in the post season only to be doomed at the end. Who knows. Also I would like to mention Cubs fan Steve Bartman who went through the same hell that Bill Buckner went through because of what happened during the 2003 NLCS. The ESPN documentary "Catching Hell" goes into detail of the aftermath of what both Bill Buckner and Steve Bartman went through as well as the Cubs 1984 NLCS collapse featuring Leon Durham's error which was identical to Bill Buckner's error m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ugOdiF1y2E0.html. Another coincidence was during that same 1984 season, Bill Buckner was traded to the Boston Red Sox and replaced at first base by Leon Durham. When Leon Durham made that crucial error in the deciding game 5 of the NLCS many baseball fans mentioned that if Bill Buckner was still playing first base for the Cubs in 1984 Bill Buckner would have fielded that ball and wouldn't have let the ball go through his legs which is what happened to Leon Durham. Little did we know what would happen two seasons later. Without a doubt there are many profound coincidences that connect Bill Buckner, Leon Durham, the Cubs, The Red Sox and lastly Steve Bartman. The Curse of the Billy Goat 🐐 vs. The Curse of the Bambino and their tragic after-effects on former Cubs and Red Sox players and a Cubs fan (Steve Bartman). The astonishing and shocking theater that took place during the 1986 ALCS and the 1986 World Series will never be topped or outdone. The Cubs do receive an honorable mention for their 1984 and 2003 NLCS shocking collapses, but still second to the 1986 ALCS and 1986 World Series. History changing coincidences indeed.

I will admit ....I'm NOT a red soxs fan but I have to give credit where credit is due ..... that was one heck of a game and Mr. Moore did Not deserve his fate! My prayers and thoughts go out to him ( Always in peace ) and his wife and family !! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Somehow I just knew that there was a Chicago Cubs connection to all of this.

Calvin Schiraldi throwing nothing but straight fastballs to good fastball hitters in Game 6 and 7, in particular Ray Knight, is the most significant cause of the Red Sox losing to the Mets. Bill Buckner’s error doesn’t even come close.

I remember when Donnie gave up that home run. Al Michaels was like, "And the Angels were one strike away from turning this place into Fantasyland". And as usual, someone was made the scapegoat. I am a firm believer that you win as a team and you lose as a team. Then a few years later, he was gone. When news reported his death, they said he was best known as the loser of game 5 of the ALCS. Sad.

Rip

One thing to know about both the 86 bosox and halos, is that the Sox were pretty much the better team than the angels. The Red Sox had Wade Boggs, Jim rice, Dwight evans, Dave Henderson, and of course Roger Clemens. All what the angels had is a veteran Reggie Jackson aka mr. October, bob Boone, mike whit, and of a couple of other guys. As for what the angels would have done against the Mets in the World Series, well I think the Mets would have beaten their asses.

Baseball is serious, and it shouldn't be that serious. By the way, I don't think Henderson misplayed that fly ball. Hd he made that catch, it would have been a great catch. But the connection to Moore, Henderson to Buckner was amazing. I remember watching the series and the NL series between the Astros and Mets. Best post season EVER! And the 86 WS was nuts.

All I know after that WS game 6 not for an instant did I think Buckner cost them the series. But as years went by the media would bring that up over & over. The media truly is evil.

I went to school with David he was a better football player could of easily played pro football that would of changed everything but that’s how life goes nobody knows the future, hard to believe one of the best athletes in school history died so young

Much like Bill Buckner, Donnie Moore is not to blame for Angels losing that 86 ALCS. The Angels had plenty of chances to win that infamous Game 5 and Manager Gene Mauch made some questionable moves like removing Ace Mike Witt with 2 outs in bottom of that 9th inn. Then the Angels couldn’t get a run home with the bases loaded and 1 out in that bottom half of the 9th. Both Doug DeCinces and Bobby Grich took some feeble at bats against a Boston reliever who was clearly melting down. Then the next inning, Gary Pettis came within 2 feet of hitting a game winning home run in the 10th inn of that game but Don Baylor cleverly played him deep and was there to catch the ball with his back hitting the fence.

If only Rob Wilfong ran from First to second on the play home. In the ninth or tenth inning after his single. The next batter hit a single which would have won the game!!!!! I was at the game. It took years to get over that loss!!!!

Gene Mauch didn’t help either. By going to the bullpen twice he took the crowd out of the game. In addition in the bottom of the ninth Jerry Narron,the Angels’ catcher got on base and was pinch run for even though he was hitting .500 in the series.

Moore should have kept throwing Henderson fastballs. Clearly, he was struggling catching up with them. Going with that split finger was way too risky, as that last pitch did not bottom out, and Henderson smacked it out of the yard.

Just getting over Jack Clark the year before and this happened 😆

Even as a 13 year old Red Sox fan, i never blamed Buckner. He shouldn't have even been in the game. All season John McNamara brought in Dave Stapleton for defense late in games.

I mean seriously how were we to know that a Game 5 home run that wouldve meant nothing if the Angels would win Game 6 or 7 would lead to trouble

Donnie Moore should’ve had two strikes instead of one. Dave swung and missed and the Angels would’ve won the pennant. One bad call by the umpire a couple pitches before changed history for the worse. Bill Buckner would’ve rather lost to the Angels than to relive that error

That all mucheals call is second only to 'do you believr inracles' to me

A 97% chance based on what? These made of statistics are laughable! Those who make them have never played a game in their life! Players decide the outcome, not nerdy self appointed expert stat geeks! The world counted us out, but we never did. Ignore the morons, haters and noise, that's the real bottom line to this story, in this game and moreover in life!

actually it wasnt dave henderson who impacted the lives of donnie moore and bill buckner. it was the angels 3rd base coach for not sending the runner on 3rd in the bottom of the 9th with the shallow sac fly wich would of won the pennant for angels and donnie moore would of been off the hook

Buckner was two hundred hits from 3,000. He probably gets in cooperstown if it wasn’t for that one play.

Decent video, worth a watch, but you left a ton of stuff out. No mention of Mike Witt, Gary Lucas or Moore’s finically situation that was later fixed.

You misspelled "forgive".

let me digest this for a few days and ill react

Buckner had been replaced all season long at defense. The loss wasn't all his fault but he should have never have been on the field

i blame the angels 3rd base coach

"I's"

F’in Blob Stanley! And my god, do I hate Ray Knight! RIP Buckner!!

Destiny has irony ....if buckner doesnt start the rally in anahiem in game 5 its henderson who goes down as a redsox goat for letting grichs homer go off his glove...im not gonna say anyrhing would change with moore cause as i underatand it his problems pre dated hendu...

Mauch cost the Phillies the pennant in 1964

And if he played in StL Bill wouldve have always been appreciated