Bill Buckner had an estimated net worth of $8 million at the time of his death in 2019. The former American professional baseball player spent more than two decades in professional baseball and played for five Major League Baseball teams.
Buckner began his MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers before establishing himself as a star with the Chicago Cubs. He later played for the Boston Red Sox, California Angels and Kansas City Royals.
Although he enjoyed a long and successful career, Buckner became best known for his involvement in one of the most painful moments in Boston Red Sox history. His error in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series allowed the New York Mets to score the winning run and became one of the most remembered plays in baseball history.
After retiring from baseball, Buckner moved to Idaho, where he built another source of wealth through real estate investments and property development.
| Bill Buckner Net Worth | $8 Million |
| Date of Birth | December 14, 1949 |
| Place of Birth | Vallejo, California |
Bill Buckner’s Career Earnings
During his MLB career, Buckner earned approximately $3.5 million in salary.
Adjusted for inflation, that amount is equivalent to roughly $8 million in today’s money.
His baseball earnings formed the foundation of his wealth, while his investments after retirement helped him maintain and grow his finances.
Buckner also became a minority owner of a local car dealership in Idaho and lent his name to the business.
Early Life
Bill Buckner was born on December 14, 1949, in Vallejo, California, to Marie and Leonard Buckner.
He grew up in nearby American Canyon with his siblings Bob, Jim and Jan.
His father died in 1966.
Buckner attended Napa High School, where he played both baseball and football. He graduated in 1968 before briefly attending Los Angeles Valley College, USC and Arizona State University.
Baseball eventually became his professional career after the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the second round of the 1968 MLB Draft.
Beginning His Minor League Career
After signing with the Dodgers, Buckner joined the Ogden Dodgers of the Pioneer League.
He immediately showed his potential, batting .344 with four home runs and 44 RBIs in 64 games during the 1968 season.
The following year, he moved through four different teams in the Dodgers’ farm system as he continued to develop.
His strong performances earned him a late-season call-up to the Dodgers. Buckner made his MLB debut on September 21, 1969.
He struggled early in the 1970 season and was sent back to the minor leagues with the Spokane Indians.
That season was particularly difficult because Buckner played much of it with his jaw wired shut after suffering a broken jaw.
He returned to the Dodgers in September.
Los Angeles Dodgers Career
Buckner secured a starting position with Los Angeles in 1971, becoming the team’s Opening Day right fielder.
He hit his first MLB home run in April against the Houston Astros.
Over the next few seasons, Buckner also played first base. He made 87 starts at the position in 1973.
However, the emergence of Steve Garvey as a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman eventually pushed Buckner back to the outfield.
One of the memorable moments of his Dodgers career came in 1974 when he climbed the left-field wall while trying to catch Hank Aaron’s record 715th home run.
Buckner also appeared in his first World Series that year. The Dodgers lost the series to the Oakland Athletics in five games.
He finished his Dodgers career in 1976 with a .289 batting average, 38 home runs and 277 RBIs.
Chicago Cubs
Following the 1976 season, the Dodgers traded Buckner to the Chicago Cubs.
An ankle staph infection led to a change in his position, and he eventually became a full-time first baseman.
The move proved successful.
Buckner became one of the Cubs’ leading players and produced several outstanding seasons.
In 1979, he hit a grand slam during a memorable slugfest at Wrigley Field.
The following year, Buckner won the National League batting title after hitting .324.
In 1982, he recorded 159 assists at first base, breaking Mickey Vernon’s MLB record.
His time in Chicago eventually came to an end after his playing time declined in 1984.
Leon Durham had taken over first base, and Buckner became unhappy with his reduced role.
He famously refused to shave until he was allowed to start at first base for two consecutive games.
Buckner finally shaved after learning that he was going to be traded to Boston.
The Cubs went on to win their division that year and reached the postseason for the first time in 39 years.
Boston Red Sox and the 1986 World Series
Buckner joined the Boston Red Sox early in the 1984 season.
He produced one of the best seasons of his career in 1985, recording career highs of 201 hits, 110 RBIs and 46 doubles.
He also recorded 184 assists at first base, extending the record he had previously established.
Buckner remained productive in 1986, recording his 1,000th career RBI and hitting a career-high 18 home runs.
The Red Sox advanced to the American League Championship Series and eventually reached the World Series against the New York Mets.
Boston led the series 3-2 when Game 6 went into extra innings.
The Red Sox came within one strike of winning the championship before the Mets rallied.
With the game tied, a ground ball reached Buckner at first base. He was unable to field it cleanly, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run.
The Mets won Game 7 and captured the World Series.
The error turned Buckner into a target of intense criticism from some Red Sox supporters. For years, his name remained closely associated with the team’s failure to win the championship.
Buckner was released by Boston midway through the 1987 season.
California Angels and Kansas City Royals
After leaving Boston, Buckner joined the California Angels for the remainder of the 1987 season.
He played 76 games for the Angels, batting .288 with three home runs and 41 RBIs.
He was released early in May 1988.
Buckner then signed with the Kansas City Royals and played for the team through 1989.
During his time with Kansas City, he appeared in 168 games and hit .239 with four home runs and 50 RBIs.
Return to Boston and Retirement
Buckner returned to the Boston Red Sox as a free agent in 1990.
However, his comeback lasted only a few months.
He retired on June 5, 1990, after batting .186 with one home run and three RBIs during his abbreviated final season.
His MLB career had lasted from 1969 to 1990.
Real Estate Investments
After retiring from professional baseball, Buckner moved his family to Idaho.
He invested in real estate in the Boise area and eventually became involved in property development.
One of his projects was a housing subdivision that he named Fenway Park, a reference to the famous Boston Red Sox stadium.
His real estate activities gave him another source of income after his baseball career ended.
Buckner also became a minority owner of a local car dealership and used his name to help promote the business.
Later Baseball Career
Buckner remained involved in baseball after his retirement as a player.
In 2011, he became manager of the Brockton Rox of the Can-Am League.
The following year, he became a hitting instructor for the Boise Hawks.
Buckner officially retired from baseball-related work in 2014.
His post-playing career allowed him to remain connected to the sport while also focusing on his business interests and family.
Personal Life
Buckner was married to Jody, and the couple had three children: Brittany, Christen and Bobby.
Despite the controversy surrounding his 1986 World Series error, Buckner’s relationship with the Red Sox and their fans eventually changed.
In later years, he returned to Fenway Park and received a much warmer reception from Boston supporters. The episode became an important part of his legacy, but it did not define the entirety of his baseball career.
Buckner was a two-time batting champion-level hitter who accumulated more than 2,700 MLB hits and spent 22 seasons in professional baseball.
Bill Buckner’s Death
Bill Buckner died on May 27, 2019, in Boise, Idaho, at the age of 69.
He died after suffering from Lewy body dementia.
By the time of his death, Buckner had built an estimated $8 million net worth, based on his baseball earnings, investments and business activities.
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