Has this image ever kept you up late at night? Does the picture above make you queasy, make your heart stop beating, or make you sick to your stomach? Welcome to the hell of being a Red Sox fan up until the wonderful feeling of vindication of 2004.

Yes, I'm talking about Game 6 of the 1986 World Series... and specifically the play with the ground ball going between Bill Buckner's legs. And today is the 20th anniversary. Growing up, every time I'd tell someone I was a Red Sox fan I'd hear "1918" and/or "Buckner".

I still remember watching that game in my living room of my parents' house... This was it, we were going to do it!!! The Sox were finally going to win! And then one of the most crushing, painful things possible happens and the rest is history. Most of my buddies were Mets fans at the time, so my phone immediately started ringing... and ringing and ringing. The next day (and 17+ years) had people constantly reminding me of this moment.

After stints with the Angels and Royals, Buckner came back to the Red Sox for 43 more at bats. I was at his first game back in a Sox uniform (opening day April 12,1990 at Fenway - Clemens vs. Jack Morris) and you couldn't believe the standing ovation he received. It was the loudest for any player by far - and this team had some stars and went on to win the AL East. I couldn't figure out if the fans:

• A) felt sorry for him and felt compelled to cheer
  
• B) related to his suffering with their own
  
• C) figured he deserved a lot of credit for being brave enough to show his face in a Sox uniform again
  
• D) were just delirious with excitement to have baseball after labor issues postponed the start of the season by 2 weeks
  
• E) All of the above.

Since this is an autograph community, below is picture of ball signed by Bill Buckner and Mookie Wilson:

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