On October 25, 1986, the New York Mets were one out from losing the World Series. Boston led Game 6 at Shea Stadium 5–3 in the bottom of the tenth, and the first two Mets batters had been retired. Three singles, a wild pitch and a ground ball changed the ending.
Gary Carter began the rescue with a single. Kevin Mitchell followed with another, and Ray Knight's hit drove in Carter to cut the deficit to one. The rally had developed with two outs, leaving every next plate appearance capable of becoming either the final chance or another step toward survival.
Mookie Wilson faced Bob Stanley with the tying run at third. A wild pitch allowed Mitchell to score, bringing the game level at 5–5. That detail is essential to understanding the finish. The error that followed did not turn a Boston lead into a New York lead; the championship had already been pulled away from its apparent conclusion.
Wilson then hit a grounder toward first base. The ball went through Bill Buckner's legs, and Knight came home with the winning run. The Mets had won 6–5 without Boston recording the third out of the inning. A series that seemed ready for its final celebration instead needed Game 7.
New York won that seventh game two days later to claim the championship. Game 6 remains distinct because of the entire chain of events, not simply its most replayed mistake. Carter, Mitchell and Knight kept the inning alive; the wild pitch tied it; Wilson's ground ball ended it. Remembering that sequence gives the comeback its proper shape and keeps a remarkable sporting event from becoming a one-player caricature.