Roger Clemens on the 1986 World Series: The One That Got Away

The 1986 World Series was one for the ages, a battle between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets that remains etched in baseball history. For Roger Clemens, it was a defining moment—one that showcased his dominance on the mound yet left him with an enduring sting of heartbreak.

From the moment he stepped onto the field that October, Clemens was locked in. Coming off a historic season in which he won the Cy Young Award, MVP, and All-Star Game MVP, he had established himself as one of the most electrifying pitchers in baseball. The Red Sox, on the brink of ending their championship drought, needed just one more win to claim the title.

In Game 6, Clemens delivered the kind of performance that earned him the nickname “The Rocket.” Through seven innings, he held the Mets to just two runs, seemingly setting the stage for a long-awaited Red Sox celebration. In the locker room, champagne was on ice. The championship trophy stood ready. Boston was prepared to crown a new champion.

But then, baseball happened.

A series of fateful moments—including the infamous ground ball through Bill Buckner’s legs—turned what seemed like a certain victory into one of the most devastating collapses in Red Sox history. The Mets, refusing to go quietly, stormed back to win Game 6 and, eventually, the series.

For Clemens, the loss was more than just a missed opportunity—it was a gut-wrenching moment that lingered for years. He later reflected on the emotional toll of that World Series, recalling the countless Boston fans who had placed their hopes in him. “You feel an obligation,” he once said. “You want to give them something to celebrate.”

Though Clemens would go on to achieve personal accolades and eventually win championships with the Yankees, the 1986 World Series remained unfinished business—one that Mets fans remember as the triumph that defined an era.

What are your memories of the 1986 World Series? Let us know in the comments!

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