Bill Buckner made an emotional return to Fenway Park today to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"Probably about as emotional as it can get," Buckner said afterward. "A lot of thoughts going through my minds ... Good thoughts, which is a nice thing."

Addressing the media, Buckner said he was not going to accept to Boston when the Red Sox issued him the invitation almost two months ago.

"I made up my mind I wasn't going to come. Then I prayed about a little bit and here I am. Glad I came," he said.

Asked why he considered not coming, Buckner got emotional. With moist eyes and pausing throughout his words, Buckner said, "I had to ... ah ... I had to ... uh ... Alright, I really had to forgive the ... not the fans of Boston, per se ... I would have to say that, in my heart, I had to forgive the media ... for what they put me and my family through."

Buckner became a symbol for the Red Sox' "agony of defeat" when a ground ball rolled through his legs in the 10th inning of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. The Mets won Game 6 and 7 to take the series.

There will be more on Buckner in Wednesday's Press Herald.

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