Buying the Buckner ball

The baseball hit by Mookie Wilson that goes between the legs of Bill Buckner to end Game 6 of the 1986 World Series goes up for auction 31 years ago today.

The booted baseball, which leads to the New York Mets’ improbable 6-5 victory in 10 innings over the Boston Red Sox, originally is picked up by umpire Ed Montague in shallow right field and given to Arthur Richman, the Mets’ traveling secretary.

Less than six years after one of the most famous, er infamous, plays in World Series history, Richman puts the ball up for auction with the proceeds going to charity.

The ball sells for $93,500. The winning bidder: actor Charlie Sheen.