Bill Buckner, the former Boston Red Sox first baseman, threw the ceremonial first pitch to open the Red Sox opening day at Fenway Park on Tuesday.

The Red Sox (3-4) opened their first home game of the 2008 season against the Detroit Tigers, the first in a three-game series.

Buckner, who threw the pitch to former teammate Dwight Evans, is most remembered for allowing Mookie Wilson's grounder to pass through his legs in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. The play led to Ray Knight scoring the winning run for the Mets to clinch the World Series.

For years after the play, Buckner was tormented for his error and was considered part of the "Curse of the Bambino", which meant the Red Sox had not won the World Series since they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.

However, Buckner received a roaring standing ovation during the ceremonial pitch.

Buckner accumulated 2,715 hits and 1,208 RBIs over his 21-year career in which he played for five different Major League teams. He won the National League batting title with the Cubs in 1980 with an average of .324, and he was named to the NL All-Star Team in 1981.