THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 9
"IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER"...

September 15, 1986 ... No game scheduled ... Bill Buckner was named American League Player of the Week after a sensational stretch in which he extended his hitting streak to eight games. For the week, he had six home runs, 13 RBIs and 33 total bases while batting .438 and slugging 1.031. He did not strike out once. In the last eight games, Buckner is hitting .417 (15 for 36). On Sunday, Buckner's 18th home run accounted for his 100th RBI, a mark he has attained only two other times in his career.

The Sox will find out tomorrow if shortstop Spike Owen has recovered enough to resume playing. He was injured on Saturday in a collision with Jim Rice. Owen was suffering from stiffness in his neck and shoulder area, and didn't play in Sunday's 11-5 loss to New York.

Wade Boggs will be trying to extend his 16-game hitting streak in which he has hit .412 (28 for 68).