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MLB legends inspire IBL Maple Leafs on opening day

Bill Buckner needs no introduction, but he gave one to a group of ballplayers inside their downtown Toronto clubhouse on Sunday afternoon.

"It was the top of the ninth, two outs, the bases were loaded. (The manger) called my name and my heart, to this day, it was pounding," the MLB legend told the Maple Leafs as they prepared to open their 48th season in the Intercounty Baseball League. "He puts me in to pinch hit. All of a sudden, I was going out to hit against Gaylord Perry."

Buckner did not manage a hit in his big-league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco against the Giants on Sept.