He made his professional baseball debut in 1887, playing with the Wilkes-Barre Coal Barons of the Pennsylvania State Association.

[1] He pitched in two games, finishing with a 1–1 win–loss record and a 3.60 earned run average.

Buckley would play for several minor league baseball teams from 1891 to 1901.

In 1895, 1896, and 1901, he played for the Pawtucket Phenoms, Bangor Millionaires, Portland and Augusta of the New England League.

[5] He died on March 3, 1942, in Westborough, Massachusetts and is buried at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Marlborough.