Buck O’Neil dies

[proud2BlibKansan]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/special_packages/oneil/15700214.htm

Buck O’Neil dies
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

SHANE KEYSER | THE KANSAS CITY STAR



Singer Ida McBeth sought to recover her composure Friday after learning of the death of Buck O'Neil. Her friend Annyette Mondaine comforted her in her dressing room at the Blue Room. She had stopped her performance and left the stage when informed of O'Neil's passing.

Beloved Negro Leagues icon and Kansas City legend Buck O’Neil died Friday night. O’Neil was 94.

He spent his life playing, coaching and finally promoting baseball. He was a batting champion, a three-time All-Star, and a wildly successful manager for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues before becoming the first black coach in the major leagues with the Cubs in 1962. As a scout, he is credited with discovering and signing Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Lou Brock, among others.

After his coaching career concluded, O’Neil devoted his life to spreading the stories of the men who played in the Negro Leagues. He captivated audiences of all ages and races with stories of Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, and others.

He became something of a national celebrity as the narrator of Ken Burns’ PBS documentary, “Baseball,” in 1994. Since then he became the top ambassador for the Negro Leagues, telling his stories on national radio and television, including with David Letterman.

[Syrinx]

1. the world loses a classy gentleman

He will be missed.

[evlbstrd]

2. Damn. He was a beautiful human being.

My kids and I met him. He was always cheerful and encouraging.
The Negro League Museum is a must visit, but not the same without Buck.
The MLB Hall of Fame should induct him immediately.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Every time I have ever been to the museum,

he was there. He loved talking to the kids. What a neat man he was.

[Jane Austin]

3. I think he was one of Keith Olbermann's favorites.

Bet he does a nice piece on him Monday.

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. Oh I am sure he will

[lakercub]

4. His failure to be elected

to the Hall of Fame was a travesty. I have no doubt they will find a way to get him in. But now, to have to do it posthumously, is disgusting. I have been a regular contributor to the Negro League Hall of Fame in Kansas City. I was actually able to go once as well. It is a great exhibit. I will be donating again quite soon in Buck's honor. He will be missed.

[theHandpuppet]

14. I'm totally with you

The fact that he lived to 94 yet never got to make that speech at the Hall makes me sick.

Sweet dreams, Buck. You'll always be a Hall of Famer in our book.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Oh but he did get to make that speech

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hof_weekend/2006/induction_transcript_oneil.htm

[arewenotdemo]

23. what a speech....

[jobycom]

15. He should be in the Human Being Hall of Fame. Shame on baseball

for not electing him. That was a worse decision than canceling the World Series during the strike. Buck O'Neil has done more to keep the romance of the sport alive than anyone else who ever played, coached, or preached the game. His work on reviving the awareness of the Negro Leagues in some ways finally helped to fully desegregate baseball, not by reversing the horrible injustices done during segregation, but by showing us all that our American culture, segregated though it was, still shared common passions. He let us uninformed white folks finally understand that there was an American culture beyond the ones we saw in the history books.

He was and still is bigger than the Hall of Fame. Maybe they were just worried he couldn't fit into it.

I'm sad. How often do you hear of a 94 year old man passing away and your first thought is that he died too young? RIP, Buck. I hope there is an afterlife, so maybe you can finally get what you've always deserved.

[theHandpuppet]

18. No worries -- MLB is too busy playing CYA for their steroid-laced "heroes"

Buck was a real hero, a fine human being. I've pretty much soured on baseball these days -- too many overpaid crybabies and players whose stats are inflated by steroids. The records mean nothing anymore. Buck was a reminder of why some of us loved a game that is barely recognizable anymore.

[jobycom]

31. I was praising Buck, not criticising the rest of the game. nt

[TomInTib]

6. Play on, Buck

Playing pepper any where you want.

Man, it was fine back then, weren't it?

[stevedeshazer]

7. Oh, man.

Buck was a helluva guy. :(

[Judi Lynn]

8. What a sad, sad evening. Had hoped he could live until after the Hall of

Fame could do the right thing, and acknowledge him properly. People were horrified when they passed over him last year, but he handled it beautifully.

His presence will most definitely be missed. No one will step forward, ever, to replace him.

[Dem4truth]

9. That is a really sad thing.

Buck was always a happy fun loving guy who never let the world and its idiotic ways get him down. He was always upbeat and he will be missed..

[SalmonChantedEvening]

10. He simply Loved.

Life, people, baseball, and never had anything but joyful stories to tell of his days in the Negro Leagues. A man of class and dignity.

Touch em all, Buck....


:loveya:

[CanSocDem]

30. Well said!! (eom)

[cornermouse]

11. 94 is a long life.

He appears to have spent his time well. :)

[Janice325]

12. You will be missed.

RIP Buck O'Neil

[Jacklyn75]

13. Oh no, that's so sad!

He was a great man and Kansas City won't be the same without him. He loved everyone and everyone loved him too! I only wish he would have made the Hall of Fame while he was living, but maybe he will make it now. I don't know much about baseball but seriously, how could they not have let him in many years ago? My heart goes out to his family!

[galloglas]

16. Truly a First Class Act Player

and a first class human being!

[chieftain]

17. He had such a sweet persona even though he was denied

the chance to play in the Majors because of the color of his skin. Even the cold hearted and wrong headed decision to keep him out of the Hall of Fame failed to raise any rancor from him. So long Buck. You have exhibited a special grace that should be a lesson to us all.

[deminks]

20. A wonderful human being. A shining example of the way

baseball used to be, and will never be again. He should be in the hall of fame. I have no further interest in professional sports of any kind. As for college or high school, those kids are just on a fast track anymore, everyone is already selected before junior high, even. It is all pre-determined, there is no 'game'. RIP, Mr. O'Neil. We will remember the way it used to be, and try to pass it on.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

22. Not being a sport fan, I knew nothing about Mr. O'Neil.

Thank you proud2Blib for shining a light on this exemplary human being so that others like me who didn't know him can share in his passing.

[babylonsister]

25. I just learned more about Buck O'Neil in a few minutes than

I have in 50 years. Thanks, DU. And RIP, Mr. O'Neil.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. He was much loved here in KC

I also knew nothing of Negro Leagues baseball until they built this wonderful museum here. And I had never heard of Buck O'Neill until I went to the museum and met him. He was indeed remarkable.

[Burma Jones]

24. Well Done Buck, you did a lot of good, thanks and have a good trip

[MuseRider]

26. Ahhh, so sad.

He was a very cool man. He did live a long life, I hope these later years have been comfortable. He was out and around so much, the man seemed tireless to me. I never met him, wish I had.

Ida looks fantastic! I have not seen her for a couple of years. Wow.

[Gemini Cat]

27. RIP Buck O'Neil!

What a wonderful man. I will miss him.

[leftyladyfrommo]

28. Heaven is really lucky today. He was just the most incredible man.

It will just seem so strange not to be seeing him on the news all the time.

[Love Bug]

29. He was the best thing about the Ken Burns series "Baseball"

Glad to see he finally got some recognition. RIP, Buck.

[lebkuchen]

33. I bought the entire series because of Buck's story telling

I'm glad Buck lived a long happy and FULL life. He's a national treasure.

[Scout1071]

34. As a Kansas City native, I have to say I cried this morning when I heard

the news.

Buck O'Neil was a hero to every single person that ever met him. He had an incredible presence and more class and wisdom than every MLB player combined today.

I don't pray often, but when I got to work today, I prayed with my co-workers. I have never done that before, but I did it for Buck.

Heaven has just received one of the finest gifts imaginable.

Rest in peace Buck. You will live on in the heart of millions. And I promise that I will do my part to make sure you get in the Hall of Fame. I have rarely seen such a tragic misjustice in my life as the commission not granting you your right place in the hall of fame. I'll never forget that day. The day they announced you missed election by one vote. I saw Buck on the news and I sobbed. All he said was "don't feel bad for Ol' Buck. As long as I have the love of you....the people of Kansas City....that's all I need. Don't feel bad for Buck. I have everything I ever wanted." He then went on and asked that his supporters not judge the voters. He said they did what they thought was right and it was time to move on. But I will never move on until he is rightfully in the hall of fame. Shame on MLB and the HOF for waiting until after his death.

[SeattleGirl]

35. This news was the first thing I saw when I turned on my computer

today, and it brought tears to my eyes. He was such a wonderful, wonderful man. I've read his book, "I Was Right on Time". Would recommend it highly.

RIP, Buck, and thanks for all you do. :cry:

[Larry in KC]

36. I got out my autographed copy of his book today...

We've been crying around here all day.

My father was a huge baseball fan, and a baseball storyteller in his own right (OK, not in Buck's league, but still good). Many was the time when we'd go to see the Royals, and Dad would point out Buck to me, happily scouting behind home plate.

So, when Buck came to the school where I teach (one of his co-authors was the father of a student of mine), I had the honor of shaking his hand and getting him to autograph his book for my dad. When Dad died a couple of years ago, the book came back to me, and it's never leaving. As you'd imagine, in those few minutes of talking to Buck, he made me feel like I might be the most important person in the world to him, just like he did with everyone lucky enough to meet him. Sigh.

Just one political note in this: I'm thinking that in this town, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver just might have no trouble being re-elected, what with the fact that he'll be officiating at his good friend Buck's funeral in a few days. Local TV news has also been replaying footage of Rev. Cleaver standing up in Congress last spring to express his (and our) outrage at the slight from the Hall of Fame. A very good man, Cleaver, going to bat for an even greater man.

We'll miss you so much in this town, Buck. Rest in peace.

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. That's beautiful Larry

You should come to our KC meetups!

[Blue_Tires]

37. TTT n/t