Barbershopman
TMF Master
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2006
- Messages
- 841
- Points
- 18
Sixteen years after what many fans saw as a slight, John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Back in 2006, just months before his death in October, he was instrumental in getting 17 Negro League players into the hall. He fell short of the 9 votes needed, but when the announcement was made that 17 got in, he chimed out "How many?" when it was repeated 17, he exclaimed "I think that's wonderful!" I know I couldn't do it, but after his snub, he was asked to speak at the induction ceremony, and graciously accepted.
His statistics were pedestrian, a career 0.258 hitter with 9 home runs. He was a player-manager for the KC Monarchs and led them to two Negro Leagues World Series.
He was the first black head coach in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs and his later years as a scout. He signed Lou Brock to his first major league contract.
He garnered national recognition when he was an interviewee in Ken Burns miniseries on baseball. He was also instrumental in bringing the Negro Leagues Museum to Kansas City.
Buck may not have been that great a player, but his contributions to baseball are immeasurable. Congratulations, Buck, even if it was 15 years to late IMHO.
Barbershopman
.
Back in 2006, just months before his death in October, he was instrumental in getting 17 Negro League players into the hall. He fell short of the 9 votes needed, but when the announcement was made that 17 got in, he chimed out "How many?" when it was repeated 17, he exclaimed "I think that's wonderful!" I know I couldn't do it, but after his snub, he was asked to speak at the induction ceremony, and graciously accepted.
His statistics were pedestrian, a career 0.258 hitter with 9 home runs. He was a player-manager for the KC Monarchs and led them to two Negro Leagues World Series.
He was the first black head coach in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs and his later years as a scout. He signed Lou Brock to his first major league contract.
He garnered national recognition when he was an interviewee in Ken Burns miniseries on baseball. He was also instrumental in bringing the Negro Leagues Museum to Kansas City.
Buck may not have been that great a player, but his contributions to baseball are immeasurable. Congratulations, Buck, even if it was 15 years to late IMHO.
Barbershopman
