Hall of Fame snubs legend
Matthew Elwood
Issue date: 9/11/06 Section: Features
The Buck stops here, right? Actually Buck has to get there before he can stop. Hold that.
Let me explain.
Fans across the Midwest have been in shock over an oversight, nay an injustice: Buck O'Neal should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Cooperstown, New York, home of baseball's most sacred shrine to baseball history, has somehow failed to induct one of its pioneers. That man is Buck O'Neal, who became the first black coach in the major leagues in 1962, 15 years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.
Buck signed Hall of Famer Lou Brock to his first major league contract but the reason O'Neal is so beloved by the baseball world is his contribution to the game.
Ken Burns' early 1990's documentary on baseball was filled with narration and stories told by Buck O'Neal, who in the early days of his career played on the famous barnstorming tour with Satchel Paige.
Buck, 94, had thought this would be the year, at long last.
Two months ago the induction ceremonies took place and he watched 17 Negro leaguers inducted, but not Buck.
But that smile stays on his face, a face that smiled just as brightly to become the second oldest professional baseball player in July, on a one day contract with the Kansas City T-Bones, drawing two intentional walks and two standing ovations.
His fans know he deserves better and several of them have set in motion to do what they can to help Buck reach the Hall of Fame.
This summer a group of Kansas teenagers rode their bikes from Washington state to Kansas City in the blistering heat to raise awareness for his cause.
"BuckintheHall" is a blogspot website entirely dedicated to entries by three sportswriters about every reason O'Neal should be in Cooperstown.
On that page is a petition signed by almost 2,500 fans who feel Buck O'Neal has been done wrong by the special committee that votes for inductions.
But Buck? Buck just sits and smiles. After all, he's been around the game he loves so much, for so long, what's another year?
Let me explain.
Fans across the Midwest have been in shock over an oversight, nay an injustice: Buck O'Neal should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Cooperstown, New York, home of baseball's most sacred shrine to baseball history, has somehow failed to induct one of its pioneers. That man is Buck O'Neal, who became the first black coach in the major leagues in 1962, 15 years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.
Buck signed Hall of Famer Lou Brock to his first major league contract but the reason O'Neal is so beloved by the baseball world is his contribution to the game.
Ken Burns' early 1990's documentary on baseball was filled with narration and stories told by Buck O'Neal, who in the early days of his career played on the famous barnstorming tour with Satchel Paige.
Buck, 94, had thought this would be the year, at long last.
Two months ago the induction ceremonies took place and he watched 17 Negro leaguers inducted, but not Buck.
But that smile stays on his face, a face that smiled just as brightly to become the second oldest professional baseball player in July, on a one day contract with the Kansas City T-Bones, drawing two intentional walks and two standing ovations.
His fans know he deserves better and several of them have set in motion to do what they can to help Buck reach the Hall of Fame.
This summer a group of Kansas teenagers rode their bikes from Washington state to Kansas City in the blistering heat to raise awareness for his cause.
"BuckintheHall" is a blogspot website entirely dedicated to entries by three sportswriters about every reason O'Neal should be in Cooperstown.
On that page is a petition signed by almost 2,500 fans who feel Buck O'Neal has been done wrong by the special committee that votes for inductions.
But Buck? Buck just sits and smiles. After all, he's been around the game he loves so much, for so long, what's another year?
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