****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
As I was researching my baseball novel (‘The Longest Walk,’ by Kirk Marty), Buck O’Neil’s name kept coming up. As a baseball fan, I’d heard the name before and even seen him in a TV interview or two. I knew he was closely associated with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City and that he had managed the old Kansas City Monarchs. Something compelled me to learn more about the man. I did. Buck O’Neil had a charm, charisma and manner that was totally disarming. But Joe Posnanski’s tribute to Buck was the best. He distilled his essence. Nobody loved baseball, people or life more than Buck O’Neil.Toward the end of Posnanski’s book, he detailed Buck’s hope and journey to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Of course, Buck had a been a very good player himself, but even he acknowledged that he was not quite Hall of Fame caliber.But Buck’s genius was not his ability as a player, a manager or as ambassador for the game, although those abilities were formidable. His genius was the example he set in showing people how to live a life with grace, acceptance and love. Buck O’Neil had the rare ability to transcend his own life. Injustice, hatred, racism, disappointment and cruelty surrounded Buck’s life, and although he chose not to ignore it, he chose to rise above it. Not many of us are capable of such a feat, let alone actually living it. Buck was such a man. He didn’t make it into the Hall and despite his disappointment he focused on his joy for the other Negro Leaguers that did. He even spoke at their induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame. Buck O’Neil was an old soul of the highest order.For me, baseball at its best can be a transcendent sport while still having its feet planted firmly on the field. Buck O’Neil was a transcendent man while still having his feet planted firmly on the field.The Hall of Fame should establish a new category for Buck O’Neil, induct him, and build a statue in his honor. Baseball’s First Ambassador, perhaps? Then they should declare the category permanently closed.Joe Posnanski’s tribute to Buck was very written and heartfelt. What a privilege it must have been to be a friend of Buck O’Neil. Even if you’re not a baseball fan, I highly recommend this book. Learning about the life of a great man, and why he was great, is always worthwhile.
