The Legendary Buck O'Neil (1911-2006)
My mother told me this morning that Buck O'Neil passed away a couple of days ago. I've been behind on the news since I don't own a TV. Buck O'Neil is gone; I was tripping out. He became a hometown hero in Kansas City. He was a part of the Kansas City Monarchs along with Satchel Paige during the Negro Baseball League. He also became the first black coach of a baseball team. He was also influential in creating the Negro Baseball League Museum on historic 18th & Vine. The museum is truly amazing!! He worked there as chairman up until his death. It's actually directly down the street from my mother's house.
He was a legend. Whenever I would see him around town, I would become star struck. I always wanted to sit down and talk with him, pick his brain. I wanted to just soak up his wisdom and lsiten to his stories. I'm sad that I never got the chance to meet him. The last time that I was in Kansas City, I saw him getting out of his gold Cadilac in front of the museum. I should have approached him.
It's unfortunate that he didn't make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year, but it didn't bother him. He walked this earth for 94 years impacting this world, giving hope and diginty to African Americans, that's the greatest honor. I hope to follow in his footsteps. I hope that God would allow me to live a purposeful, long life, so that I might be able to leave a legacy that will never be forgotten. Thank you Buck, for showing this world that a life soley based on God can create a wellspring of blessings. You have impacted me.
Thank you,
Raffeal A. Sears
P.S. Check out MSN's video tribute to Buck O'Neil. Feel free to leave comments.
posted by Raffeal at
7:54 PM
1 Comments:
Hey Ra,
Don't know if you know but my grandfather (by marriage) is the executive director over the Negro Leagues and was very, very good friends with Mr. O'Neil. I had the privledge of meeting and being around him more times than I can count. I was always amazed at his joy and zeal for life. That man had more energy than me and never let his age stop his flirting with pretty women- haha.
What's crazier is for us, because he was so close to family I didn't realize how much of a legend I had around me until he passed. I only wished I'd taken the opportunity to pick his brain and learn from him like so many would've loved to do. Anyway, just thought I'd share a bit of my experience with him and confirm that- Yes, He was an amazing human being- RIP Buck...
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