I got to shake hands with history on Saturday....

[Richardo]

Buck O'Neil

There's a traveling museum dedicated to the Negro Leagues that is making the rounds of 27 major league parks this season. It was in Houston on Saturday, and I got to meet Mr. O'Neil (and he autographed a ball for me!) as part of the dedication. What a guy, flirting with the ladies, playing with the kids ("You play ball, son? Go long!") and giving everyone who came by all the time they wanted. He and I reminisced about Pittsburgh (which had two teams, the Grays and the Crawfords).

Gave a great, inspiring speech, complete with a hand-holding sing along ("You white folks sing pretty good!"). When they told us he was 93 years old, no one could believe it. :wow: He said he did not hate because he played in a segregated league - he got to play with some of the best players ever.

Also said that he doesn't hate people ("God made everyone beautiful." (then to a guy in the crowd: "You can be ugly if you want, but God didn't make you that way.")) :D

Great great man. Played and managed the Kansas City Monarchs, and even coached with the Cubs for a while.

If you can get to the Negro League Museum, I recommend it highly. You don't even need to be a baseball fan to appreciate the courage and excellence of the men who played.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/history/mlb_negro_leagues_story.jsp?story=legend

For more on the traveling museum:
http://www.roadway.com/baseball/times_of_greatness.html

[Zuni]

1. wow. Color me impressed

That is really neat. He is a living legend. Many people think he is among the all time greatest ballplayers in any league.

BTW--Bucky, on the Comic strip "Get Fuzzy" is named after him, and Satchel is named after Satchel Paige

[bertha katzenengel]

5. Get Fuzzy -- i had no idea!

Cool!

[Zuni]

7. I have a Get Fuzzy book

where Joe, the friend, is watching the guys and is explaining where they got their names while wearing a KC Monarchs hat

[underpants]

2. Cool

Buck is great. Really entertaining to listen to.

[Richardo]

9. He is that.

What a crack up. To one pretty young thing: "Come over here and give me a hug - I'm your grandpa, you just don't know it." :D

[Bluzmann57]

3. Wow! Now that must be quite a thrill.

Have seen Mr. O'Neil interviewed many times and he sure seems like a gracious gentleman. He was here last year for our newly renovated ballpark, but alas, I couldn't go, due to work situation. But sure would like to meet him and am happy for you. Yes, we are planning a trip to both the Negro League Museum as well as the baseball Hall of Fame within the next year or so. Negro League Museum is a lot closer so it may be first.

[Zuni]

6. I am glad he is getting the respect he deserves

and the recognition that he didn't get way back in the day, when the Major League was all white.

[bertha katzenengel]

4. DUDE!

:wow:

Now, I have a ball that Nolan Ryan pitched (Chili Davis fouled, I caught), and I have a personalized autograph from Reggie Jackson (in a Kansas City A's uni), but . . . Buck O'Neil.

:wow:

[Richardo]

8. Watch for the trailer, Bertha...

...I know you'll dig it. I'll bet it's going to both Baltimore and Washington.

[MuseRider]

10. Bertha

I have never been but it is only 60 miles away. Come visit and I will take you, I have heard it is a great museum. I think it is next to the Jazz museum. I have never been to that either. After that Arthur Bryants BBQ. Come on down Bertha, we could have such fun.