Most Influential African American Baseball Figure Besides Jackie Robinson

[wolf441]

I'd have to agree with everyone that said Rube Foster. With that said, Buck O'Neil may have been the nicest human being that I've ever met.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by wolf441

I'd have to agree with everyone that said Rube Foster. With that said, Buck O'Neil may have been the nicest human being that I've ever met.

Steve, I am envious. I'd give anything to go back in time to meet Buck O'Neil. Anything. Every time I watch the Ken Burns documentary, I enjoy his interview segments most of all. Not only was he a great man, and by all accounts a tremendously nice person, he was unmatched as a story teller. When he would talk about Satchel Page and Josh Gibson, it was as if he just watched them play. All those years later, he still had that spark in his eye. The man just loved baseball. One of my favorite recollections of his was when he talked about the first Negro League All Star Game, which I believe was in Chicago. And he talked about how everybody got dressed up to go to the ballpark.

I am so thankful that he lived long enough to recount his memories on film. He left a veritable treasure trove of baseball history for future generations to enjoy. I wish I could have met him. I wish I could have just say with him for an hour to talk about the game. Well, I'd have just listened. I stumbled across a book written by Joe Posnanski called Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America. Have you read it? I can't believe he and O'Neil toured America to watch the game at different stadiums...while he was 94 years old, no less. What an incredible treat that would have been.

When I heard that Mr. O'Neil had died, I wept. He was a mighty fine ball player. Maybe not up to the level of Gibson, or Paige, Cool Papa Bell or Smokey Joe Williams. But if there is a way to elect him as a contributor to the game, or a keeper of the game's spirit, Buck O'Neil should be in Cooperstown. He was a National Treasure, and the game will never see another man like him.

[nebboy]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Steve, I am envious. I'd give anything to go back in time to meet Buck O'Neil. Anything. Every time I watch the Ken Burns documentary, I enjoy his interview segments most of all. Not only was he a great man, and by all accounts a tremendously nice person, he was unmatched as a story teller. When he would talk about Satchel Page and Josh Gibson, it was as if he just watched them play. All those years later, he still had that spark in his eye. The man just loved baseball. One of my favorite recollections of his was when he talked about the first Negro League All Star Game, which I believe was in Chicago. And he talked about how everybody got dressed up to go to the ballpark.

I am so thankful that he lived long enough to recount his memories on film. He left a veritable treasure trove of baseball history for future generations to enjoy. I wish I could have met him. I wish I could have just say with him for an hour to talk about the game. Well, I'd have just listened. I stumbled across a book written by Joe Posnanski called Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America. Have you read it? I can't believe he and O'Neil toured America to watch the game at different stadiums...while he was 94 years old, no less. What an incredible treat that would have been.

When I heard that Mr. O'Neil had died, I wept. He was a mighty fine ball player. Maybe not up to the level of Gibson, or Paige, Cool Papa Bell or Smokey Joe Williams. But if there is a way to elect him as a contributor to the game, or a keeper of the game's spirit, Buck O'Neil should be in Cooperstown. He was a National Treasure, and the game will never see another man like him.

Well said!

[Klrdds]

Bill I agree with all you said . My favorite Buck moments from Burns' documentary are: 1. Him talking about Jackie Robinson and the gas station and using the restroom . And 2. The sound of a ball hitting a bat that he has only heard 3 times in his life.
Buck is probably the greatest ambassador baseball has ever known but as its most influential person or as a HoFer as a player unfortunately in my opinion no. However it would be great if he could get formal induction into the Hall somehow. Remember what he said when he did not make it in 2006.... He said he was already in the Hall because Satchel and Josh were in the Hall and that was enough for him. What a great guy. I met him once and it was an experience!!