An Important Man
I am very sorry to hear that Buck O’Neil has passed away.
Mr. O’Neil was a first baseman with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues —and surely the last great ambassador of that time and place in the history of baseball.
He was 94.
My acquaintance with Buck O’Neil was, of course, through his indispensible work on the classic Ken Burns documentary series Baseball. He was an absolute joy to listen to and learn from. What a national treasure he was and will remain.
It is a great shame, as has been noted by every baseball fan with any sense at all of history or decency, that Buck did not see his own induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. But that is a wrong that will be righted someday soon, I am sure.
Rest in peace, sir.
