RIP Buck O'Neil

GForce · 10-07-2006, 12:27 AM

AP just reported Buck O'Neil has passed away.

A real shame. What a great, great guy.

GH

reds1 · 10-07-2006, 12:35 AM

What an ambassador to the game and a downright wonderful person he was. He will be missed.

TC Dale · 10-07-2006, 12:40 AM

Sighs.

Rest in Peace, Buck. You deserve it.

Sometimes words aren't enough.

GForce · 10-07-2006, 12:43 AM

MLB better do a moment of silence tomorrow at each game...he deserves much more than that, but at least that to start.

GH

Jason · 10-07-2006, 12:45 AM

Now I'm even more P.O.'d he wasn't put in the Hall this year. What a dishonor to a great man.

R.I.P. Buck

DamnYankees · 10-07-2006, 12:57 AM

Oh man. Awful. One of my favorite people ever. Damnit.

You lived a good life sir. Well done.

The Professor · 10-07-2006, 01:00 AM

The game - and its fans - will find that tomorrow is a little less full than today. O'Neil was a rare treasure. And, yes, it is a terrible shame that the voters didn't take the opportunity to honor him with a HOF induction while he was alive. He was a pioneer and one of the game's most wonderful ambassadors.

CHCfan · 10-07-2006, 01:24 AM

hopefully some good will come out of this - a moment to reflect on everything the man's done. Maybe he can finally get in the hall, though it's already too late, in a way.

RebelYell · 10-07-2006, 01:32 AM

Buck O'Neil, Negro League baseball great, dies at 94

By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
October 6, 2006

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Buck O'Neil, the goodwill ambassador for the Negro Leagues who fell one vote shy of the Hall of Fame, died Friday night. He was 94.

Bob Kendrick, marketing director for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, said O'Neil died at a Kansas City hospital.

A star in the Negro Leagues who barnstormed with Satchel Paige, O'Neil later became the first black coach in the majors. Baseball was his life -- in July, he batted in a minor league All-Star game.

O'Neil had appeared strong until early August, when he was hospitalized for what was described as "fatigue." He was released a few days later, but readmitted on Sept. 17. Friends said that he had lost his voice along with his strength. No cause of death was immediately given.

Always projecting warmth, wit and a sunny optimism that sometimes seemed surprising for a man who lived in a climate of racial injustice for so long, O'Neil remained remarkably vigorous well into his 90s. He became as big a star as the Negro League greats whose stories he traveled the country to tell.

RchW · 10-07-2006, 01:48 AM

RIP Buck O'Neil

If you haven't already done so, please go here and sign the petition to get him into the Hall of Fame.

theasfl · 10-07-2006, 03:38 AM

He's been ill for awhile, so this is no surprise, but its still certainly a time to honor his achievements.

Dargone · 10-07-2006, 07:42 AM

Seemed like such a great human being. How someone who has given so much to the game of baseball, is not in the HOF is a real shame. However, he'll always be HOF in my book...

Tribe Fan 24 · 10-07-2006, 08:05 AM

IMO, the HOF is less important if it withholds Buck O'Neil from it. He was an amazing American, whose character spoke for itself. He will be missed.

RIP

Mycroft · 10-07-2006, 08:17 AM

RIP.

Watching Buck O'Neil on Baseball, the Burns' doc, helped my wife go from someone who couldn't stand watching a baseball game, to someone who would put up with me watching it, and even like it herself a little bit.

Thank you Buck.

Raidergoo · 10-07-2006, 08:33 AM

Well done, you good and faithful servant.

Jason Moyer · 10-07-2006, 12:20 PM

RIP Buck.

spark240 · 10-07-2006, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribe Fan 24

IMO, the HOF is less important if it withholds Buck O'Neil from it. He was an amazing American, whose character spoke for itself. He will be missed.

RIP

Yes. If Buck is not in the Hall, it is the Hall--not Buck--which is diminished.

magnet · 10-07-2006, 01:49 PM

cross-post:

Missed the hall by one vote; I wish we knew who left him off of their ballots. I'd like to hear their reasons for excluding him.

Cooleyvol · 10-07-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnet

cross-post:

Missed the hall by one vote; I wish we knew who left him off of their ballots. I'd like to hear their reasons for excluding him.

Nothing he/she could offer would be enough for me.

Buck, thanks so much for all you've done for the game. It owes you more than it has paid, that's for sure.

What a wonderful man with a wonderful outlook on life, despite all the trials/tribulations it gave him.

I have to say, I'm extremely saddened by this, to the point of tear almost. I just can't express what I've felt for this great human being for quite some time now. This past Hall vote really made me mad, but as always, Buck had nothing but good things to say. Perhaps the Hall meant less to him than it does to us. He had solice in the fact of knowing all he'd done and seen in baseball. Being in the Hall doesnt make him any more of a great all time ballplayer/ambassador of the game.

The Hall needs you more than you need the Hall, Buck.

Rest in peace, Buck..............you're missed in my household already.

Jason · 10-07-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnet

cross-post:

Missed the hall by one vote; I wish we knew who left him off of their ballots. I'd like to hear their reasons for excluding him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooleyvol

Nothing he/she could offer would be enough for me.

You got that right. When I heard didn't make the Hall I was ticked off beyond belief. There's no question that Buck was the driving force behind the Negro Leagues museum in KC and he's been a gentleman through all rough times he faced.

Today's major leaguers can only wish they had half the class and dignity of this man.

10-07-2006, 12:27 AM	#1
GForce Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,458 Infractions: 0/2 (2)	RIP Buck O'Neil AP just reported Buck O'Neil has passed away. A real shame. What a great, great guy. GH

10-07-2006, 12:35 AM	#2
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,929	What an ambassador to the game and a downright wonderful person he was. He will be missed. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland

10-07-2006, 12:40 AM	#3
TC Dale Global Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 4,960	Sighs. Rest in Peace, Buck. You deserve it. Sometimes words aren't enough. __________________ ----------------------------------

10-07-2006, 01:00 AM	#7
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	The game - and its fans - will find that tomorrow is a little less full than today. O'Neil was a rare treasure. And, yes, it is a terrible shame that the voters didn't take the opportunity to honor him with a HOF induction while he was alive. He was a pioneer and one of the game's most wonderful ambassadors. __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

10-07-2006, 01:32 AM	#9
RebelYell Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 226	Very sad indeed ... one of my all-time favorites Buck O'Neil, Negro League baseball great, dies at 94 By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer October 6, 2006 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Buck O'Neil, the goodwill ambassador for the Negro Leagues who fell one vote shy of the Hall of Fame, died Friday night. He was 94. Bob Kendrick, marketing director for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, said O'Neil died at a Kansas City hospital. A star in the Negro Leagues who barnstormed with Satchel Paige, O'Neil later became the first black coach in the majors. Baseball was his life -- in July, he batted in a minor league All-Star game. O'Neil had appeared strong until early August, when he was hospitalized for what was described as "fatigue." He was released a few days later, but readmitted on Sept. 17. Friends said that he had lost his voice along with his strength. No cause of death was immediately given. Always projecting warmth, wit and a sunny optimism that sometimes seemed surprising for a man who lived in a climate of racial injustice for so long, O'Neil remained remarkably vigorous well into his 90s. He became as big a star as the Negro League greats whose stories he traveled the country to tell. __________________ Bobby Don Southworth -- Cleveland Indians, first place American League Central Yoda55 gave it And coming soon: The World Cup of Baseball

10-07-2006, 12:43 AM	#4
GForce Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,458 Infractions: 0/2 (2)	MLB better do a moment of silence tomorrow at each game...he deserves much more than that, but at least that to start. GH

10-07-2006, 12:45 AM	#5
Jason Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,845	Now I'm even more P.O.'d he wasn't put in the Hall this year. What a dishonor to a great man. R.I.P. Buck

10-07-2006, 12:57 AM	#6
DamnYankees All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,644	Oh man. Awful. One of my favorite people ever. Damnit. You lived a good life sir. Well done.

10-07-2006, 01:24 AM	#8
CHCfan All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Grand Island, NE Posts: 1,117	hopefully some good will come out of this - a moment to reflect on everything the man's done. Maybe he can finally get in the hall, though it's already too late, in a way.

10-07-2006, 01:48 AM	#10
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	RIP Buck O'Neil If you haven't already done so, please go here and sign the petition to get him into the Hall of Fame. __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

10-07-2006, 03:38 AM	#11
theasfl Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Coral Springs, FL or Orlando, FL (UCF) Posts: 7,988	He's been ill for awhile, so this is no surprise, but its still certainly a time to honor his achievements. __________________ All-Sports Fantasy League The ASFL 22 different games, 9 sports. Please check out the website (www.theasfl.com/asfl2/). The league is free- if you're interested please fill out the signup form and/or email the commissioner. Miami Talons (ABL): 2004, 2005 & 2008 Champs

10-07-2006, 07:42 AM	#12
Dargone Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Interwebs Posts: 2,862	Seemed like such a great human being. How someone who has given so much to the game of baseball, is not in the HOF is a real shame. However, he'll always be HOF in my book... __________________ I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.-Margaret Mitchell

10-07-2006, 08:05 AM	#13
Tribe Fan 24 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 675	IMO, the HOF is less important if it withholds Buck O'Neil from it. He was an amazing American, whose character spoke for itself. He will be missed. RIP __________________ Long Suffering Tribe Fan Proud Papa of Caroline Grace (b. 2005) Kaeden Michael (b. 2008) and Claire Elise (b. 2012)

10-07-2006, 08:17 AM	#14
Mycroft Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 193	RIP. Watching Buck O'Neil on Baseball, the Burns' doc, helped my wife go from someone who couldn't stand watching a baseball game, to someone who would put up with me watching it, and even like it herself a little bit. Thank you Buck. __________________ I wouldn't give you David Wright for your whole team. [paraphrased from a statement to Brach Rickey, about Brooks Robinson]

10-07-2006, 08:33 AM	#15
Raidergoo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9,005	Well done, you good and faithful servant.

10-07-2006, 12:20 PM	#16
Jason Moyer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,076	RIP Buck. __________________ "I pretty much popped everything cold turkey. We were doing steroids they wouldn't give to horses." -- Tom House "I was very fortunate to have a pitching coach by the name of Tom House...Tom, I really miss those days that we spent in the weight room and out on the field working together." -- Nolan Ryan's HoF Induction Speech

10-07-2006, 01:49 PM	#18
magnet Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,029	cross-post: Missed the hall by one vote; I wish we knew who left him off of their ballots. I'd like to hear their reasons for excluding him.