Michael Tillery.com

Love for Buck:

October 9th, 2006
Love for Buck
by Michael Tillery

Pop Pop died. America sighed The Negro League cried.
Where have you gone Ole Man?
Do come back and smile like only the little boy can.
You were not a "boy" but a man.
Over 36 players you MLB ushered in a seven year span.
Jimmie Armsted, Oscar Charleston, Welday Walker, Jim Zapp to all of you Buck can highlight with a mere tip of his cap.
Frank, Felipe and Dusty remember the pain It will keep you sane Until Buck gets voted into the Hall of Fame.
Gone are coaches three.
Part of baseball's soul is sure to flee.
For the love of God! America don't you see!
Baseball's tarnished history we must continue to attack.
Have your children proudly wear the Kansas City Monarch hat
As America should reminisce of the timeless echo That resounds with the historic crack of Buck O'Neil's bat...

John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil (1911-2006) died on October 6.

He was a legendary figure not only in Negro League Baseball, but America's fabric as well. His quick, witty and across the board charm endeared him to all who came in contact with the beloved icon. I'll personally miss him because I didn't get the chance to interview him before his death. I made various attempts over the past year before Buck fell ill recently, but his busy schedule is more the reason why we couldn't make that happen. He was here for the people and made sure he was always accessible to everyone.

Selfish of me, maybe, but Mr. O'Neil affected me more than anyone I didn't have the opportunity to meet--similar to Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and Paul Robeson. I wanted to translate just how much his compelling nature touched my spirit. It surely would have been a natural move to get Mr. O'Neil on BSN, but his soul for the game of baseball will live through us all.

He never stopped working and was a long time cherished ambassador for Negro League Baseball. He would travel all over the country to lend his celebrity and voice to anyone who was documenting baseball history. He wanted to make sure that the remembrance of the Negro League was intact. It was never about him. He frequented Cooperstown for the annual Hall of Fame induction where many in attendance used the once in a lifetime opportunity to soak up his vast knowledge. He played with the great Satchel Paige, got to witness many of Josh Gibson's 972 homers and discovered talents as a Chicago Cubs scout (signed in 1956)--like Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Lou Brock and also upstarts like Joe Carter.

As a kid, because he was so precocious, he was able to get into Yankee stadium and speak to greats like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Because of them, he frequented many Yankee games during the Murderer's Row era. He passed the knowledge and wisdom he experienced to all of his future players. As the Kansas City Monarch manager, more than 36 of his former players were able to play in the majors. He learned a lot from Rube Foster the man who first succeeded in organizing Black baseball. Rube smoked a pipe and, while managing in the dugout, would send smoke signals to his players. Because of managers like Rube, the teams competing against one another would put on a show. The game was quicker and faster than it's Major League counterpart. The pauses between innings were used as moments to entertain the fans who were always dressed nice because games began after church. The men wore hats, always wore ties and the women wore fine dresses.

I asked Jason Whitlock, long time columnist for the Kansas City Star to comment about just how revered Mr. O'Neil was in the city. He graciously replied: "Buck was a beloved figure in Kansas City simply because he represented everything we all want to be -- full of life and love. Buck connected with the downtown power players, the suburban housewife and the boys in the 'hood. Buck will never be forgotten in KC."

Baseball will hopefully celebrate Mr. O'Neil in the wake of his death. Could you imagine the celebration if Buck would have played in the majors? He was well into his thirties when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and thus had to wait until 1962 to get into the majors as the first Black coach. He as an assistant with the Chicago Cubs.

I find it appalling that the ESPN Sunday morning show Sports Reporters didn't once mention Mr. O'Neil's name, when assuredly a mainstream counterpart's death most likely would have opened the show in melancholy fashion. In their parting shots, three of the four panelists talked about the Detroit Tigers beating the Yankees and the ridiculous media driven return of Terrell Owens to Philadelphia to face the Eagles.
Wow! As much as the upset of the Yankees should be highlighted, "respected" media members couldn't tribute such a historical baseball figure even in his death?

It shows that all this society cares about is money and ratings.

This is the problem that baseball will always have. People in and around the game continuously mention Aaron, DiMaggio, Gehrig, Mantle, Mays and Ruth when speaking about the nostalgia of the game. Talents like Ray Dandridge, Leon Day, Jose Mendez, Hilton Smith and the best ball player you've never heard of, female Toni Smith, are rarely mentioned. Yes, some are inducted into the Hall of Fame, but not until they are dead and gone. Their families and friends are left with nothing more than a bittersweet memory. Numerous Negro League players weren't afforded the chance to show America their talent. As they die one by one America is losing some of its true competitive spirit and a major reason to smile.

In a PBS interview that gave Buck some mainstream limelight at the still robust age of 82, Mr. O'Neil was asked what the game of Baseball has done for him. He responded: "It's a religion. For me. You understand? If you go by the rules, it is a right. The things that you can do. The things that you can't do, that you aren't supposed to do. And if these things are carried out, it makes a beautiful picture overall. It's a very beautiful thing because it taught me and it teaches everyone else to live by the rules, to abide by the rules. I think sports in general teaches a guy humility. I can see a guy hit the ball out of the ballpark, or a grand slam home run to win a baseball game, and that same guy can come up tomorrow in that situation and miss the ball and lose the ball game. It can bring you up there but don't get too damn cocky because tomorrow it can bring you down there. See? But one thing about it though, you know there always will be a tomorrow. You got me today, but I'm coming back."

Mr. O'Neil's career average was .288. In 1946, his .353 mark led the league. The next year he hit a career best .358. He hit over .340 two other times. He was a slick fielding 1st baseman who had a penchant for hitting in the clutch. He was an all star 4 times and played in two Black World Series.

He once stated that Josh Gibson would have been an outstanding hitter in the majors. Gibson struck about 50 times a year as opposed to Babe Ruth striking out around 115 times in a typical season. Gibson would have obliterated the home run record and was the best hitter Mr. O'Neil had ever seen. According to Buck, Gibson had the hitting ability of Ted Williams.

Mr. O'Neil served on baseball's Veteran Committee and because of his input, numerous Negro League players were inducted into the Hall of Fame that didn't receive enough votes previously.

The irony is that he fell one vote short.

He told his stunned supporters after the votes were tallied to not be sad for him although those closest to him have frequently commented that he was heart broken.

Buck O'Neil wants the world to speak for him. He was not one to complain publicly of any injustice that he experienced. He was a man that should be afforded historical admiration of the utmost order. He fought for his country as a member of the Navy during World War II.

What does a man have to do to be honored for what he has given us all?

I guess he has to die.