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What Did Buck O'Neil Mean To You, KC?
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T O P I C
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Discussion Started: 10-06-2006, 10:48 PM
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Kansas City baseball legend Buck O'Neil passed away Oct. 6. Share your memories of Buck and what he meant to you and to the city.
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View Messages: [newest first] | [oldest first]
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Lgunner
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10-11-2006, 3:21 PM
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As a child, my son would hear the stories of Cool poppa Bell, Satchel Paige and Buck O'Neil from his grandfather. So it was a great honor on May 17,1996 when Chie'was the very first recipient of the John "Buck" O'Neil scholarship award. Meeting Buck changed our son's life. After chie' was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Buck was a constant source of help as our 16 year old son made the transistion to major league baseball. He would take the time to call and encorage Chie' and he would always seem to know when to call. Thanks Buck, We'll miss you greatly.
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mfreema3
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10-10-2006, 1:40 PM
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i think that Mr. O?Neil was a smooth fielder and a two-time league-leading hitter with the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the Negro leagues? most acclaimed teams, and he also managed them, because He'd previously endured the indignity of playing in a grass skirt with war paint for a barnstorming baseball team called the Zulu Cannibal Giants, but in 1938 he made his debut with the Monarchs of the Negro American League.
Maurice Freeman
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CookieLady
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10-09-2006, 8:21 AM
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Mr. O'Neil was always a gracious man with an incredible smile that was always on his face. I had the honor of meeting him several years ago when they had a Field of Dreams affair going on somewhere north of KC and even as hot as it was, his smile never left his face.
Buck O'Neil is what KC is about and there should be a way that he is inducted to the Hall of Fame. Not only for his playing ability, but for what he did for baseball in general.
You will be forever missed Mr. O'Neil but I know you are at peace and playing in that Field of Dreams in Heaven.
The C-7 Cookie Lady
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davisglo
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10-08-2006, 10:40 PM
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Mr. O'Neil was an eye opener for me. Let me explain. My father used to say he played with the Monarchs. Being very young, I didn't know who the Monarchs were so I just thought it was his "drink" talking. He never said this while he was sober. My father died in 1992. That year Kansas City hosted the Black Expo and the KC Monarchs were there to sign autographs. My mother, sister and I went and there was Buck with other Monarch players. I decided to ask him if he knew of a player named Ernie Frazier. To my surprise he did. Not only did he remember him but he told me what position he played. My mother, who never said a word when my father would say he played with the Monarchs, piped in and said she use to have his uniform but threw it away because it was moth eaten. Boy, everybody that was listening was disappointed. All this time I thought this was the ranting of a drunk man, but he was telling the truth. It made me have a different outlook on my father and why he never talked about this when he was sober. Mr. O'Neil had a great memory and restored faith in me for a father I doubted. Thanks a million Mr. O'Neil.
davisglo
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pcapper
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10-08-2006, 7:46 PM
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A couple of years ago I was at a sports show in Overland Park and it was late in the afternoon. I was standing in line when Buck O'Neil walked in and was chatting with people as he walked along. He came up to a young man standing near me that had a New York Yankee's jersey on. He put his arm around him and started giving him a hard time about it. Told him he shouldn't be wearing that, he should be supporting the local teams. He just laughed and had everyone around him laughing. I saw several young admirers get out of line and go over to get Buck's autograph which he did without hesitation. Buck O'Neil is a true hero with a big heart. The kind that you won't be able to find many of these days. Every time I think of that day it brings a smile to my face. We'll miss you Buck! Patty
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HM502104
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10-08-2006, 1:46 PM
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I ran into Buck 2 times. The first in the mid-90's at the H & R Block office on Main Street, and the second time at a performance of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in 2000 or 2001. He was a gracious gentleman who loved life and loved people--whether waiting to have his taxes done or dressed in an electric blue suit for a night of musical entertainment. He was indeed a Kansas City treasure & nothing shone like Buck's smile. God bless you, Buck you have transformed a community & you have always been and will now eternally be a Hall of Famer.
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angelmom69
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10-08-2006, 12:50 PM
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On my way to work early Saturday morning, I noticed the big full moon in the clear night sky. I thought that was very fitting because it looked like a giant baseball with the way the craters formed the half-circle. Maybe that was Buck's final homerun, the one that took him home to heaven. The world has lost a saint, but heaven has gained an angel! God speed, Buck O'Neil! Kelly
Kelly
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divamom
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10-08-2006, 8:57 AM
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I have friends and family that live in other parts of the country and they would always brag about their city, their city has the Space Needle, their city has the Arch. I always said back to them, " yes, but we have Buck Oneil and he is our local treasure". It always made me so proud to be able to say that. Sweet dreams Buck, Dana Turner
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phredp
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10-08-2006, 7:25 AM
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Buck knew no strangers. You were a Hall of Famer to all of us both on and off the field. We'll miss you Buck.
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Norman6661
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10-08-2006, 2:53 AM
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I first knew of Mr. O'Neil in 1993 while watching Ken Burns' wonderful series. Like most others who had the privledge, I was taken in by his warm honerable charisma, went on to read his autobiography, and read other accounts of him and the Negro League.
Upon learning of his death Saturday morning, I was deeply saddened but also angry that Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame selection comittee was stupid enough to not allow him to enter the Hall of Fame during his lifetime. It would have meant a lot to him and to all of us who deeply admire him.
I have never been to Kansas City but I intend to one day to see The Negro League Hall of Fame, The John "Buck" O'Neil sites and the President Truman sites.
Sincerely, Norman A. Schwartz, MD. Columbus, Ohio
Norman!
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