Anyone who has some spare time should definitely pick it up. Joe Posnanski is a sports columnist at the Kansas City Star and this book is about his year long road trip with the one and only Buck O’Neil of the Kansas City Monarchs. (He started out as a first baseman on the Monarchs, soon became the manager of the Monarchs then went on to become a scout for the Chicago Cubs all the while helping establish what is now the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri) It is not so much about Buck O’Neil as it is much about the Negro Leagues in general. Though you learn so much about the kind of man Mr O’Neil was. He lived a wonderful, beautiful and enriching life I’ll tell you that much. 

While reading this book I got an epiphany. What better way to celebrate Black History Month than recognizing and thanking the existence of the Negro Leagues and its players! To tell you the truth I’ve always been fascinated with the Negro Leagues and the kind of players it developed though it isn’t as properly scripted as everything else. I love reading stories about the kind of players on the league and learning new info about the players and such. It’s such a shame how a lot of them didn’t even get a chance at the Major League level, yet many of them (Buck O’Neil for example) did not give up or amazingly did not foster any hate towards anyone. They kept on playing because they had so much love for the game. Sure the game’s changed a bit since then but I think we, as fans, like to see that pure love for the game every now and then. I know I do. 

I believe that the Negro Leagues should be appreciated, respected and cherished for their contributions to the game. They gave a lot of great players an opportunity to play ball during a time when the country was divided thus giving them a path to play in the Major Leagues soon after, as controversial as integration was. Most importantly, Buck O’Neil always said how people have preconceived notions of what the Negro Leagues were all about, as if they were there themselves. If Mr O’Neil was still alive I know he’d be the first one to tell you that it wasn’t all about not being able to sleep in the hotel rooms or eating at restaurants. A lot of these players played hard and had the time of their lives! I think he would like all of us to look at the Negro Leagues that way. With that being said, we’ve come a long way since then but I still believe we have some room for more love and equality. 

Here’s to anyone who ever fought for civil rights/equality! We salute you!

Cool Papa Bell was so fast that he could switch the light in their hotel room and jump into bed before the lights when out. And it’s not just a rumor! “The origin of this tale is an event that took place when Bell and [Satchel] Paige were roommates on a road trip. Bell checked into the hotel room first and noticed a shor
t in the light switch – there was a delay between when the switch was flipped and when the light went off. When Paige arrived, Bell made a bet with him that he could turn off the light and be under the covers before it became dark. He accomplished the feat to the amusement of both athletes.” [Mississippi Now]

This picture gives him justice in my opinion. Very regal and Buck O’Neil-like don’t you think? I purposely took the effort to find just the right picture for Mr O’Neil. If you haven’t noticed yet he is my favorite Negro League player. It’s such a shame he wasn’t inducted to the Hall of Fame. I didn’t know what the committee was smoking that day…I was very disappointed to say the least..”However, he was honored in 2007 with a new award given by the Hall of Fame, to be named after him. And had his own statue placed in the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (aka “The House that Buck Built)” [Negro Leagues]

I said it once, I’ll say it again. Mr O’Neil lived a beautiful life. (He passed away on October 6th 2006 at the age of 94 of heart failure and bone marrow cancer) A life that one could only dream about living. Reading Posnanski’s book made me realize how much of a wonderful and giving person he was. He touched many many lives, too many to count. He continued to make a difference, talk of the Negro Leagues and told stories to anyone who cared to listen up until his death. Posnanski talks about how Buck loved Baseball and Jazz and how they went together like Peanut Butter and Jelly. And I have to say I can’t disagree. May he forever rest in peace and always remembered. He’s in a good place

So I suggest you read both Buck O’Neil’s biography I was Right on Time and The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O’Neil’s America by Joe Posnanski. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed!