He will be missed

Baseball lost one of its greatest men this past week and most people have probably never heard of him.

Buck O'Neil (1911-2006) played for and managed professional ball clubs over the course of four decades. The crowning achievement of his career came in 1962 when he was named manager of the Chicago Cubs.

So what? Big deal?

When Buck put on that Cubbies uniform in the spring of 1962, it was the first time an African-American lead a major professional sports team in North America. He knocked down just as much of that color barrier as Jackie Robinson did, but how many of us have heard of him?

As I flicked my car radio to AM earlier this year I stumbled upon Jim Rome interviewing a man I had never heard of before. There was an air in his voice, a thrill of passion for everything he talked about. After I heard him tell stories, laugh and show his love not only for baseball but also for life, I had to know more. I had to know Buck O'Neil.

He was fun, humorous and a smile personified. O'Neil would tell the most amazing stories that left you waiting for more. He absolutely loved baseball. He even played in a minor league all-star game at the age of 94! O'Neil knew greats such as Satchel Paige and Babe Ruth, but also rubbed elbows with Alex Rodriguez and George Steinbrenner. Baseball was what he loved, and baseball was his life.

Buck was a good ball player and a decent manager, but most of his accomplishments came long after he hung up his cleats. In the realm of Negro League baseball, Kansas City was the epicenter. It was here that most of O'Neil's playing and managing career took place, for the Monarchs.

It was only fitting that O'Neil helped foster the creation of the Negro League Baseball Museum in the hometown of his beloved Monarchs. Through his tireless work and effort, he raised enough money to open the building and permanently etch into the history of baseball the legacy of men many had forgotten.

With this act O'Neil became an ambassador for the Negro Leagues. He took upon his shoulders the burden of trying to get the Baseball Hall of Fame to recognize and induct those men that had made such great contributions to the game in the days when segregation controlled even the realm sport. With his help, 12 players were voted into Cooperstown in June 2006. Only one name was missing: Buck O'Neil.

The electors apparently did not feel that his career on the field was adequate enough to permanently emblazon his face in bronze. In typical style he simply smiled, shrugged his shoulders and delivered what I consider the best keynote address I have ever heard. All this from a 94-year-old man whose chance at eternal glory had just been snubbed.

In his speech, Buck showed the qualities that made him so endearing to so many people. He talked about baseball but also talked about life. He said how he's never hated any man, "because every man has something good in him." He made some jokes, talked about the past and even made a play at the ladies. "I'm only 94, girls," O'Neil said.

Then he sang.

He sang, "The greatest joy...in all my life...is loving you." I'm not sure who this song was directed to, if anyone at all. It could have been his wife, his former players, the fans or just to baseball. I like to think, however, that that day, standing on the stage at Cooperstown, Buck O'Neil sang to everyone.

That's the kind of man O'Neil was. He showed appreciation and joy and radiated a passion for life. That's the kind of man I want to be.

I never met Buck. I wish I had, but I hope there is a part of him inside each and every one of us. Just a little bit of his love for life would make the world a better place.

An amazing sportsman, moreover an amazing man, who led an amazing life. He will be missed.

Rest in peace John J. "Buck" O'Neil.