One of the greats of the game-an Ambassador to baseball-Mr. Buck O'Neil

It's April 15, 2008 and sixty-one years ago Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier for Major League Baseball.  It was Branch Rickey that gave him the opportunity.  Another important name in baseball is Buck O'Neil.  He helped renew widespread interest in the Negro Leagues and played a huge role in establishing the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.

At 94 years old, Buck learned that he had not been elected to the Hall.  He spoke to about 200 well-wishers and told the crowd:  "God's been good to me.  They didn't think Buck was good enough to be in the Hall of Fame.  That's the way they thought about it and that's the way it is, so we're going to live with that.  Now, if I'm a Hall of Famer for you, that's all right with me.  Just keep loving old Buck.  Don't weep for Buck.  No, man, be happy, be thankful."  It's a shame that Buck never had his day. 

My brother had the opportunity to meet Buck O'Neil a couple of years ago at a spring training game.  I remember when my brother called me and said that he got his autograph.  We have a lot of autographs-but I told him that this was probably the most treasured.  My brother took this picture of Buck O'Neil.  The lady on the right is my brother's friend-"Tidbit."  She was a good friend of Buck's.  "Tidbit" will be attending her 37th consecutive All-Star game.  You go girl!