On July 19, American sports editor Earl Austin Jr. ventured to Kansas City, Kan. to watch his brother play in the Northern League All-Star baseball game.
The star of the show on this night was none other than Negro League legend Buck O’Neal, who was on hand to participate in the festivities.
O’Neal threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the 2005 Northern League All-Star Game in Gary, Ind. He did one better in this year’s game in his home area of Kansas City. O’Neal served as the lead-off hitter for both teams, thus making him the oldest player ever to participate in a professional baseball game.
At the young age of 94, O’Neal stepped to the plate and drew a walk from both pitchers that he faced. More important, his mere presence at a baseball event keeps the great memories of the great Negro Leagues alive, plus it allows parents another opportunity to tell their young ones who is Buck O’Neal and why he is such a baseball icon.
It was also another opportunity for fans to voice their displeasure over the injustice that was done to O’Neal by those who vote for Hall of Fame enshrinement. Last weekend, there were 17 Negro League alumni inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Shockingly, O’Neal was not one of those people who received the nod. When the official vote came down from a special 12-member committee in February, there was almost a national outrage.
O’Neal’s success as a player, coach and scout in the Negro Leagues and contributions to Major League baseball as one of the first scouts are well documented. His role as a true ambassador to the Negro League and passion to keep its legacy alive in well is also well documented. However, it was not enough for him to received a place in the Hall of Fame. Shame, Shame, Shame on baseball.
The fans who turned out at Community American Ballpark on July 19 did not miss their chance to voice their opinions. Not only did they celebrated O’Neal with a standing ovation, but they also paraded around the stadium wearing “Buck O’Neal for Hall of Fame” T-shirts.
A petition calling for O’Neal to be inducted into the Hall of Fame circulated around the stadium throughout the game. People couldn’t get to the petition fast enough to sign it.
O’Neal reacted to the outpouring of love and adulation with the same class and dignity that he has handled everything in life, including his Hall of Fame snub during the winter. He was more happy for those 17 people who were inducted and he was in Cooperstown last weekend to speak in their behalf and keep the Negro League legacy alive and well.
Now, it would be nice to see Buck O’Neal giving his own acceptance speech at the Hall of Fame while he is still alive and well.
