John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Jr.
November 13, 1911 – October 6, 2006
He was a prominent figure in baseball history, John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil made significant contributions both on and off the field. He primarily served as a first baseman and manager in the Negro American League, notably with the Kansas City Monarchs. Following his playing career, he transitioned into a scouting role and achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first African-American coach in Major League Baseball.
In his later years, O’Neil emerged as a captivating speaker and interviewee, playing a pivotal role in reigniting widespread interest in the Negro leagues. He dedicated himself to preserving this rich history and was instrumental in the establishment of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. O’Neil’s remarkable contributions to the sport and his advocacy for the Negro leagues were duly recognized when he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as an executive in 2022.
O’Neil’s life story and enduring impact were prominently featured in Ken Burns’s acclaimed 1994 documentary series “Baseball.” Furthermore, Joe Posnanski’s 2007 book, “The Soul of Baseball,” provided a comprehensive exploration of his remarkable journey in the world of baseball..
John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil’s early life was rooted in Carrabelle, Florida, born to John Jordan O’Neil (1873–1954) and Louella Campbell (maiden; 1884–1945). His educational path faced obstacles due to racial segregation, initially denying him access to high school. In Florida, there were only four high schools designated for African Americans.
His upbringing took place in Sarasota, Florida, within the Newtown community. During this time, O’Neil worked in the celery fields, while his father operated a pool hall in Newtown. Subsequently, he relocated to Jacksonville, where he lived with relatives and enrolled at Edward Waters College. There, he not only completed his high school education but also pursued two years of college courses.
Buck O’Neil boasted an impressive career batting average of .288, spanning from 1937 to 1950. Within this period, he achieved four seasons with a batting average exceeding .300, while also encountering five seasons where his average did not surpass .260. Notably, in 1946, O’Neil stood out as the leading hitter in the NAL with a remarkable .353 batting average. He followed up this achievement in 1947 with another stellar .350 batting average in just 16 games. Additional strong seasons included a .345 average in 1940 and a .330 average in 1949. His excellence in the sport was further highlighted by his participation in three East-West All-Star Games and two Negro World Series.
During World War II, O’Neil’s baseball career was temporarily interrupted as he served in the U.S. Navy for two years, from 1944 to 1945, following the conclusion of the 1943 season. He fulfilled his enlistment duties as part of a naval construction battalion stationed in New Jersey. Upon his return to the Monarchs at the beginning of the 1946 season, he continued to contribute both as a player and a manager.
In 1948, O’Neil assumed the role of manager for the Monarchs, succeeding Frank Duncan after his retirement. While managing the team, he remained an active player, primarily as the first baseman, until 1951 when he transitioned to a part-time player. His tenure as the Monarchs’ manager spanned eight seasons from 1948 to 1955, a period marked by the gradual decline of the Negro leagues. Despite the challenges faced during this era, O’Neil led the Monarchs to two league titles and a shared title where no playoff was conducted. The two undisputed pennants were secured in 1953 and 1955, a time when the league had dwindled to fewer than six teams.
May 13, 2006, marked a significant milestone in Buck O’Neil’s life when he was bestowed with an honorary doctorate in education from Missouri Western State University. During the commencement ceremony, he also had the distinct honor of delivering the commencement speech, imparting his wisdom and insights to the graduates.
Additionally, O’Neil played a pivotal role as a member of the 18-member Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans Committee, a position he held from 1981 to 2000. His contributions were instrumental in the induction of six Negro league players into the Hall of Fame. This notable achievement took place between 1995 and 2001 when the Hall of Fame adopted a policy of annually inducting one Negro leaguer, a testament to O’Neil’s dedication to preserving the legacy of these exceptional athletes.
On August 5, 2006, Buck O’Neil’s health took a concerning turn, leading to his admission to a Kansas City hospital. He had expressed feelings of unwellness and was admitted primarily due to fatigue. After three days, he was discharged. However, his health further deteriorated, prompting his re-admission on September 17. As the days went by, news emerged on September 28 that O’Neil’s condition had worsened, causing concern among Kansas City media outlets. Finally, on October 6, 2006, at the age of 94, Buck O’Neil passed away. The cause of his passing was attributed to heart failure and bone marrow cancer.
Buck O’Neil’s enduring legacy continued to receive recognition and honors even after his passing:
- On December 7, 2006, President George W. Bush posthumously awarded him the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- On March 31, 2007, coinciding with Major League Baseball’s inaugural Civil Rights Game, O’Neil was posthumously honored with MLB’s first annual Beacon of Life Award at the MLB Beacon Awards luncheon.
- On October 24, 2007, a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award, named in his honor, was bestowed upon him.
- In 2008, a life-size statue of O’Neil was prominently displayed inside the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, located on 18th and Vine in Kansas City. The Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award was established, with the distinction of being presented no more frequently than once every three years.
At the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 27, 2008, Joe Morgan delivered a heartfelt dedication speech for the award, highlighting key aspects of O’Neil’s life and repeatedly referencing the title of his autobiography, “I Was Right on Time.”
Additional tributes and recognitions include:
- Buck O’Neil Run/Walk
- “John Jordan ‘Buck’ O’Neil” exhibit in the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame
- Induction into the Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals in 2008
- Inclusion in the Hall of Famous Missourians in February 2012, with a permanent display of a bronze bust sculpted by E. Spencer Schubert
- The renaming of the Buck O’Neil Bridge in Kansas City, Missouri, in his honor.