Just read this today, May 16, 2023. Joe, I guess you learned a lot from Buck. You channel him in your wonderful writing. I sure am glad Buck was a baseball player.
Every time you write about Buck I think two things: When my time comes, if I have one friend that remembers me as well as you remember Buck, I will have lived a good life. And I remind myself never to walk past a woman in a red dress.
Joe I love all the Buck pieces you’ve written all these years. Yes, Buck knew talent when he saw you.
Yesterday my wife and I drove through Kansas City and made our first ever visit to the NLBM. It was wonderful in every way. I’m still smiling about it. Thanks to Buck and Bob and you for all you’ve done to build and promote a wonderful house of history.
I knew when they announced that Buck finally made it into the Hall of Fame, that you would write a blog. And I knew it would be awesome. Thank you for the eloquent words. I'm glad he picked you.
I’m not crying. You’re crying. In all seriousness, Joe, thank you for all the Buck stories, for constantly beating the drum for the Negro Leagues and for introducing me to this oh so important part of baseball and American history. I’m visiting Pittsburgh right now and have really enjoyed all the love they’ve given all the great players here both at PNC Park and the Heinz Museum. I can’t wait til the day that I get to visit the Museum in KC wearing my new Grays shirt.
I think about that Astros foul ball story as frequently as I can to remind myself that irritation and anger is a choice. Having never met Buck, but encountering a like spirit as a menyor of mine is a blessing beyond measure. They remind us that we can always strive to be better and it’s possible.
Joe, there’s probably nothing I can say that hasn’t already been well said in praise of this blog. But I still feel the need to say something, even if it’s not new or different, after such a moving column. You have an uncanny knack for rising to the occasion, and that was never more obvious than in this summation of Buck’s persona and long overdue induction into Cooperstown. As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I was thinking yesterday, on my 72nd birthday, that it was Big Papi’s day. And remembering back to seeing Ted Williams play when I was a Little Leaguer, I was wishing the two them could have met and bonded at the Hall. But of course what yesterday really was, was a day that the other six inductees had been awaiting for much too long. Thankfully it was finally Jim Kaat’s day at age 83. And of course it was also still Papi’s day at the far more rational age of 46. But more so, you reminded me that it was really Buck’s day, and Minnie’s day, and Tony Oliva’s and Gil Hodges’ and Bud Fowler’s day, far too long after their deaths. Thank you for campaigning so persistently for your dear friend Buck and for so many of these other baseball greats. And thank you for writing so magnificently once more about them. And thank goodness Buck knew in his wonderful heart of hearts that you were the right man for the job!
Dammit Joe, you’re turning me into a weepy old man again. Read this right after watching a video of 78-year-old Joni Mitchell sing Both Sides Now at the Newport Folk Festival. Teared up both times; I guess because I needed to be reminded of the grace, talent and generosity that’s the legacy enduring from these remarkable people.
Just read this today, May 16, 2023. Joe, I guess you learned a lot from Buck. You channel him in your wonderful writing. I sure am glad Buck was a baseball player.
Thanks again.
Every time you write about Buck I think two things: When my time comes, if I have one friend that remembers me as well as you remember Buck, I will have lived a good life. And I remind myself never to walk past a woman in a red dress.
Joe I love all the Buck pieces you’ve written all these years. Yes, Buck knew talent when he saw you.
Yesterday my wife and I drove through Kansas City and made our first ever visit to the NLBM. It was wonderful in every way. I’m still smiling about it. Thanks to Buck and Bob and you for all you’ve done to build and promote a wonderful house of history.
It was wonderful.
I knew when they announced that Buck finally made it into the Hall of Fame, that you would write a blog. And I knew it would be awesome. Thank you for the eloquent words. I'm glad he picked you.
I’m not crying. You’re crying. In all seriousness, Joe, thank you for all the Buck stories, for constantly beating the drum for the Negro Leagues and for introducing me to this oh so important part of baseball and American history. I’m visiting Pittsburgh right now and have really enjoyed all the love they’ve given all the great players here both at PNC Park and the Heinz Museum. I can’t wait til the day that I get to visit the Museum in KC wearing my new Grays shirt.
Love Buck. Love Bob. Love you! Thanks. Annie P
Wonderful, as always. Thank you for keeping Buck, and his beautiful spirit, alive.
I think about that Astros foul ball story as frequently as I can to remind myself that irritation and anger is a choice. Having never met Buck, but encountering a like spirit as a menyor of mine is a blessing beyond measure. They remind us that we can always strive to be better and it’s possible.
Joe, there’s probably nothing I can say that hasn’t already been well said in praise of this blog. But I still feel the need to say something, even if it’s not new or different, after such a moving column. You have an uncanny knack for rising to the occasion, and that was never more obvious than in this summation of Buck’s persona and long overdue induction into Cooperstown. As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I was thinking yesterday, on my 72nd birthday, that it was Big Papi’s day. And remembering back to seeing Ted Williams play when I was a Little Leaguer, I was wishing the two them could have met and bonded at the Hall. But of course what yesterday really was, was a day that the other six inductees had been awaiting for much too long. Thankfully it was finally Jim Kaat’s day at age 83. And of course it was also still Papi’s day at the far more rational age of 46. But more so, you reminded me that it was really Buck’s day, and Minnie’s day, and Tony Oliva’s and Gil Hodges’ and Bud Fowler’s day, far too long after their deaths. Thank you for campaigning so persistently for your dear friend Buck and for so many of these other baseball greats. And thank you for writing so magnificently once more about them. And thank goodness Buck knew in his wonderful heart of hearts that you were the right man for the job!
Love it every time you write about Buck.
I remember being mesmerized by him in The Baseball Documentary
That's a grand slam. Makes me so happy and gives me another reason to take another trip to Cooperstown! Great work, Joe.
I agree with you Joe - Bryant's over Gates!
Dammit Joe, you’re turning me into a weepy old man again. Read this right after watching a video of 78-year-old Joni Mitchell sing Both Sides Now at the Newport Folk Festival. Teared up both times; I guess because I needed to be reminded of the grace, talent and generosity that’s the legacy enduring from these remarkable people.
One day you're going to write an article about Buck that I'll read without tears welling up in my eyes. But today's not that day.
That was great Joe
I'm not crying, you're crying!
OK, we're both crying...