OT, and Buck deserves all the mentions he gets, but just today I read the entry in “Why We Love Baseball” on 8-24-83 when Tippy Martinez picked off three Blue Jays in the 10th with 2d baseman Lenn Sakata forced into his emergency catcher role. As it happened, in 1983 I worked in DC, had worked late that night, and was listening to the game on my 20 min walk home. The great Jon Miller was then the Orioles’ radio broadcaster, and I can still hear his astonishment at that inning. Thank you for that. I think of that inning often. Tippy was a lefty, and the Jays were dying to steal on Sakata. I allow myself to read only one entry a day in your book, to stretch out the pleasure of it. I very much enjoyed reading that entry.
Thanks Joe for reminiscing about Buck on his anniversary. Ever since I finally got to meet and talk with you recently in Newport, RI, I’ve been trying to remember exactly how long ago I first discovered your work. After reading Friday’s story, I began recalling columns you wrote about Buck before he passed. That helped me to narrow down the time period to at least something more than 17 years ago.
Wow, no wonder I’ve built up so much love and respect for your writing! You’ve held my interest and attention for so long, I feel as if you and I (and Buck) are old friends. I’m very grateful to you.
Kershaw has been on FUMES for years. Yet there are a couple clubs he’s automatic. D’Backs ain’t one of them. That said, he’s proven to be that guy who a Team doesn’t want to be first to toss that handful of dirt.
Actually very surprised Kershaw was the game-1 starter given the wear on his arm and his playoff struggles. For it's not just the Dodgers lost and lost badly it is that they had to burn innings with other pitchers just to lose game-1.
I met Satchel Page at the 1973 All Star game. He was sitting a few rows in front of me and I introduced myself. He was friendly and out going. At the same time Charlie Finley was right over in the the same area.
He commented to me about the beauty of Royals Stadium which was new and one of the reasons the game was being played there. I felt like making a comment about how badly he treated the city when he moved theAthletics,but I didn't
I played golf with Buck twice at Swope park he was great and we talked baseball of course.
Sat with him at Royals Stadium once that was a treat
Thanks, Joe, for the remembrance. As others have said it is hard to believe that Buck has been gone 17 years. I only met him a few times later in his life, but once you meet Buck you will never forget it! Once, he was a guest at the Center for Black Studies on the campus of Northern Illinois University. I went down to meet him. Not too many folks showed up, so I had a chance for a decent conversation with him. I knew that he had been a coach on the Cubs and wanted his opinion about why the Cubs traded Lou Brock for 2 well past their prime pitchers. Surprisingly, he did not dis the trade. He went on to talk about Brock still needed development and the Cubs were in desparete need of pitching and something about not knowing about one of the pitcher's injuries. He was gracious and spoke with a twinkle in his eye. I later saw him that evening at a local restaurant with my wife, so I introduced her to him. He kissed her hand then said, again, with a twinkle in his eye, "now, why would you want to be with this guy?" I met him a few more times over the years. He, along with Ernie Banks, became two of my all-time favorite players and people. Buck, you will live on forever. May your memory be a blessing.
What a tremendous pleasure listening to & visiting with this Finest Gent! Jason (My Son) and I were in Cooperstown for Our Friend's (Gary Carter) HOF Induction, and We got to spend some time with Buck.
Loved playing for Gary and greatly enjoyed hanging on Buck's every Word!! Both of These Great Men are so sorely missed Buck was such a phenomenal Human Being and Forever Family Brother!! Looking Forward to seeing Both Gary & Buck again, with GOD Almighty!!!
One of my most prized possessions is a Monarchs cap autographed by Buck. It’s part of my baseball shrine, which also includes Joe’s book about traveling across America with Buck.
Joe shares many of the exemplary attitudes and thinking processes of one of the greatest ever Americans, Buck O'Neil. If you really pressed him on it, Buck would likely say "All Barbecue is
good". We would all do well to emulate the grace and yes, style of good ol Uncle Buck.
I had the pleasure of meeting Buck only once. I was at a Royals game when I was 13, and it was my first time ever sitting in the lower bowl. The Royals were playing the Rangers and were getting absolutely slaughtered (the final score was 15-5). But in the eighth inning the cameras showed Buck on the video screen. I instantly recognized him from the Ken Burns documentary and went over to His Seat and got him to sign my scorecard. I wish I had time to talk to him about how I loved baseball.
Congratulations!!!
Been looking for a lady in a red dress since reading this.
Joe:
OT, and Buck deserves all the mentions he gets, but just today I read the entry in “Why We Love Baseball” on 8-24-83 when Tippy Martinez picked off three Blue Jays in the 10th with 2d baseman Lenn Sakata forced into his emergency catcher role. As it happened, in 1983 I worked in DC, had worked late that night, and was listening to the game on my 20 min walk home. The great Jon Miller was then the Orioles’ radio broadcaster, and I can still hear his astonishment at that inning. Thank you for that. I think of that inning often. Tippy was a lefty, and the Jays were dying to steal on Sakata. I allow myself to read only one entry a day in your book, to stretch out the pleasure of it. I very much enjoyed reading that entry.
Thanks Joe for reminiscing about Buck on his anniversary. Ever since I finally got to meet and talk with you recently in Newport, RI, I’ve been trying to remember exactly how long ago I first discovered your work. After reading Friday’s story, I began recalling columns you wrote about Buck before he passed. That helped me to narrow down the time period to at least something more than 17 years ago.
Wow, no wonder I’ve built up so much love and respect for your writing! You’ve held my interest and attention for so long, I feel as if you and I (and Buck) are old friends. I’m very grateful to you.
Buck was ‘country smart’.
Geez Joe, you sure jinxed Kershaw! Dodgers had 4 weeks to get ready for this game and yet they still were caught napping!
The Soul of Baseball is a fabulous book. Thanks Joe for writing it and thanks to Buck for giving Joe a reason to write it.
Kershaw has been on FUMES for years. Yet there are a couple clubs he’s automatic. D’Backs ain’t one of them. That said, he’s proven to be that guy who a Team doesn’t want to be first to toss that handful of dirt.
Actually very surprised Kershaw was the game-1 starter given the wear on his arm and his playoff struggles. For it's not just the Dodgers lost and lost badly it is that they had to burn innings with other pitchers just to lose game-1.
Met Buck several times in Spring Training, when the Royals were in Davenport Fl, at baseball & boardwalk. One of the nicest people I have ever met.
I met Satchel Page at the 1973 All Star game. He was sitting a few rows in front of me and I introduced myself. He was friendly and out going. At the same time Charlie Finley was right over in the the same area.
He commented to me about the beauty of Royals Stadium which was new and one of the reasons the game was being played there. I felt like making a comment about how badly he treated the city when he moved theAthletics,but I didn't
I played golf with Buck twice at Swope park he was great and we talked baseball of course.
Sat with him at Royals Stadium once that was a treat
I met Buck O'Neil through reading your book, and subsequent writings. What a gift that was!!!! Thank you.
Thanks, Joe, for the remembrance. As others have said it is hard to believe that Buck has been gone 17 years. I only met him a few times later in his life, but once you meet Buck you will never forget it! Once, he was a guest at the Center for Black Studies on the campus of Northern Illinois University. I went down to meet him. Not too many folks showed up, so I had a chance for a decent conversation with him. I knew that he had been a coach on the Cubs and wanted his opinion about why the Cubs traded Lou Brock for 2 well past their prime pitchers. Surprisingly, he did not dis the trade. He went on to talk about Brock still needed development and the Cubs were in desparete need of pitching and something about not knowing about one of the pitcher's injuries. He was gracious and spoke with a twinkle in his eye. I later saw him that evening at a local restaurant with my wife, so I introduced her to him. He kissed her hand then said, again, with a twinkle in his eye, "now, why would you want to be with this guy?" I met him a few more times over the years. He, along with Ernie Banks, became two of my all-time favorite players and people. Buck, you will live on forever. May your memory be a blessing.
Nice
What a tremendous pleasure listening to & visiting with this Finest Gent! Jason (My Son) and I were in Cooperstown for Our Friend's (Gary Carter) HOF Induction, and We got to spend some time with Buck.
Loved playing for Gary and greatly enjoyed hanging on Buck's every Word!! Both of These Great Men are so sorely missed Buck was such a phenomenal Human Being and Forever Family Brother!! Looking Forward to seeing Both Gary & Buck again, with GOD Almighty!!!
One of my most prized possessions is a Monarchs cap autographed by Buck. It’s part of my baseball shrine, which also includes Joe’s book about traveling across America with Buck.
Joe shares many of the exemplary attitudes and thinking processes of one of the greatest ever Americans, Buck O'Neil. If you really pressed him on it, Buck would likely say "All Barbecue is
good". We would all do well to emulate the grace and yes, style of good ol Uncle Buck.
I had the pleasure of meeting Buck only once. I was at a Royals game when I was 13, and it was my first time ever sitting in the lower bowl. The Royals were playing the Rangers and were getting absolutely slaughtered (the final score was 15-5). But in the eighth inning the cameras showed Buck on the video screen. I instantly recognized him from the Ken Burns documentary and went over to His Seat and got him to sign my scorecard. I wish I had time to talk to him about how I loved baseball.
Joe, thank you for all that you do to keep Buck's memory alive. Reading your recollections about him never fails to make me smile.