[drjtbowles]

I can't say that I enjoy the reporting style and story content of Stephen A. Smith of ESPN. However, he and I are joined at the hip on being VERY disappointed that Buck O'Neill was not recently inducted into the Baseball H-O-F. I am a Kansas City native and can say that this gentleman is indeed a local and national treasure for what he has done for people and the sport after his career was long over. In my opinion and that of many, induction should transcend simply what the numbers may reflect.

[Lefty Noob]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, drjtbowles. I agree with you 100% about Buck O'Neil and I'd like add Minnie Minoso to the list of guys who should have been in. O'Neil was not only a great player, but also the first African-American coach in the majors and one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Negro League museum. Minoso enjoyed a 17 year MLB career and was a 7-time All-Star. Now, it looks like neither will ever have a chance to get it, and that's just disgraceful.

[Wizard of Os]

Cheers Dr. J for the first time, Lefty as always...

What else can i say but "hear, hear." Thank you for telling it like it is, and Buck O'Neill forever!

[jabbey]

What a travesty this was. Not that the others didn't deserve it, but this guy most definitely deserved it. He has done so much for the Negro Leagues and this is just a slap in the face to him. The class guy that he is though allowed him to just put it aside. He probably won't get inducted until after he dies knowing MLB.

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, drjtbowles & jabbey

I'm not very good with baseball history so I'll share a couple links I found about Buck O'Neil:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_O'Neil Most comprehensive write up on Buck O'Neil that I could find so far.

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseb...ONeil_Buck.stm Short piece on Buck with highlights.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, drjtbowles. I agree with you 100% about Buck O'Neil and I'd like add Minnie Minoso to the list of guys who should have been in. O'Neil was not only a great player, but also the first African-American coach in the majors and one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Negro League museum. Minoso enjoyed a 17 year MLB career and was a 7-time All-Star. Now, it looks like neither will ever have a chance to get it, and that's just disgraceful.

Hey I am down with Minnie Minoso...my parents use to watch him play in Cuba...the man could flat out hit...and he could run pretty darn well too...But hey, you got to mount the right vote getting campaign these days if you are sitting on the bubble...comparing Cuban born player to Cuban born player, I'd take Minnie over Tony Perez any day of the week...no disrespect to Tony and his role in the Big Red Machine...

[Lefty Noob]

How about what happened yesterday? O'Neal became the oldest pro baseball player in history!