[simple simon]

WASHINGTON -- Buck O'Neil was posthumously awarded the nation's highest civilian honor Friday, cited for a life in baseball after being barred from the national pastime in his prime.


The Negro Leagues player, historian and advocate was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a White House ceremony, less than three months after he died at age 94.


O'Neil missed election to the Hall of Fame by one vote in February, yet he never lost his enthusiasm for the sport. In July, he appeared in the Northern League all-star game, making him the oldest man to play professional baseball.


"They wisely pitched around him and he drew a walk," President Bush joked.


In a 40-minute ceremony under the glittering chandeliers of the East Room, Bush lauded O'Neil for helping break down the barriers of racial prejudice.

"Buck O'Neil lived long enough to see baseball and America change for the better," Bush said. "He's one of the people we can thank for that. Buck O'Neil was a legend and a beautiful human being and we honor the memory of Buck O'Neil."

ESPN.com - MLB - O'Neil posthumously given nation's highest civilian honor

[Lefty Noob]

Good to hear it; just wish he was alive to see it happen. Now we just need to get him in the Hall of Fame.

[simple simon]

i think, and hope, it will happen with this next vote

he should get in with Ripken and them

[MJHMarc]

Buck O' Neal was an inspirational character, but their timing for this ceremony was rather late.

[LSC9901]

It never ceases to amaze me how after a "great" is dead they bestow him with tons of awards. How much more could they be appreciated when the individual is alive to be proud of the accomplishments.