“Buck O’Neil: Right on Time”
One Week left to Experience the Life and Legacy of a Baseball Legend
This week is the last chance to learn the story and experience the glory of a national baseball giant, Sarasota treasure and a Newtown son through rare archival photos, panels and videos. The life of John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil is on display in the Sarasota neighborhood where he grew up before eventually playing on the semiprofessional level at age 12. He moved from the Memphis Red Sox to first baseman for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues. He is the recipient of a lifetime achievement award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. And later this year, it is anticipated that his name will be listed among baseball greats in the Hall of Fame.
When asked about Mr. O’Neil’s chance of receiving long overdue recognition, Mr. Bob Kendrick, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president said he is hopeful that the name of the first African American Major League Baseball coach will be on the ballot this December.
“They have a committee now that they call the Golden Era Committee and we have every belief that Buck will be on that ballot,”
Mr. Kendrick said.
During a Zoom discussion presented by the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition and Sister Cities of Sarasota, Mr. Kendrick recalled the announcement for Hall of Fame awardees on February 27, 2006.
“Our suitcases were packed. And in hand were airline tickets purchased by the Hall of Fame committee.”
An audience of 300 gathered for the celebration on the Field of Legends. But Buck was one vote short. “It was the greatest day and the most disappointing day in my personal and professional career. It was also one of the most inspirational days of my life because Buck O’Neil delivered the most eloquent concession speech. It was an amazing display of strength of character,” according to Mr. Kendrick. Two months later, Mr. O’Neil died.
Sponsored by the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, the Baltimore Orioles, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the City of Sarasota and Newtown Alive, the “Buck O’Neil: Right on Time” exhibition remains open through March 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex and Saturday 1 – 4 p.m. A small closing reception will be held March 18, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
“It is as if Buck dropped in to visit us for a month to provide an uplift. Visitors can hear his voice in the room. His spirit is ever present. I’m sad that the exhibit is returning to Kansas City. We need a permanent display here about this powerful, gentle, charming, ambassador of true and reconciliation. It’s a privilege to share his story,”
said SAACC President/CEO Vickie Oldham.
Baseball fans and players from Sarasota and Riverview High Schools visited the show. SHS baseball coach Clyde Metcalfe remembers the community wide celebration. Mr. O’Neil was presented something that he wanted but was denied, a high school diploma from SHS and gifts. “That day, I had the honor of presenting to him a retired baseball jersey. We had it framed. He was very emotional and teared up. It was obvious that he wished for the opportunity to play here. It meant a great deal to our baseball program,” said Mr. Metcalfe.
Past NAACP president and Newtown Alive’s Walter Gilbert led the effort to transport the exhibit from Kansas City to Newtown and greeted exhibition visitors at the Rec Center.
“It was a labor of love for me. I met him when he came over for visits with my dad. O’Neil taught the importance of education, hard work, and love for all people,”
said Gilbert.
Mr. O’Neil’s impact on American baseball is chronicled in a memoir, I Was Right on Time, another book The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O’Neil’s America by Joe Posnanski, the Ken Burns 1994 PBS documentary Baseball, and is showcased at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. This year is the celebration of his 100th birthday. The Twin Lakes Baseball Complex in Sarasota bears his name.
Plans are underway to unveil a mural and add the baseball legend’s name to the field at Newtown Estates Park. For more information, contact Kaveecia Moore, (941) 586-0848.
