Buck O'Neil gets Denied the Hall of Fame

by John Amato on Mar 1, 2006 9:37 PM EST in News Comment 8 comments

Keith Olbermann had a great segment on Countdown yesterday-that shows how the great Buck O'Neil was screwed. He also interviewed Ernie Banks to get his thoughts on this painful subject.

See the Video-it's about 9 minutes long.

Video-WMP Video-QT

transcript

Olbermann: The man some call baseball`s greatest ambassador was denied admission on Monday to its Hall of Fame, in what is scheduled to be his last opportunity for election. Tuesday, he told the people who voted against him that he would be happy to speak at the induction ceremonies anyway on behalf of the 17 deceased individuals who they did elect.

Our number one story on the COUNTDOWN, that is Buck O`Neil in a nutshell. Ninety-four years old, first baseman on four pennant winners and manager of five more in the old Negro Leagues, the first man of color to be a coach in the major leagues, also told the rest of us who are still incensed at the snub not to be angry at those voters.

This while those voters continued to hide behind the cloak of anonymity, refusing to say who voted for O`Neil and the equally deserving Minnie Minoso and who didn`t and why. This while it proves that the voting process that excluded O`Neil and the 83-year-old Minoso was a blank check, a yes or no ballot. The 12-member committee had 39 finalists to select from; it could have elected all 39, O`Neil and Minoso included, if it had wanted to. ...read on

0 recs | Comment 8 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

O'Neil

Buck O'Neil is too classy for the Hall of Fame.

by lee on Mar 2, 2006 12:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I really wasn't worked up about this

It's a shame that Buck O'Neil wasn't inducted, because he's handled himself with class and has really been good for the game.
But
I don't know much about his stats as a player or as a manager. If the committee didn't see him as equal to the 17 other players they inducted, I've had too many other issues with the HoF committee to really get my ire up.
At first thought that they ought to induct him as the first black manager, but my buddy pointedly asked me if they ought to automatically induct the first Latino player or manager into the Hall. I thought about it and reversed my position.
Am I a bad person to not care much?

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Mar 2, 2006 8:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I just don't get it

Buck O'Neill, Minnie Minoso?

Honestly, my recollection of Minnie Minoso is that he lined a single into rightfield when he was like 60. I believe he did so to set some sort of record.

After reviewing his statistics, I share jscape's opinion on this. I simply don't care. He wasn't a superstar, or even a pioneer in the game, but rather a good-will ambassador, like O'Neill.

Frankly, I'd rather see Pete in the hall... but that's another issue.

by 22Ronster on Mar 3, 2006 9:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree about Pete

But is plaque ought to read BANNED FROM BASEBALL FOR LIFE just under his picture.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Mar 3, 2006 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Minoso

i'm guessing you are a bit younger than i am. :) Minoso was one of the most dominant players in the 50's -- according to Olbermann he had the sixth highest batting average in the majors over that period. and Bill James ranks him 10th all-time amongst left fielders. combine all that with him being to Latin players what Frank Robinson was to blacks, and it sure looks like Hall of Fame material to me.

by lee on Mar 3, 2006 11:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs