The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America

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The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America

by Joe Posnanski (Goodreads Author)

4.38 of 5 stars 4.38 · rating details · 955 ratings · 137 reviews

When Legendary Negro League player Buck O'Neil asked sports columnist Joe Posnanski how he fell in love with baseball, Posnanski had to think about it. From that question was born the idea behind BASEBALL AND JAZZ. Posnanski and the 94 year old O'Neil decided to spend the 2005 baseball season touring the country in hopes of stirring up the love that first drew them to the...more

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published February 27th 2007 by William Morrow

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Nov 02, 2007 Bill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Kansas City sports writer follows Negro Leagues legend, Buck O'Neil, for a year across the country. It's a fabulous, bittersweet biography of sorts of O'Neil and the League itself. The bitterness comes from the reader as you read all the hardships and slights that black players endured to simply play the game. However, O'Neil is nothing but a gut-bucket Zen philosopher throughout the entire journey. So, while parts of it will definitely anger you, O'Neil's spirit is nothing short of awe-inspirin...more

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Mar 30, 2009 Sam Bauman rated it 5 of 5 stars

I bought this book a while ago. I really enjoy Posnanski's blog but I hadn't gotten around to reading the book. Well, I had kept it at work and was working late on an upgrade with some time to kill in the middle and it captured me so I had to read the whole thing pretty quickly.
The book is really just Joe following Buck O'Neil around for a while before Buck's death. But in the course of this he paints a wonderful picture of Buck O'Neil and what a good attitude he had despite what he went throug...more

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Jun 06, 2013 Audra Marvin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: baseball, favorites

Joe Posnanski defines Kansas City sportswriting for many people. I don't know exactly how long he covered Kansas City sports, but it was long enough for him to become beloved by an entire segment of the city: those of us who are sports fans. The Poz is mentioned frequently and fondly when Kansas Citians discuss good sportswriting. (Unfortunately, they're usually drawing unfavorable comparisons between Posnanski and one of his successors, Sam Mellinger. I have no problem with Mellinger. He's a go...more Joe Posnanski defines Kansas City sportswriting for many people. I don't know exactly how long he covered Kansas City sports, but it was long enough for him to become beloved by an entire segment of the city: those of us who are sports fans. The Poz is mentioned frequently and fondly when Kansas Citians discuss good sportswriting. (Unfortunately, they're usually drawing unfavorable comparisons between Posnanski and one of his successors, Sam Mellinger. I have no problem with Mellinger. He's a good writer, logical, rational, and forms strong opinions that he stands behind. But, after reading this book, I understand why Kansas City readers cry out for Joe Posnanski's return. Mellinger is good, and there's nothing wrong with him. Except for the fact that he isn't Posnanski.)

I expected to be disappointed reading this book about Buck O'Neil. I wasn't sure how any attempt to capture Buck O'Neil with the written word could end successfully. I am also not sure how long Posnanski labored to do just that, but he succeeded in spades. The Soul of Baseball chronicles a year-long, cross-country adventure Posnanski took alongside Buck O'Neil in Buck's 94th year of life. The book encompasses one year. And yet, somehow, Poz and Buck manage to squeeze in 70+ years of baseball history too, especially Negro Leagues history (as would be expected, since Buck never played Major League Baseball).

I don't know what to write about this book. Words cannot describe Buck O'Neil. Buck O'Neil must be experienced, and Joe Posnanski allows the reader to experience him perfectly. The Soul of Baseball is about Buck O'Neil, who - many would say - is certainly the definition of the soul of baseball. But it's also about a less tangible, less identifiable soul - backbone, heart, core - of baseball. Buck O'Neil, who died shortly after this book was finished but before it was published, exemplified the soul of baseball, but the soul of baseball itself is love of the game. And love of people who play the game. And love of the fans who faithfully watch the game being played. A refrain Buck repeats throughout the book is that "Baseball doesn't change." And he's right. The heart of it, the soul of it, hasn't changed. Baseball represents the pursuit of greatness, of integrity, of immortality, of achievement, of relationship - all of those things we as human beings pursue every day in our own ways. And that is the soul of it.

The only thing I hate about this book is that it ends without Buck O'Neil getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Of course, that isn't the book's fault. That's just a heartbreaking fact. I cried many times reading this book. There was one paragraph near the beginning of the book that I read five different times, and cried just as hard every time I read it. I even read it aloud to a friend and couldn't get through it without crying.

Buck and Poz. A perfect duo.(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 Kerry Waller rated it 5 of 5 stars

Incredibly captivating. Posnanski is one of my favorite sports writers. He has a knack for getting right to the heart of any topic and identifying the most important details and margins upon which any sports debate should turn, and then finds amazing ways to articulate his points. In The Soul of Baseball, you get to add the fascinating stories and staggering charisma of Buck O'Neil a former Negro League baseball player who became his league's ambassador in the effort to get a comprehensive Negro...more

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Apr 16, 2012 CB rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Even if you don't know a baseball from a basketball and care even less about the distinction, this book is well worth the read. Buck O'Neil was an inspiration to people of all colors, shapes and sizes and proof that while age might slow you down physically, it is not an obstacle for the soul. He was fighting for what he believed at ninety-four, and his efforts to keep the history of the Negro Leagues and its amazing players alive, vibrant and relevant are still paying off and will continue to do...more

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Aug 11, 2010 Jason Smith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sports

I've been following Joe Posnanski's writing for some time now. I read most of his blog posts—golf and LeBron posts excepted—and try to hunt down his long form articles. His recent one on Musial in SI was great. There a lot's of reasons for why he's one of the very few sports writers I make an effort to read all of their work. Some of it is an affinity I hold for fellow Missourian (Pos wrote for the KC Star for a long time), and a reverence I hold to professional Royals fans, something that requi...more I've been following Joe Posnanski's writing for some time now. I read most of his blog posts—golf and LeBron posts excepted—and try to hunt down his long form articles. His recent one on Musial in SI was great. There a lot's of reasons for why he's one of the very few sports writers I make an effort to read all of their work. Some of it is an affinity I hold for fellow Missourian (Pos wrote for the KC Star for a long time), and a reverence I hold to professional Royals fans, something that requires a steel stomach lining and tolerance for routine, crushing disappointment. There is, of course, a stronger reason for my fandom: Posnanski's utterly unsportswriter approach to writing about why we love the silly games we do.

In saying that, I need to point out that this book, while certainly moving and emotional throughout, is bereft of the hollow sentimentality of Albom (ignore the unfortunate pull quote on the cover) or the needling nostalgia for a game long gone and likely never existed. Much of that is thanks to the writer's subject, the 94-year-old Buck O'Neil, African American baseball pioneer and tireless advocate for the players that used to make up the old Negro Leagues.

A marginal player at best, Buck nevertheless has impacted how we understand the years of segregated baseball perhaps more so than the legends that played it, i.e. Satchell Page, Josh Gibson, etc. He helped found the Negros League Museum in KC—a trip I recommend every single baseball fan make, it's incredible—and relentlessly speaks as to anybody and everybody about those men; at tiny Kansas towns, to David Letterman, to every baseball stadium in the nation. And his talking works. He, like the writer, recoils at any mention that the game "ain't what it used to be"—although he does miss how people used to dress up for games, something I, too, think was fantastic. Baseball will always be baseball. No need to demonize those caught with steroids, all baseball players were looking for an extra edge since the game began. Players are paid too much? Buck will quickly point out that he could have used the money.

What's important about the past that Posnanski and O'Neil uncover is that these players were great. Some of the best athletes the game has ever seen, and just because they were excluded because of a pernicious hatred in this country doesn't mean they should fade from the story of the game as they themselves die off. And as evidenced by the number of people that show up to hear him tell his stories, that listen intently to the nineteen thousandth time he's told the "Nancy" story (read to find out), I think Buck accomplished his goal.

A very good book, the only complaint about which is that I wish there was more to it. Perhaps one day Posnanski can write an expanded 800 page oral history (probably too late) of Negro League baseball.(less)

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Oct 21, 2011 Josh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sports, non-fiction

This is a lovely and lyrical journey through the life of the late Buck O'Neil, one of the legendary Men of Baseball. It just feels right to sum up Buck O'Neil that way; he wasn't just a player or a manager (though he was terrific at both. He was more than just a great scout and coach. He's more than just a legendary storyteller and promoter of the game. He's all of these things and more, and you get a great sense of that in Posnanski's book.

This book is really just a snapshot of the life of Buck...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Daran Washington added it

“Baseball is for the Pastor and Baseball is for the Pimp.” – Buck O’Neil. This was by far one of the best books I've ever read. Joe Posnanski is a sports columnist who followed Buck O'Neil around America as Buck gave talks and visited with friends and watched baseball games. Buck the former all time legend tried to show how he experienced baseball back in his time. The book is great for the baseball fan. Buck O'Neil's stories from life and baseball are priceless.

Buck O'Neil is the Albert Pujols...more

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Dec 02, 2011 Josh Duggan rated it 5 of 5 stars

There is very little impartiality going into my thoughts on this book, as Posnanski is probably my favorite sports writer, and his blog was the first to be entered into the links section here.

That being said, this book was great. It was an incredibly fast read dedicated to a great man, whose efforts to spread the word about the colorful history of Negro League Baseball and his crowning achievement--the Negro League Hall of Fame--drove him to the end. As much as his efforts to keep the memory of...more There is very little impartiality going into my thoughts on this book, as Posnanski is probably my favorite sports writer, and his blog was the first to be entered into the links section here.

That being said, this book was great. It was an incredibly fast read dedicated to a great man, whose efforts to spread the word about the colorful history of Negro League Baseball and his crowning achievement--the Negro League Hall of Fame--drove him to the end. As much as his efforts to keep the memory of the largely forgotten and historically relegated Negro League alive in our collective consciousness started to define who Buck O'Neill was later on in life, it does not take long to see just how much of his success was the result of his kind heart, gentle disposition, and warmth of spirit.

The book is also teeming with great stories of baseball's yesteryear, like Buck O'Neill going to Billy Williams's home (Williams had left his minor league team following one in a series of many discriminatory episodes in his young career ) and staying with them for days, not mentioning baseball once, waiting for Billy to come back on his own terms--well, he also paid some neighborhood kids off to help his cause. His insight into the game was legendary, and his stories ranged from having seen Babe Ruth play when he was a child to hearing that same crack of the bat decades later when Bo Jackson played. He lived in Kansas City in its heyday, saw Charlie Parker playing on the streets as a child, and was close friends with Satchel Paige.

This really is a must-read for any baseball fan or anyone who has the desire to see what makes a man who holds no grudge against anyone, despite having what most would justifiably assume was ample reason to be mad at the world at large. Buck O'Neill's love for baseball and life shine through with ease, and Posnanski's love for his subject and baseball itself certainly do not hurt Buck's cause here. Oh, and the last two chapters are absolutely crushing.

Originally reviewed at http://inconsiderateprick.blogspot.co...(less)

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Mar 21, 2011 Sherie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Sherie by: Brooke

When I was growing up, major league baseball was my game. I knew little of the history of the game and cared only for the "great" players whose pictures and stats were on all the baseball cards. This book is about the game around the edges, but it's focus is on a man whose face, name and/or stats were probably never on one of those baseball cards. It is about a man who never lost faith in the "greatest game in the world", accepted it as it morphed through a cloud of drug-enhancing scandal, and a...more

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May 18, 2011 Kevin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've heard of Buck O'Neil but didn't really know that much about him, so when I saw this book where the author, Joe Posnanski calls him The Soul of Baseball I couldn't resist giving it a shot. Turns out the name was quite fitting. O'Neil was both a player and manager in the Negro Leagues and became the first African American to coach in The Major Leagues. Posnanski had the opportunity to spend a year traveling with the 94 year old Buck as he traversed the country speaking about his time in the N...more

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May 10, 2012 Justin Searcy is currently reading it

The Soul of Baseball is a great book that talk bout how Buck O'Neil one of the greatest legendary Negro League player to ever play the game. The author Joe Posnanski asked Buck how he fell in love with the sport and the world was shock by the question. So the whole 2005 season Buck and Joe took a tour of the country to rediscover the love of the game.

Buck O'Neil is ninety-four and love baseball and he also love jazz, Americas music Buck would say. O'Neil played during the era were greed, and ste...more The Soul of Baseball is a great book that talk bout how Buck O'Neil one of the greatest legendary Negro League player to ever play the game. The author Joe Posnanski asked Buck how he fell in love with the sport and the world was shock by the question. So the whole 2005 season Buck and Joe took a tour of the country to rediscover the love of the game.

Buck O'Neil is ninety-four and love baseball and he also love jazz, Americas music Buck would say. O'Neil played during the era were greed, and steriod-enhanced athletes have come the picture of professional ball. Posnanski offer to bring the love back to baseball and join O'Neil on his tour to see why Buck love baseball, he also said that Posnanski was an extraordinary man and who enjoy and love life.

The author Joe Posnanski used to be a sports columnist for the Kansas City star since 1996. He won the AP Sports Columnist of the Year Award, one of the nation most top honor for sport writing. Joe Posnanski capture the real love of baseball when he was with Buck and see how it suppose to be played just for the love of the game not for the fame and money, but to put smiles on little kids faces and entertain the fans.

Buck and Joe went from cities like Houston to Washington visiting famous players and watching baseball games to see how these new players play now. They also met players who was sons to great players and it was only like three fathers and sons dual in baseball. They was good as their fathers maybe even better and it was alot of pressure on them to live up to their father name and also make a name for themself.

They also went to a ballgame in Houston were Buck sat in to watch the stars of now play. He watch Roger Clemens pitch and Buck said he was one of the best pitchers he seen and nobody couln't hit the balls he threw. Buck also said he could see players like Babe Ruth, Josh Gibbons, and Willie Mays out their playing in these young players they got now.

In my conclusion The Soul of Baseball is a good book and show how the game changed from just the love of playing to all about the money and fame. The players they have can be good players if they remember the love for the game and leave the drugs alone and not worrying bout the greed of the game. I think Buck wouldn't mind reminding them or neither will Joe Posnanski.

(less)

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Apr 02, 2012 Richard Stubbe rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wish I had clipped a thousand anecdotes from this book about Buck O'Neil.

Here's one, about how players remembered the travel during the Negro Leagues in the 1940s:

"I lost half my life on those creaky old buses," a tall old pitcher named Connie Johnson said. "Those buses would break down three times a week. I can still feel the rattling in my bones. Sometimes I shake in the middle of the night and I think it's from those old rides."

Other Negro Leagues players said the same.

Buck rode the same bu...more

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Apr 20, 2013 Ron Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Like any baseball fan, I knew Buck O'Neil as a great baseball ambassador, and the man who did the most to keep the memory of the Negro Leagues alive. Until I read Joe Posnanski's wonderful book, however, I didn't know what an impact Buck had on some of the game's greatest players, like Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Lou Brock. Buck's snubbing by the Hall of Fame soon before he died got a lot of attention, but the man was almost too good for the Hall. Buck O'Neil was not just a great baseball m...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Kevin rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is another one that I think I posted about before I had quite finished. When I finished it, I was close to tears. This is a book that will be mandatory reading for my children. The author is a columnist in Kansas City, and he writes about a year that he spent traveling with Buck O'Neil. A simple set up, and a simple book that mostly recounts stories told by O'Neil and observations of O'Neil interacting with all kinds of people. At the end of it, I am simply left to say that if a son of mine...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Edward rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I just came across this book by accident seeing a mention of it on a web site. It looked great and it is great. With the start of a new baseball season and the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park, it just made sense to give it a read. It was more than a baseball read, it was the story of the last year of a truly wonderful man, Buck O'Neil, a legend in the Negro Baseball League and a man who just loved baseball and loved life. If you are not ready to let the little disappointments in life go after r...more

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May 19, 2010 Jim rated it 5 of 5 stars

A fine book. A fine baseball book. The author travels with Buck O'Neil, a former player in the Negro Baseball League. Buck is 94 years old during this year and is propoting the Negro Baseball Museum and getting former Negro baseball players in th Hall of Fame. The book is packed with baseball stories and anecdotes about the famous and obscure; Satchel Paige, Mays, Monte Irvin, Jackie Robinson, Earl Wilson, Enos Slaughter, PeeWee Reese, Horace Stoneham and Cool Papa Bell. The book captures rhe id...more

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Feb 11, 2009 Jennelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall this was a great book, and definitely worth reading. However, there were times when I felt there was something missing. I'm still not sure what that something was. I will say, that the further I got into the book, the less I felt that way. Around the time the book talked about Robert Paige (Satchel Paige's son), I didn't want to put the book down. Even though this book isn't just about Buck O'Neil, he was a truly great human being. I found myself wishing I had had the opportunity to cros...more

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Mar 25, 2011 Chris Holliman rated it 3 of 5 stars

Read this book and learn from a great philosopher not only of baseball, but also of life: Buck O'Neil. The author Joe Posnanski follows the former Negro League player and manager as he tours the country visiting fans and ballparks. Along the way we learn of the trials that Mr. O'Neil faced throughout his playing career. But the deeper message is brought to us as we slowly watch how Mr. O'Neil, well into his nineties, has kept a joyful soul in the face of much pain and adversity. He spreads that...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wonderful book about a man who shows no bitterness toward a very dark era of American history. The stories he tells are entertaining and amusing at times, others are sad. Having grown up after the integration of baseball, many of these stories were lost to me. O'Neil is an American hero of sorts and Posnanski does an admirable job of telling his tale. Recommended to any baseball fan young or old, there are stories and lessons here that should not be forgotten or buried. A very enjoyable book ove...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Doug Dams rated it 5 of 5 stars

Joe Pasnanski is a sports columnist who followed Buck O'Neil around America as Buck gave talks, visited with friends and watched baseball games. The book is great for the baseball fan. Buck O'Neils stories from life and baseball are priceless. The story of why Satchel Paige always called Buck "Nancy" is terrific. Plus Buck's philosophy of life comes through and everyone can learn something from this book. This was a good read and it makes you feel better about life, baseball and the memory you h...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Robert rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Author travels with 90+ year old Buck O'Neil, former Negro League Player. Looks at the Negro Leagues through the eyes of one of the few living players. Turns out, Buck O'Neil is one of the true "also-rans" of sports history. He almost made it to the Major Leagues as a player, he almost was the first Major League Black Manager, he almost made it into the Baseball Hall Of Fame and he almost made it to his 95th birthday.
Having been not elected to the Hall Of Fame (which I think was disgraceful)...more

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May 19, 2012 Pete rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-books

Recently I received a Nook as a graduation present. After loading up Game of Thrones on it, I decided I wanted to purchase an ebook right from my Nook. I must admit, I am a sucker for non-fiction works. I love reading autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs on a litany of topics. Most notably, I love non-fiction titles centered around sports heroes, villains,and sports history in general. Out of all the sports I love, the history of baseball always grabs me the most. Deciding to purchase a ba...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Michael McKinney rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: monster

This book is about A Sports columnist for the Kansas City Star, Joe Posnanski was trying to write a book about the Negro Leagues, but he wasn't getting nowhere at all at first . O'Neil had challenged him to write the first book that would describe what the Negro Leagues were really like, but Posnanski finally realized that he had to put aside his sports writer ego to accomplish the goal. He couldn't treat the people like regular journalists treat people when they cover stories like steroids, sky...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Jimmy Autrey rated it 2 of 5 stars

I love baseball. I love Buck O'Neil. Sadly, I did not love this baseball book about Buck O'Neil. As much as I was looking forward to getting into some really good baseball stories from a guy who really lived it I was left wanting. The book got such good ratings for its writing, but almost all of the chapters followed the same script! Buck and I go to a game honoring former Negro League ballplayers. Buck smiles as he autographs baseballs. Another Negro League player complains about how he was tre...more

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Jun 28, 2011 Justin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cultural

One of the better sports writers of our time spends a year traveling the country with one of the lesser known legends of baseball. Buck O'Neil, one of the lesser known stars of the Kansas City Monarch, shines as both a beacon of quiet prophetic wisdom and a depository of an almost lost cultural history as he travels the country to retell the story of the negro leagues leading up to the historic signing of Jackie Robinson by the Brooklyn Dodgers signaling racial integration. Posnanski does an inc...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Andre rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Now that I’ve finished reading it, I can’t really classify The Soul of Baseball. It’s not really a baseball book. It’s certainly not a biography. I can’t even say it’s a portrait of a man. The Soul of Baseball is so much more than any of that. I guess that, more than anything, I can call it a gift. A gift. Yes. I like that.

The Soul of Baseball is the result of sportswriter Joe Posnanski spending a little more than a year traveling the United States with Buck O’Neil. Buck, a man I’ve never met bu...more Now that I’ve finished reading it, I can’t really classify The Soul of Baseball. It’s not really a baseball book. It’s certainly not a biography. I can’t even say it’s a portrait of a man. The Soul of Baseball is so much more than any of that. I guess that, more than anything, I can call it a gift. A gift. Yes. I like that.

The Soul of Baseball is the result of sportswriter Joe Posnanski spending a little more than a year traveling the United States with Buck O’Neil. Buck, a man I’ve never met but felt like I’ve known my whole life, was widely known as America’s ambassador to baseball and, especially, the Negro Leagues. Although he never played in the Major Leagues, Buck O’Neil was the first Black man to coach at that level. He was also a longtime scout. More importantly, though, he was a fun, charismatic, and loveable guy who made you laugh, cry, and think.

At the book begins, Buck is 93 going on 94, and still maintaining a full schedule of promotions, interviews, public appearances, and campaigning on behalf of other former Negro League players for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Posnanski does an excellent job of weaving poignant stories from O’Neil’s past into the present day’s story. There are also references to past stars like Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Ernie Banks, and others. And it all seems natural—because it is all natural.

Posnanski shows Buck to be an example of how free and easy a man can live when he doesn’t hold onto the negatives in life. By painting the portrait of O’Neil that we see in The Soul of Baseball, we readers can see how much our burdens bring us down. And Buck shows us that we don’t have to be that way.

Going in, I knew how the story would end. Still, The Soul of Baseball made me feel good. Buck O’Neil’s words and life are good life lessons that come across in an impactful way without the slightest bit of preaching. The further I read, I kept thinking that I want to have that man’s disposition when I get that old.

The Soul of Baseball was an excellent, excellent read. I’m pretty sure I’ll reread this one every couple of years for the rest of my life. You should, too.(less)

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May 15, 2011 Ralph rated it 5 of 5 stars

Not at all what you might think at first glance. This book is full of heart, full of soul, and full of the grace of this one man.
A tale of one man's goal to represent the Negro Leagues in all of its true condition - not as a minstrel-like, pathetic copy of white baseball, and not as a rose-colored glasses portrayal either. Just a man remembering the joy of the game, and the joy of the players who played it for the right reasons.
O'Neil just wanted people to know that talented people played for t...more

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Mar 14, 2008 Stephanie Griffin rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: baseball fans.

I recently watched the 10-disc Ken Burns series “Baseball” on DVD. In this series, my favorite interview person was Buck O’Neil. His enthusiasm was contagious, so I was thrilled to come across “The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O’Neil’s America”. It was written by the sports columnist Joe Posnanski, who followed O’Neil in his travels throughout the 2005 Major League Baseball season. O’Neil, at 94, was one of the last players left from the Negro Baseball League. He was also the first...more

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Dec 27, 2009 Jacob rated it 4 of 5 stars

I already knew I loved Buck O'Neil, and I already knew that I loved Joe Posnanski, so this was pretty much a shoe-in for a nice, happy, enjoyable read, and it certainly was.

Buck O'Neil is the Dalai Lama of the Negro Leagues. (Even though he died several years ago, I find it hard to use the past tense. He has done so much work, and his voices lives on in this book and in Ken Burns' documentary. Plus no one has taken up his role, so it is still his). He worked hard to spread the truth about the N...more I already knew I loved Buck O'Neil, and I already knew that I loved Joe Posnanski, so this was pretty much a shoe-in for a nice, happy, enjoyable read, and it certainly was.

Buck O'Neil is the Dalai Lama of the Negro Leagues. (Even though he died several years ago, I find it hard to use the past tense. He has done so much work, and his voices lives on in this book and in Ken Burns' documentary. Plus no one has taken up his role, so it is still his). He worked hard to spread the truth about the Negro Leagues (though he certainly like to mix in a tall tale from time to time). Mainly he wanted everyone to know that they weren't miserable. Being segregated was hard, yes. But "We could play" and they enjoyed the hell out of it.

But Buck O'Neal is the Negro League Dalai Lama, not just simply because he was their spiritual leader (and in exile of sorts--maybe that's a stretch), but because I imagine that only the Dalai Lama could have a more positive view of life on Earth. Buck is happy man, and finds joy at every turn, and it's simply hard not smile through most of the book.

Of course, you get this quite quickly, but is hammered home so much that I do yearn for a bit more complexity to this man, and not a million Buck cheered someone up, or found the good in a shitty situation or brought joy to everyone despite being 94 and tired as hell story. (I loved all these stories, don't get me wrong), but I yearned for more of the details, especially for Buck's managerial and scouting career. His love for baseball is incredibly intense, that the most beautiful parts of the book are when Buck was talking about baseball (not telling tall tales of Negro League players or stories about their lives on the road). I loved for example, as he watched Roger Clemens face Greg Maddux and the joy he had for the whole baseball experience, and his personal takes on each player. Or when talks about the travails of the Kansas City Royals, or notices the hop in the follow-through of a pitcher, or argues that the game hasn't changed

Regardless, it is a delightful read, Buck is a very wise man, and I nearly cried at the end of the book when he doesn't make the hall of fame. If you love baseball, was capitivated by Buck O'Neil in Ken Burns' documentary, want to know more about the Negro Leagues or need to be reminded to be happy more often, then you will enjoy this book.

I sure wish Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Oscar Charleston, Hilton Smith, Monte Irvin and all the other stars could've played in the Majors. It is so irritating to "never know."

On that note, if you've read this review, you should read this blog post by Joe Posnanski, which just happened to come out right before I finished the book. (less)

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About Joe Posnanski

Joe Posnanski is sports columnist for The Kansas City Star and Sports Illustrated. He has twice been named the best sports columnist in America by The Associated Press Sports Editors.

He has written two books, “The Good Stuff,” a collection of columns, and “The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O’Neil’s America,” which won the Casey Award as best baseball book of 2007. His work has been...more

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Books by Joe Posnanski

The Machine: A Hot Team, a Legendary Season, and a Heart-stopping World Series: The Story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds

The Good Stuff: Columns about the Magic of Sports

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The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America

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