The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) is saddened to report the death of its chairman, John "Buck" O'Neil, one of baseball's all-time greatest ambassadors, who passed away last night. He was 94 years old.
Buck passed away at approximately 9 p.m., Friday at Research Medical Center from complications of congestive heart failure and recently diagnosed bone marrow cancer.
Arrangements are pending for a private funeral to take place on Saturday, Oct. 14, in his beloved Kansas City. A separate memorial service, open to the public, will be held later that day at a location to be determined, to celebrate Buck's remarkable life.
Buck also will lie in state on the Coors Field of Legends at the NLBM, America's Home of Negro Leagues Baseball in the historic 18th & Vine District of Kansas City on Friday, Oct. 13, from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Buck and the late Horace Peterson III co-founded the NLBM, and Buck had served as chairman from its inception in 1990.
Final details of the memorial services will be announced later and will also be available on the NLBM website, www.nlbm.com.
"Nothing was more important to Buck than education. That's why he helped spearhead plans to expand the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, including the building of the Buck O'Neil Education and Research Center," said Bob Kendrick, NLBM Marketing Director. "In lieu of flowers, we are asking all of those who love Buck to contribute to the "˜Thanks a Million, Buck' campaign to help us ensure that Buck's legacy lives on for generations to come."
Tax-deductible contributions can be made through the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum website at www.nlbm.com. Checks can be made out to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and mailed to 1616 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108. In addition, contributions can be made by phone toll-free at 888 221-6526.
The Buck O'Neil Education and Research Center will be part of an expansion of the NLBM to be built at the historic Paseo YMCA, the birthplace of the Negro Leagues. The NLBM's goal is to raise $15 million to renovate and expand the Paseo YMCA. The money will fund the construction, renovation, exhibits and an operating endowment. Incorporating the latest in interactive technology and state-of-the-art research equipment, the expanded NLBM and Buck O'Neil Education and Research Center will allow visitors, students, researchers and baseball fans to study every aspect of the Negro Leagues.
"Buck is a one-of-a-kind legend and we will miss him with all of our hearts," said Mark Bryant, President of the NLBM Board of Directors. "It's a great comfort to know that his selfless spirit and his tremendous legacy to baseball will live on, and the staff of the museum and the Board are committed to extending and enhancing his legacy.
"And, fortunately," Bryant said, "Buck prepared us well for this day. He said many times that to him this new education and research center was his top priority. It will be a great tribute to him for all of his supporters to help us make Buck's dream a reality."
Buck was a smooth-fielding first baseman who twice won Negro Leagues batting titles and then became a pennant-winning manager of the Kansas City Monarchs. O'Neil joined the Chicago Cubs in 1956 and later signed Hall of Famers Lou Brock and Ernie Banks. He became the first black coach in Major League Baseball history with the Cubs in 1962. Buck always worked to keep the legacy of the Negro Leagues alive and helped establish the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in 1990. In July of this year, Congress designated the NLBM as America's official museum of Negro Leagues baseball.