Why isn't Buck O'neill in the Baseball Hall Of Fame?

Question

What are the reasons people are giving for not wanting him in the HOF?

Answer 1

If you want to put people in for being "a nice guy" then Buck belongs. If, on the other hand the HOF is for the truely great basball players, I don't think having a lifetime BA of .280 in what was the equivalent of AA baseball qualifies...

Don't get me wrong there were some great players in the ***** leagues, but, only a small number at any one time. The super stars of the ***** leagues still took several years to adjust to ML baseball...That is, to become stars...Jackie Robinson was 28 when he broke in as a rookie with the Dodgers, and that was after he spent some time in the minor leagues.. Robinson was good his first 2 seasons, he certainly wasn't great..Years 3 through 8, how that's a different story he was great and his 1951 season is one of the best ever by a 2nd baseman...It took the best of the best from the ***** leagues, generally 2 or 3 years to adjust to the higher level of play...Roy Campanella played 9 years in the ***** league, when signed by the Dodgers he spent 2 more in the minors before playing for the big club...Larry Doby went straight to the Indians but it really took him until his 4th season to be a star player...For anyone who doesn't know who Larry Doby was he was the first black player in the American League...

NO, I'm not a racist!! I think it was a huge injustice that the best of the best were unable to play against each other in the ML before 1947...But, I have 6 books full of player/stats and history sitting next to me that I have written on the modern history of baseball (1946-2006) And reverse racism serves no purpose now either..The great "white" players who played through the integration era, their numbers were not adversely effected by the influx of black players...Baseball is a lot more fun to watch with white/black/latin/asian players all adding to the mix...

Answer 2

It will probably never be established beyond a doubt that Buck's ***** League numbers come up short, because the stats for the ***** Leagues are nowhere close to being complete.

It's generally acknowledged that O'Neil is not as good as Buck Leonard, but Buck Leonard was very close to Lou Gehrig in terms of ability, and is considered the best first baseman in ***** League history (by far).

Bill James ranked O'Neil as the 4th best first baseman in the history of the ***** Leagues in his historical abstract, describing him as a Mark Grace/Mickey Vernon type of player (except Buck hit right-handed).

Buck was very graceful, an excellent baserunner, and had a great arm as well. He won the ***** American League batting title in 1946.

If he can not be voted in as a player, for whatever reasons the Veteran's Committee wants to give, then fine. But he should at least be in there for what they call 'Meritorious Service'... He's the greatest ambassador baseball could possibly have.

FYI, Buck O'Neil will turn 95 this November. He was born in 1911.

O'Neil was a member of the 18-member Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans Committee from 1981 to 2000 and played an important role in the induction of eight ***** League players during that time. O'Neil was nominated to a special Hall ballot for ***** League players, managers, and executives in 2006, but he failed to receive the necessary 75% to gain admission.

After hearing that he had not been elected to the Hall at age 94, O'Neil spoke to about 200 well-wishers who had gathered to celebrate, but instead stood hushed and solemn, telling the crowd:

God's been good to me. They didn't think Buck was good enough to be in the Hall of Fame. That's the way they thought about it and that's the way it is, so we're going to live with that. Now, if I'm a Hall of Famer for you, that's all right with me. Just keep loving old Buck. Don't weep for Buck. No, man, be happy, be thankful.

The man exudes nothing but class. He should be in. Very well might be the best ambassador the game has ever known.

Answer 3

I really don't know his numbers from the ***** leagues and whether they match up or not. I can tell you this that there are players in the HOF that don't deserve it. Maybe one day the Veterans Committee will put him in.
I would like to add to a point about what Mickey Mantle said.
As far as I am concerned all records before 1947 (before Jackie Robinson) are suspect because of a lack of participation by the black athlete.

P.S. Example of my point: Several old timers (former major leaguers and HOF members have said that Satchel Paige ( entered the majors at 42 - pitched 3 scoreless in 1965 at age 59) was the greatest pitcher they had ever faced.

Answer 4

If you are a "true" baseball fan......you will know what he is to the game....an "ambassador"...don't really think that his numbers in the "***** Leagues" were up to par to be inducted in....it makes for a "tough" situation for the committee.....if you allow him how do you justify others with similar numbers and when you don't let him in you catch a lot of "flack" as the are right now.....really an entertaining individual that gives you a lot of insight as to the things that "*****" players back then went thru.....can"t imagine what the records would have been had they been allowed.......good idea for a Movie....what if there had been no segregation... would there still be a Ruth.....Gretzky.....Marciano....think of all of these no black athletes.....or even Fred Astaire...Ginger Rogers.....what would our world be like if there had been no segregation!!

Answer 5

He didn't have HOF numbers as a player but he has been a wonderful ambassador for the game for decades. Baseballs needs to find a place for him in Cooperstown.

Answer 6

I think it's ignorance more than anything else. His stats, such as they are, don't overwhelm the voters, and they've done very little to learn his importance in the game of baseball.

A ***** Leagues batting title, manager of players like Ernie Banks and Elston Howard, the first black coach in MLB history, and one of the great ***** League voices. O'Neill should be recognized for his contributions to the game.

Answer 7

Buck was a good player but not great. His name is known because he played in the ***** leagues and is still able talk about even though he is fairly old. He also never tires of telling anyone about his playing days and how great he and others were.

Answer 8

I heard that his numbers just don't match up as well to the others. But since he's such a valuable ambassador to the game, I think that most people believe he should be in there.

Answer 9

What are you talking about? I just watched sports this morning and there he was at Cooperstown making a speech. He got inducted with Bruce Sutter, didn't he?

Answer 10

cause of stupid sports writers who won't fully recognize his importance to the game and the memory of the ***** Leagues.