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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Buck's love of baseball shines through
This is the best book on baseball I've ever read. It's one of my favorite books of the past few years I've been to Kauffman Stadium many times and heard references to the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat. I felt bad that I didn't know much about him. Then this book showed up in my recommendations. I read it in less than a day and ended up ordering two more books about baseball's history. Through Posnanski's understated and conversational prose, Buck O'Neil comes to life as a humble man who loved baseball and fought hard so that some of its most important stories would never be forgotten.
This is the best book on baseball I've ever read. It's one of my favorite books of the past few years I've been to Kauffman Stadium many times and heard references to the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat. I felt bad that I didn't know much about him. Then this book showed up in my recommendations. I read it in less than a day and ended up ordering two more books about baseball's history. Through Posnanski's understated and conversational prose, Buck O'Neil comes to life as a humble man who loved baseball and fought hard so that some of its most important stories would never be forgotten.
I first heard the author on a radio interview last year talking about Buck O'Neil and have been wanting to read it ever since.
The book brings back some really vivid baseball memories. Especially in a time where we are dealing with temperatures in the teens (well some of us are) it feels great being put in that setting: green grass, hot sun, lazy fly balls.
What makes this book different than others though is learning about Buck O'Neil and the positive attitude he has about EVERYTHING. He was one of those people who you would meet and he would always have a smile and a story. The little nuggets of wisdom taken from this book can make each of us a better person, or at the least live with a happier outlook on life. Reading about people like Buck, gives us all someone to strive to be like when we catch ourselves not at our best.
The book brings back some really vivid baseball memories. Especially in a time where we are dealing with temperatures in the teens (well some of us are) it feels great being put in that setting: green grass, hot sun, lazy fly balls.
What makes this book different than others though is learning about Buck O'Neil and the positive attitude he has about EVERYTHING. He was one of those people who you would meet and he would always have a smile and a story. The little nuggets of wisdom taken from this book can make each of us a better person, or at the least live with a happier outlook on life. Reading about people like Buck, gives us all someone to strive to be like when we catch ourselves not at our best.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I've long been a big fan of Posnanski's blog and various other online/print work, so I probably should've read one of his books a while ago. I didn't know much about Buck O'Neil before reading this, but now I wish I had learned more about him while he was alive. This is an excellent baseball book, and a worthy tribute to Buck O'Neil and the experiences of the players in the Negro Leagues.
A feel-good baseball memoir if ever there was one. What a joy to spend some time with a genuine character like Buck O'Neil -- through whose kindness, enthusiasm, and wisdom baseball has never shined brighter.
Someone once called this the baseball version of Tuedays with Morrie. It's that good! Heck, it's better! Buck O'Neil is a true American hero. This book will make you believe that.
Buck O'Neil is truly one of baseball's unsung heroes. He was a gentle giant, humble, funny, kind and introspective. Buck O'Neil was not only the first African American to coach in Major League Baseball but also the memorable first baseman, scout and manager of the famed Kansas City Monarchs, one of the premier teams of the Negro Leagues that hosted such players as Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Ernie Banks, James "Cool Papa" Bell and Hilton Smith.
Author Joe Posnanski penned this gem in 2007...bravo. He spent over 2 years traipsing around the country following Buck (who was in his 90s at the time) on his various adventures, promoting the Negro Leagues and it's history, but most of all advocating for the players. Buck reflected on life without any bitterness. He was eternally optimistic even in the face of cynics and pessimists. This is definitely a 'feel good' baseball book...
Some favorites:
"Cool Papa Bell was so fast, he once scored from first base on a bunt"..."Cool Papa Bell was so fast, he once hit a line drive over a pitcher's head and got hit with the ball as he slid into second base"
"You know what they used to say about Buck Leonard?"..."Sneaking a fastball by him was like sneaking sunrise past a rooster"
"Son, in this life, you don’t ever walk by a red dress."
"In our beautiful memory we were all handsome. We all could sing. We all had the heart of the prettiest girl in town. And we all hit .300"
"Why are all these skinny people running?"
"Baseball is for the Pastor and Baseball is for the Pimp"
"Baseball in the Negro Leagues was a little bit rougher, a little bit sweeter, a little bit faster, a little bit cooler, and a little bit more fun than anything... in Major League Baseball"
In a few weeks I will have the honor of visiting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City that Buck was instrumental in founding.
Author Joe Posnanski penned this gem in 2007...bravo. He spent over 2 years traipsing around the country following Buck (who was in his 90s at the time) on his various adventures, promoting the Negro Leagues and it's history, but most of all advocating for the players. Buck reflected on life without any bitterness. He was eternally optimistic even in the face of cynics and pessimists. This is definitely a 'feel good' baseball book...
Some favorites:
"Cool Papa Bell was so fast, he once scored from first base on a bunt"..."Cool Papa Bell was so fast, he once hit a line drive over a pitcher's head and got hit with the ball as he slid into second base"
"You know what they used to say about Buck Leonard?"..."Sneaking a fastball by him was like sneaking sunrise past a rooster"
"Son, in this life, you don’t ever walk by a red dress."
"In our beautiful memory we were all handsome. We all could sing. We all had the heart of the prettiest girl in town. And we all hit .300"
"Why are all these skinny people running?"
"Baseball is for the Pastor and Baseball is for the Pimp"
"Baseball in the Negro Leagues was a little bit rougher, a little bit sweeter, a little bit faster, a little bit cooler, and a little bit more fun than anything... in Major League Baseball"
In a few weeks I will have the honor of visiting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City that Buck was instrumental in founding.
One of my favorite books ever. This wasn’t really about the Negro Leagues, and it was barely about baseball. This was about a man who dedicated his life to spreading joy. I almost cried.