File #: Res 0624-2006    Version: * Name: Commemorating the life and mourning the death of baseball legend John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 11/29/2006
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution commemorating the life and mourning the death of baseball legend John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil.
Sponsors: Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Gale A. Brewer, Inez E. Dickens, Lewis A. Fidler, Helen D. Foster, Vincent J. Gentile, Alan J. Gerson, Sara M. Gonzalez, Letitia James, Michael C. Nelson, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., James Sanders, Jr., Kendall Stewart, Albert Vann, David I. Weprin, Melissa Mark-Viverito
Council Member Sponsors: 16
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2009*Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
11/29/2006*Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
11/29/2006*Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 624

 

Resolution commemorating the life and mourning the death of baseball legend John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil.

 

By Council Members Comrie, Brewer, Dickens, Fidler, Foster, Gentile, Gerson, Gonzalez, James, Nelson, Recchia Jr., Sanders Jr., Stewart, Vann, Weprin, White Jr., Mark-Viverito and Oddo

 

Whereas, John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil, the legendary Negro League baseball player, manager and scout, died on October 6, 2006, at the age of 94; and

                     Whereas, This incredible sports figure helped promote the game of baseball, while preserving and renewing widespread interest in the Negro Leagues; and

                     Whereas, Mr. O’Neil, born John Jordan O’Neil in Carrabelle, Florida on November 13, 1911, was 23 years old when he left Florida after two years of college to play semi-professional baseball for barnstorming teams; and

                     Whereas, Mr. O’Neil played first base and joined the Memphis Red Sox of the newly-formed Negro American League in 1937, and joined the Kansas City Monarchs later that year where he finished his career in 1955 as a manager; and

                     Whereas, Mr. O’Neil maintained a career hitting average of .288 including four .300-plus seasons, led the league in hitting with a .353 average in 1946, appeared in four East-West All Star games and two Negro League World games, and led the Kansas City Monarchs to the Negro League World Championship title in 1942; and

                     Whereas, After his playing career, Mr. O’Neil illustrated continued leadership skills as a manager of the Monarchs, guiding his team to four league titles and helping to send more Negro League players to Major League Baseball than any other manager in the history of the Negro League; and

                     Whereas, Mr. O’Neil became a scout in 1956 and the first African American coach in the Major Leagues for the Chicago Cubs in 1962; and

Whereas, After 33 years with the Cubs organization, he returned to Kansas City to become a scout for the Kansas City Royals in 1988; and

                     Whereas, Mr. O’Neil led the effort to establish the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City and served as its honorary board chairman until his death; and

Whereas, Mr. O’Neil was also a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans Committee from 1981 to 2000, where he played a vital role in the induction of numerous Negro League players; and

                     Whereas, Mr. O’Neil will be remembered for his passion for baseball, sportsmanship and vision for an integrated sports culture through his efforts to bridge the gap between Negro League Baseball and Major League Baseball; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York commemorates the life and mourns the death of John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil.

 

RK LS# 2080

11/21/06