The Soul of Baseball

Buck O'Neil loved talking about baseball. He did not just love talking about the old Negro Leagues or about players long gone. He wanted to talk about the game today, the skills of today's players, the shrinking strike zone, the vagaries of scouting, the use of statistics, the effect of money on the game, the Baseball Hall of Fame on and on.

This is a blog in his memory. Buck O'Neil - player, manager, scout, coach and spokesman for the game of baseball - died on Oct. 6, barely a month before his 95th birthday. This blog will include thoughts from several writers about baseball, with perhaps a special leaning to Buck's beloved Kansas City Royals. In addition, we will also try to give updates about Buck's own chances to make the Baseball Hall of Fame and also keep people informed about what's going on at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. The museum was Buck's heart.

And while we're at it, we'll throw in a few words about Joe's upcoming book: "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America." It will be published by William Morrow and will be in bookstores on Feb. 27. You can get more information at www.soulofbaseball.com.