Mural of Buck O’Neil displayed ahead of Hall of Fame induction

SARASOTA (SNN TV) – The pride of Newtown, Buck O’Neil will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this coming Sunday, but he will be honored in downtown Sarasota before the big day.

This Thursday, July 21, a new mural will be unveiled in the Rosemary District. A larger-than-life mural of John “Buck” O’Neil, the iconic, historic figure and baseball legend from Newtown now becomes a permanent fixture in the Rosemary District, signifying his powerful legacy.

O’Neil’s legacy will be lauded by the Mayor of Sarasota, Marlon Brown, Brian Roberts, the Orioles’ Hall of Famer and Ambassador, Walter Gilbert of the Gilbert Mural Initiative, and Roxie Jerde, CEO of The Community Foundation of Sarasota County

The ceremony begins at  9:00 AM, at 1468 Boulevard of the Arts. It is all part of the Gilbert Mural Initiative, which celebrates and preserves the people and history of the Rosemary Art & Design District.

He grew up in Sarasota in the Newtown community. O’Neil worked the celery fields in Sarasota while his father ran a pool hall in Newtown. He then later moved to Jacksonville with relatives and attended Edward Waters College, where he completed high school and two years of college courses.

O’Neil was a first baseman and manager in the Negro American League, mostly with the Kansas City Monarchs. After his playing days, he worked as a scout and became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball. 

O’Neil was nominated to a special Hall ballot for Negro league players, managers, and executives in 2006, but received fewer than the necessary nine votes (out of twelve) to gain admission; however, 17 other Negro league figures were selected. 

The legendary figure did not let it get him down. O’Neil said afterward, “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.”

Then, to prove that he had accepted his omission with grace and dignity, on July 29, 2006, O’Neil spoke at the induction ceremony for the Negro league players at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now, at long last, he will join them.

The 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame nominees will be inducted this Sunday, July 24th, in Cooperstown, NY.