Lead Story - 4/2/2025

Swamp Turkeys Using Torpedo Bats

3/11/2025

March Madness

Madness is unlikely to end in 20 days, and no doubt many of us know former colleagues and friends who are losing jobs that were considered secure means of supporting their families several months ago. But the Buck O'Neil League is settling into a stable pattern. The Sea Serpents have feasted as others faltered and they have a two game lead over the Steam Train and Black Panthers. Trouble ahead, trouble behind, the Swamp Poodles just crossed my mind. Their recent progress, and statistical analysis such as having the largest run differential, suggests they are coming for those at the top. League Leaders at this juncture are Artie Williams of the Saltine Warriors who leads in Batting Average and On-Base Percentage. He also leads the league with seven stolen bases. On the pitching side, Joe Black of the Turkeys is tied for the lead in wins and third in ERA.

The big surprise has been the Steam Train. The totally automated team that was drafted by the CPU and has been on auto pilot since the draft, has been competitive throughout the early going, and are tied for second place. Russ Meyer on the pitching side and Lary Doby on offense, are among the league leaders. We are not ever at the quarter pole, so there is much madness left to endure. Buckle up your straight jacket and keep the paddles at the ready. We are in for a long ride.

2/19/2025

Buck O'Neil and the Negro Leagues

Buck O'Neil played for the Kansas City Monarchs from 1937 to 1950 and managed the Monarchs from 1948 to 1955. He was born in Carrabelle, Florida in 1911, during the heart of the Jim Crow era. O'Neil attended Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida for two years, during which time he made up for his lack of any formal education. There were only four Negro Black High Schools in the state of Florida before WWII.

O'Neil began barnstorming in 1934 and signed with the Memphis Red Sox before joining the Monarchs in '37. He played first base and compiled a .280 batting average over 13 seasons, played in two Negro League World Series, and three East-West All Star Games. His greatest fame may have come as an advocate for recognition of Negro League players by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and for the Negro League Hall of Fame that he helped establish in Kansas City in 1990. He was interviewed at length for Ken Burns film on baseball in 1990, which gave greater visibility to his quest for recognition of Negro League players who had never gotten a chance in the Majors.

Those efforts continued into his 90's when he and baseball writer Joe Posnanski toured Florida and old Negro League sites around the country while O'Neil recounted the stories of growing up in segregated Florida and finding escape in baseball. The book, The Soul of Baseball, is one of the most moving accounts by a baseball player that I have read. The charm and charisma of O'Neil come through on every page, and when O'Neil dies at age 94, just before the end of the book, it is one of the saddest moments I can remember reading. It is like Field of Dreams meets The Natural in the World Series of Baseball lore and legend.

Despite O'Neil's contributions, the Baseball Hall of Fame denied him formal recognition by a single vote in 2006, shortly before he died. He was subsequently awarded a Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush and an annual award was created by the Baseball Hall of Fame that bears Buck O'Neil's name. In 2021 O'Neil was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Early Times Committee. Any trip to Kansas City should include the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame Museum--the Jazz Museum is next door, and the Satchel Paige House some distance from the museums.

Harvey sparks 11-8 win for Nuckfutz

Bob Harvey's hot bat helped the Nuckfutz to a 11-8 win over the Swamp Turkeys. Harvey collected 4 hits in the game. | Box

Kimbro delivers in clutch, Nuckfutz win

Henry Kimbro drove in 5 runs, carrying North Laurel to a 9-6 victory over the Swamp Turkeys. Jerry Coleman had a big game as well, knocking in 3 runs for Glass City while recording 3 hits. | Box

2/28/2025

Schedule Issues

We had some. They have been fixed.