First black MLB coach Buck O'Neil now in Pensacola

Published on June 17, 2005 under Central Baseball League (Central League)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


The Pelicans announced that Buck O'Neil is now in Pensacola for the weekend and can be seen and heard in several places throughout the city before appearing at Pelican Park at 6:05 on Sunday, June 19 for the much awaited Tribute to Negro League Baseball.

On Saturday, June 18, O'Neil will be visiting the historic Mt. Zion Baptist Church located at 528 W. Jackson St. in downtown Pensacola. Mt. Zion Church is one of the oldest Black Churches in Florida, dating back to the 1870's. Former Pensacola Seagulls team members and other area Negro League players will be meeting with O'Neil for an early dinner starting at 3:45 p.m.

On Sunday, June 19, O'Neil will be attending the 8 a.m. church service at Bethel AME Zion Church at 511 Woodland Dr. At 2:15 p.m. O'Neil will visit the site of the old Legion Field and memorial site dedicated to Charles "Hawk" Marvey who once played at Legion Field and then for the Pittsburgh Crawfords in the Negro Leagues. From there O'Neil will attend the Pensacola Pelicans game for the Tribute to Negro League Baseball at 6:05 p.m.

O'Neil will speak to the fans prior to the game and be available to answer questions and sign autographs throughout the game.

The Buck O'Neil traveling exhibit, on loan from the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, will be on hand for fans to view and read. It is a seven-panel display with more than 100 pictures and clippings about O'Neil's life and career in the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball. O'Neil's book "Right on Time", Kansas City Monarch replica hats and baseballs with O'Neil's picture on them are all available for sale and autographs.

Sunday is also Kids Day where every Pelicans Kids Club member wearing the kids club t-shirt will receive free admission into the game. Prior to the game at 4 p.m., there will be activities for the Kids Club members highlighting the cultural backgrounds of the Pelicans' players.

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Central Baseball League Stories from June 17, 2005


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