Buck O'Neil Biography

John Jordan O'Neil Jr. played as a first baseman and later served as a manager in the Negro American League, primarily with the Kansas City Monarchs. After retiring as a player, he worked in a scouting role and became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball. He joined the Memphis Red Sox in 1937, the year the team began competing in the Negro American League. His career batting average was .288 across seasons from 1937 to 1950, with four seasons where he hit above .300 and five where he remained below .260. His playing career paused for two seasons during World War II, following his enlistment in the U.S. Navy after the 1943 season. He became manager of the Monarchs in 1948, succeeding Frank Duncan, and continued playing first base until 1951, later transitioning to part-time play. After the Monarchs were sold at the end of the 1955 season, he stepped down as manager and joined the Chicago Cubs as a scout, where he was responsible for signing Lou Brock to his first professional baseball contract.