Orioles to honor Buck O'Neil on Sunday
The Orioles will hold a ceremony Sunday to honor Negro leagues pioneer Buck O’Neil at their minor league facility in Sarasota, Fla.
O’Neil, who died in 2006, would have been 100 years old Sunday. The star first baseman and manager spent part of his childhood in Sarasota, home to the Orioles’ Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park. O’Neil, who went on to scout and coach in the major leagues, worked to preserve the history and promote awareness of the Negro leagues.
The Orioles will unveil three illustrated baseball cards of O’Neil created by artist Gary Cieradkowski, whose works honor Negro leagues players who never had cards of their own. The O’Neil cards have been displayed at the minor league complex. An honorary plaque will also be hung at the main entrance to the complex’s administrative building.
Sarasota County commissioners Carolyn Mason and Joe Barbetta will also proclaim Sunday Buck O’Neil Day in Sarasota.
Here are the three O'Neil cards, courtesy of the Orioles.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Nothing says honoring a great baseball player like a ceremony in mid-November! I get that it's his birthday, but wouldn't it have been better served to wait until Spring when the Orioles are in town and this might get more attention? But then knowing how to properly manage public relations has not been the Orioles or Greg Bader's strength anyway.
Posted by: Jeff | November 11, 2011 8:36 AM
What time is the ceremony?
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1 p.m. on Sunday
Posted by: Rich | November 11, 2011 9:22 AM
Hope this improves the O's image in Sarasota after all the bad press about taking the kids fields, no Ripken academy, wanting more money again and no minor league team. Being here for one month and Ed Smith being empty for 11 does not help. The O's presence is not positive right now, they need to turn it around. It is embarrasing.
Posted by: Steve H | November 12, 2011 10:10 AM