By edited by Laura Spencer
Kansas City, Missouri – Buck O'Neil was the first African-American coach hired by the major leagues when he was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1962. Earlier in his career, he played first base for the Kansas City Monarchs, and from 1948 to 1955 managed the team, leading them to five pennants and two Black World Series.
In 2000, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum celebrated the 80th anniversary of the League with a reunion and banquet in downtown Kansas City. 150 Negro Leagues baseball players attended. Here, Buck O'Neil talked about his experience in the Negro Leagues.