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Letters from the Road |
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"I support & envy you terrific young guys. Way to go for Buck - lets get him in the MLB Hof F. I have dreamed of getting to KC myself, seeing the Negro League Museum, meeting Mr Buck O'Neil and seeing two wonderful veteran KC Musical Greats: Jay McShann & Myra Taylor again. ' Wish I was there now to shake hands with each of you. Congratulations from Atlanta." - Jim Frost |
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"I think that you are doing a great job. As a kid I went to many a Cubs game and saw Buck O'Neil up close. I remember reading Satchel Paige's "Maybe I Pitch Forever" and being carried away to another place and time. I support your effort and hope Mr. Buck is included in the Hall of Fame as he definitely deserves this honor. Phillip Kimmel (U of W MA 1975) - now living in China I just read your story on yahoo sports & dropped you guys $50.... Keep pushing on." -Tim |
I just read your story on Yahoo Sports and wanted to let you know I will be praying for your safe arrival in Kansas City. Unfortunately, I have lost my job and cannot support you financially. I live in Kansas City(all my life) and therefore know the story of Buck O'Neil. We know he should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame and are terribly disappointed that he was not selected. Tell your "Gang of Seven" hello and I hope Buck is here to greet you when you arrive in K.C. Maybe he will take you on a personal tour of the Negro Leagues Museum. Once again, thanks for your efforts on behalf of Mr. O'Neil.
Sincerely,
Dave Dowell |
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"I want to send along our best regards to you and your students on this absolutely wonderful project you have put together. As a high school teacher myself, I can only marvel at what you've been able to put together and execute with this group of kids. We can all take inspiration out of what you are doing and wish you and your students only the best." -David |
I recently read the story on Yahoo! news about your trip and wish that I was on the route you and your kids were taking so I could add my name to the list. I was wondering if there was any way that could be done, like an e-signature or something. I hope so; if not, good luck, God speed.
Daniel Aalderks
Sioux Falls, SD |
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"Thank you for appearing on air. We had listeners call in from Philly, Minnesota Arkansas, New York and Ohio. From abroad we had emails from 11 different countries. Your project is great, keep up the good work and thanks again for letting us be a part." -Trevor Lennon |
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"Congrats to you and your students on your efforts so far. Riding in the summer heat on the route you have chosen through So.California, Arizona, and New Mexico is pretty incredible, especially with students who, presumably, have had little touring experience. As someone who has ridden across the US, I realize how challenging your feat is. Phoenix in July...wow! I hope my small donation will come to help you make it to Kansas City. Best of luck the rest of the way!" -Jeff Blitstein |
Thank you for pushing young people in the "right direction" as it is easier to not pursue a difficult goal than to actually attempt one! You're teaching them, and probably yourself, things that will be lifelong lessons. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you all run into any financial troubles.
Best regards,
Terry Cole |
I heard your story on the radion on Friday here in Omaha. I used to live in Kansas City and he is the most beautiful person baseball has ever seen. MLB needs to open its eyes and embrace Buck as the most beloved ambasssador baseball has. He is truly a piece of living history and belongs in the Hall of Fame. My 5 year old boy knows that "Cool Papa Bell could turn of f the lights in his room and get into bed before it got dark" because of Buck. We love you Buck!!
Sincerely,
John Legel
Omaha, NE
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"I wanted to e-mail everyone, but I figured this would be the easiest way to get in touch with all of you. What you are doing is amazing. If you were coming to North Carolina, I would meet up with you guys and do some cycling. Keep pedaling and you guys will have a donation from me tonight. I admire what y'all are doing. Stay safe and keep the saddle sores away." -Kara P |
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"I heard your interview on Big Sports 590 in Omaha. I appreciate what you are doing for Buck. I would like to see him in the Hall of Fame. Keep up the good work." -David |
"I have been following you guys and I was worried there for a while. I thought the whole trip was going to collapse. I am so proud of you guys that you are almost done. The reason I write this email is because I have read that you have been sleeping in the back of the truck some night. I was wondering how much it costs for 1 night to sleep in a motel for you guys. I am just a teacher but I would like to see if I can donate that much. Thanks" -jeff
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"Are you guys assholes? Why would anyone go THROUGH Death Valley? In July? There are plenty of ways around it.
Unless, of course, it's to garner more sympathy points......which, by the way, you certainly don't need.......riding cross country is a daunting task unto itself. No need to featherbed it." -Jim DeBeau |
"I met Buck O'Neil in April 1962 at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
He was a Coach of the Cubs. That year I was a season-ticket holder and sat six rows from third base, in the Box seats. I saw all eighty-two home games." -Allan Wilson |
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I read the story on Mr. O'Neil in my L.A.Times newspaper and I smiled the rest
of the day. now as I was clickin around online I came across your story and I
felt so proud I had to say thank you.
I co founded a community center in my old neighborhood after watching a 15 year old kid by killed by a drive bye as he was heading home for his baseball gear. As a proud black American I often wondered why we were held back from basic rights. what could we have done to make people hate us so much?
well I grew up in a different time but I will always honor men like Mr. O'Neil
because he's still smiling in spite of that hate. I hope you get the support in
time for Mr. O'Neil to enjoy it in person. I wish to offer my park as a future
location where we can honor Mr. O Neil by starting an award that kids can win by doing good works in the ways of Mr. O Neil.
This season baseball wasn't played in the inner city due to lack of support but
we at helen keller park pledge to go back to history and teach the kids about
Mr. O Neil, Josh Gibson and so many others who never got the chance but still
made history in spite of the road blocks.
It feels good to see your team suppporting this great man. if you ever come to
los angeles ca, please stop by helen keller park.we started a program called "books before balls" and we hope to keep his works alive by posting his image as well as his history in and around our park. I even hope to have a team or 2 named after the old negro leagues.
here's our webpage: www.cureworkz.com/
bless you all for making my day a little bit brighter.
Cameron Bonner
proud volunteer at
helen keller park. |
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"How do I sign the petition to get Buck O'Neil into the hall? Can it be done online? If it's not available online, you guys should figure out a way to make it available. I just now read about your efforts, and I applaud you. I was stunned when I heard there were going to be several Negro League inductees this year and Buck O'Neil wasn't one of them. If not for Buck O'Neil, I would not even know that the Negro Leagues existed." -John Rocco |
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"Thanks for working with your students to make such an emphatic statement in support of Buck O'Neil's candidacy for the Hall of Fame. I'm writing to ask if you have made a petition available online for people to sign so that we too can express our support. If so, how do I access it? If not, please consider it! "
Thanks,
Don Ericson
Ogden, Utah |
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"I just wanted to say thank you. What you guys are doing is truly inspirational. You are raising even more awareness about baseball’s storied past and the great players of the Negro Leagues. Hopefully with your help Mr. O’Neil will be in the Hall of Fame. He has done so much for the game over the years and the game hasn’t given back as much as it should have. Thank you for the great story and good luck on your journey." -Sean Baldino |
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“Like my mom said, don't spend it all in one place. And if you do, please promise it won't be on microwaveable dinners.” – Jeffery Passan |
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“Refreshing Story! Wish you lots of energy and a safe journey!” – Jeff |
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“Buck O'neil is an American Treasure. Good job guys! I hope you make it. I met buck a few years ago during hall of fame weekend. His boundless energy and spirit are truly amazing. He is an inspiration and so are you guys.” -- Jeremy Cooke, Grossmont High School Math Teacher |
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“Go Bikers Go! Thank Jeff Passan for his story which lets the whole country in on what you're doing! Thanks so much to all of you; Buck belongs in the Hall!!!” – Diana |
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“I read about your effort in the Jeff Passan column on Yahoo Sports. As a teacher, bicyclist, and baseball fan, I just had to help you out a little bit.” – Dave Adams in Medford MA |
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“Good luck on your trip. Just so you know, and you probably already do, the people that vote for induction to the baseball HOF are complete morons. Obviously, because they took three years to put Ryne Sandberg in. I'm all for Buck going in; you can't have too many Cubs in the HOF.” – Robert |
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“I heard about this, but after reading Jeff Passan's column, here's a little bit to feed some of you guys some real Asian food. A bunch of us here in KC are pulling for you 100%. I'll be watching!!” – Josh in KC |
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Letters from the Road 
