Buck O'Neil Autographed Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary Baseball Inscribed 1st Black Big League Coach

Buck O’Neil was a true pioneer for the integration of the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball. He spent his entire playing career in the Negro Leagues and spent the majority of his time with the Kansas City Monarchs. In 1942, he helped lead his team to a Negro World Series and continued his streak of five .300 plus seasons at the plate. After coaching the Monarchs for many years, he worked as a scout for the Chicago Cubs and became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball with the Cubs in 1962. In his later years, O'Neil became a popular and renowned speaker and interview subject, helping to renew widespread interest in the Negro leagues. He played a major role in establishing the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. O'Neil passed away at the age of 94 in 2006. This Rawlings National League commemorative Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary baseball was hand signed and inscribed "Mgr. K.C. Monarchs, 1st Black Big League Coach, Chicago Cubs 1962" by John "Buck" O'Neil. The autograph includes authentication from PSA/DNA.