Posthumously, Buck O'Neil was inducted in the national baseball hall of fame this past summer. It was about 14 years+ overdue.

"I don't worry about the past. I was right on time."

Now, Buck was a simple, warm-spirited man who had an outrageous impact on the sport of baseball (he actually coached Jackie Robinson, who crossed the color barrier and changed pro sports forever, later himself, Buck would go on to scout/manage in the MLB and is widely considered one of the most amazing ambassadors of the game).

In the late 2000's, MLB recognized it had left out the Negro Leagues as part of America's baseball story and posthumously inducted over a half a dozen of its biggest stars.

Who gave that speech? None other than Buck O'Neil.

No book has led to more tears/appreciation upon recommendation, man/woman, baseball lover or baseball ignorant, than Joe Posnanski's wonderful "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neils America."

Reading it, you will laugh, you will cry, and at some point will make a point to try and be a better person. You don't need to know about/care about baseball whatsoever. This is real American oral history that will push you to be a better person.