• The Soul of Baseball

  • A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America
  • By: Joe Posnanski
  • Narrated by: David Sadzin
  • Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (146 ratings)

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The Soul of Baseball

By: Joe Posnanski
Narrated by: David Sadzin
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Publisher's summary

When legendary Negro League player Buck O'Neil asked Joe Posnanski how he fell in love with baseball, the renowned sports columnist was inspired by the question. He decided to spend the 2005 baseball season touring the country with the 94-year-old O'Neil in hopes of rediscovering the love that first drew them to the game.

The Soul of Baseball is as much the story of Buck O'Neil as it is the story of baseball. Driven by a relentless optimism and his two great passions - for America's pastime and for jazz, America's music - O'Neil played solely for love. In an era when greedy, steroid-enhanced athletes have come to characterize professional ball, Posnanski offers a salve for the damaged spirit: the uplifting life lessons of a truly extraordinary man who never missed an opportunity to enjoy and love life.

©2007 Joe Posnanski (P)2020 Tantor

What listeners say about The Soul of Baseball

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Just what I needed ...

... when what I needed were stories. Stories from a legend who helped me better understand a time I only heard of and know so little about. The narrator was perfect. The writing was lovely. The subject matter was as good as it gets.

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Great story

I only really knew of Buck through the Baseball - Ken Burns documentary. The book was a personal journey to get to see the world through his eyes and also to learn a lot of baseball history. The book moved quickly and the combination of time spent alone with Buck and seeing how he was an ambassador for baseball was riveting.

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best book on Audible

where do I start. Best book I've listened to on Audible. Buck O'Neil... eBay a man what a legacy. Great narration, great man, great story.

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A truly beautiful story !!

A powerful story that extends beyond baseball. It more about how to live a life, with passion, service and love.

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Awesome inspirational

It is a book describing the Negroleagues through the eyes of Buck O'neal. Good book

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A most pleasant listen

I very much enjoyed this look at the life of one of baseball’s greats. It was a great listen and it really touched my heart to hear his story and his attitude toward life.

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What a Man!

This book is based on a year the author spent with Buck O'Neil in his later years. Buck is a legend, having played in the Negro Leagues, coached in the major leagues, and having founded the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Buck was instrumental in getting many Negro Leagues players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He appeared on Ken Burns' documentaries and frequently on TV.

More importantly, Buck was just a great human being. His always positive and forgiving attitude will amaze you. Buck lived through a difficult era and experienced many things that would have made almost all of us bitter. He would not let that define him. He saw the best in everyone, and understood that people are not, generally speaking, all good or all bad, and that we all have bad days. Buck could bring out the good in people and turn a person's bad day into a good one.

In an age where people complain about everything and try to cancel others with a different viewpoint, we could sure use Buck O'Neil. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us, but his example shines on. It will be impossible for most of us to live up to it, but we can try.

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Amazing!

This is my first audio book and I listened to it while on my walks. I really enjoyed it. The narrator has such a calming and peaceful voice.

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A fascinating look at a true Hall of Famer.

I recently saw a presentation through the Baseball Hall of Fame with the author that spotlighted this book and his relationship with Buck O’Neil. Also have been following Bob Kendrick’s Black Diamond’s podcast. Bob is President of the Negro League Museum and a friend of Buck as well. These two gentlemen have peaked my interest in Buck and I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about this recently elected member to The Baseball Hall of Fame. Thought I knew about Buck before, learned so much more about him. He was an amazing advocate for the players of the Negro Leagues and a great human.

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Best baseball book ever....

A fantastic book on Buck O'Neil. If you love baseball you must read this book

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