Legendary broadcaster Bob Costas on the Negro Leagues Baseball museum: ‘It’s a must-see’

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s “Thanks A Million, Buck” campaign reached a key milestone recently.

The museum announced it has raised $100,000, which will be used for the creation of the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center. That’s named after the Hall of Fame player and coach, Buck O’Neil.

Legendary broadcaster Bob Costas, who has called MLB and NFL games, as well as worked as a host of multiple Olympic Games, congratulated the museum for hitting the fundraising goal in a video.

Costas also talked about O’Neil and NLBM president Bob Kendrick, while also offering high praise for the museum. Costas highly recommended visiting the museum, especially people in Kansas City.

Here is a bit of what he said in the video.

“Buck, of course, is Buck O’Neil, a national treasure and a significant figure in the history of baseball,” Costas said. “The Negro Leagues Museum, a smashing success, aesthetically, historically and in every other way you want to measure it. If you haven’t been there, especially if you live in Kansas City, it’s around the corner. Go visit. But if you’re anywhere near Kansas City, it’s a destination for sure. If you’re a fan of baseball history, or really American history, it’s a must-see, because the Negro Leagues are not only a very important part of the history of baseball, they’re a significant part of the story of the fight for racial justice in this country. For civil rights.

“It’s a story of perseverance and excellence in the face of obstacles and injustice. Some of the greatest players who ever donned the uniform or ever put on a glove or swung a bat played in the Negro Leagues. Some of them went on to play in the Major Leagues and become Hall of Famers: Willie Mays and Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks and so many others. The history of all that is beautifully appreciated and documented in the Negro Leagues museum. I’m proud that I was there when it opened. I’m happy that I’ve been able to visit since and keep track of all they do and stay in touch with Bob Kendrick and everybody at the Negro Leagues museum. Congratulations on the latest bit of success.”

Here is the video.