Oldest batter in town

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- It's going to be very hard to pass the Buck in baseball.

Most of the pitches weren't even close to the plate. But fans of former Negro Leagues star "Buck" O'Neil are hoping they will help make a pitch to get him into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

O'Neil stepped into the batter's box during a minor league all-star game Tuesday night. The 94-year-old O'Neil thus became the oldest person to play in a professional baseball game.

O’Neil was walked while leading off in the top of the first. O'Neil ambled to first base, then took a lead off the bag as if he were going to stay in the game before being pulled for a pinch runner.

He was then "traded" at the end of the half inning. The trade allowed him to lead off the bottom of the first, when he walked again.

After the pair of at-bats, O'Neil said the night was "special, very special."

"I've been in baseball 70 years. This is how I made my living. And here I am at 94 with a bat in my hand," O'Neil said.

Clad in a red-and-white Kansas City Monarchs jersey, O'Neil said he thought the last time he had swung a bat in a game was in 1955.

Asked if he remembered who he was facing in that contest, O'Neil replied: "I don't remember yesterday and you ask me who the pitcher was in 1955?"