Officials at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum have undone what they've come to see was a mistake. Bob Kendrick was introduced as the museum's next president on Thursday, after being passed over for the job in 2008.
Kendrick, the museum's former marketing director, said he was thrilled to return to the "house that Buck built." Kendrick was close to Buck O'Neil, the museum's spiritual founder. O'Neil died in 2006, and some members of the museum board quit two years later, when the top job went to Greg Baker, a former assistant city manager. Baker resigned last fall.
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver opened the press conference, saying it was "magnificent news" that Kendrick was back in an official capacity. Cleaver gave Betty Brown, the new chairwoman of the museum's board of directors, an extended ovation when she stepped to the podium to introduce Kendrick -- a gesture that seemed to express the congressman's gratitude for the board's decision.
Kendrick stayed on at the museum for more than a year after the 8-7 vote that put Baker in charge. Kendrick was working at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Kansas City when Brown called to explore his willingness to return.
Restoring the museum's financial position and reputation, which have deteriorated since O'Neil's death, is Kendrick's charge. Acknowledging the appreciation in the room, he asked his supporters to quantify their enthusiasm. "I don't want the clapping to stop when I start to ask you to write the check," he said.
Kendrick's hiring presumably will renew efforts to open the John "Buck" O'Neil Research and Education Center. Baker was seen as cool to the idea of transforming the old Paseo YMCA into an interactive monument to Buck. With barbecue man and developer Ollie Gates leading the initiative, the building has new windows and Alexander Austin murals on its south face.
Kendrick said he was proud to be standing "shoulder by shoulder" with Gates, who attended the press conference. Also on hand were former Negro Leagues umpire Bob Motley, former Royal Willie Wilson and former Chief Eddie Kennison.
Kendrick starts at the museum on April 11.
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