So long for just a while, Mr. Buck

Dustin McKinnis, a 2002 graduate of Central High School, met Jack Buck in 1995 and occasionally shared the Cardinals broadcast booth with him. McKinnis has had more than 100 operations to repair problems related to his tracheal tube.

By Dustin McKinnis

That's a winner!

Those famous words describe Jack Buck in everything he did. Not only was he an outstanding and gifted announcer, but he was an even better person.

Jack Buck gave his all to his family, his friends, his broadcasts and the fans. No matter what team you were cheering for, one could equally cheer for Jack Buck as well. His incredible knowledge and love for the game were evident with every word he spoke.

I had the privilege to become a very close friend of Mr. Buck and his family. I met Mr. Buck in the summer of 1995 when a friend who works at Busch Stadium introduced us. Mr. Buck and I instantly began a lasting friendship. From the moment I met him I knew how spectacular a man he was. After talking for a while, he invited my family and I to the broadcast booth to watch the game between the Cardinals and Reds.

Mr. Buck soon took me under his wing. He invited me to the microphone to interview me on the air. He wanted to talk to me about the 89 operations I had up to that point. He told me I was a true fighter.

Before the interview was over, Mr. Buck said he wanted me to try play-by-play. I was honored to share the microphone with a man I respected and looked up to for so many years. I called the final out in the third inning. It was a great thrill. We kept in close contact following that season.

The following season, while I was visiting Mr. Buck in the booth, he said he wanted me to do some more play-by-play. This time he told me, "I want you to yell, 'that's a winner!'" When I heard him say that, my mouth dropped. I actually couldn't believe Mr. Buck wanted me to use his signature line.

There were two outs, and he turned the microphone over to me. Cincinnati ended up getting two hits. I vividly remember what Mr. Buck turned to me and said: "Kid, I'm going to blow you out of that chair if you don't get this next guy out." A ground ball was hit to second and thrown to first for the victory, and I yelled his famous line. I remember Mr. Buck having tears building in his eyes and a big smile on his face. It not only meant a lot to me, but to him as well.

Unforgettable moments

Those experiences are moments I will never forget and will always treasure. I witnessed the special side of Jack Buck, who showed me his tender heart. He was concerned and thought of others before himself.

I have been fortunate to have many great experiences and memories with Mr. Buck. A few that stand out most in my mind are being next to Mr. Buck when Mark McGwire hit his 62nd home run to break Roger Maris' record; being with the Buck family as they unveiled his bust outside Busch Stadium; when I discovered that Mr. Buck had written about our relationship in his autobiography; and the time Mr. Buck came to my house to visit me following one of my surgeries.

The greatest experience, though, is being able to call the Buck family my friends. No matter if it was phone calls or visits, Mr. Buck had a huge and indescribable impact on my life.

During the services Thursday, I was able to laugh and cry again with Mr. Buck. It was touching. Mr. Buck had endless great qualities, but the best was his generous heart. I hope some day I can be like Jack Buck, an honest, caring, generous, loving man who always put others before him. The gift of the friendship Mr. Buck gave me will be treasured forever and never forgotten. I will dearly miss him.

Mrs. Buck asked her husband a while back what he was going to ask the Lord when his time on earth was done. Mr. Buck replied in his humble way, "Why have you been so good to me?" I know without a doubt what the Lord's answer was at 11:08 p.m. Tuesday when Mr. Buck passed away. The Lord most likely responded, "Because you're a winner!"

As I close, I would like to steal a line from a precious friend.

So long for just a while.