"Posnanski masterfully conveys O'Neil's charisma and the rhythm of his words, which often read like free verse. The author trailed his subject as he traversed the country to rekindle interest in the talented players who pushed their way from state to state on rickety buses in an era when Major League Baseball excluded black players. O'Neil's unceasing efforts helped several Negro League stars get inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Despite being a good player, manager and scout in his own right—not to mention a tireless ambassador for the game—he fell one vote shy of election, an injustice decried by his admirers. But O'Neil was not bitter () saw goodness in the world despite having been deprived of numerous opportunities because of the color of his skin."〔

"A moving elegy for both the Negro Leagues and one of the game's biggest personalities."〔Cannon, Bob (March 16, 2007) "The Soul of Baseball" ''Entertainment Weekly''. Retrieved May 22, 2013()〕

"O'Neil was nearly one of the guys who died unknown. But in his final years, he became something of a celebrity after appearing prominently in Ken Burns' baseball series. He died as Posnanski was finishing the book, and it's one of the sadder deaths in all of print. But "The Soul of Baseball" is so warmly told, its stories alternately regretful and hysterical, its lessons too pure and uncynical, that the reader is left not broken, but joyful. After I turned the final page, I simply returned to Page 1 and began all over again."〔Miller, Sam (July 27, 2007) "A soulful read about baseball's heartless side" ''Orange County Register''. Retrieved May 30, 2013.()〕