KANSAS CITY -- On Saturday night, the Royals celebrated the 1,000th time they have honored someone in the community by allowing them to sit in the famous Buck O’Neil seat.

The legendary O’Neil, a former Negro Leagues player and manager, sat in the same seat behind home plate as a Royals scout. He died in 2006 at age 94.

The Royals have honored individuals who have shone through with kindness and charity in that seat since Opening Day of 2007.

Saturday’s recipient was 12-year-old Manny Dunn, who plays baseball with the Kansas RBI Program. He also volunteers and participates at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy.

Negro Leagues president Bob Kendrick presented Dunn with a plaque to honor the occasion.