Donald was born on February 2, 1937, in Linden, Texas, and grew up in Los Angeles where he attended Dorsey High School. He went on to play at the University of Southern California where he was a member of USC’s first of ten national championships and became a member of the USC Hall of Fame and earn a 2015 Baseball Life Time Achievement Winner.

Don played with 2 MLB teams the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles where they won the 1969 World Series. Don is also a member of the Orioles Hall of Fame.

Mr. Buford worked as the first-base coach for four years and later served under Robinson with the Orioles and Washington Nationals. He also served as a minor-league manager several times and worked with the Orioles in player development for a few years in the 1990s. Don also was the director of MLB Urban Youth Academy for 4 years.