Buckenberger began his managerial career with the Columbus Solons of the American Association in 1889. He led the team for three seasons, achieving a winning record in two of them. His tenure with the Solons was marked by his ability to develop young talent, a skill that would serve him well throughout his career.
In 1892, Buckenberger moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he managed for four seasons. During his time with the Pirates, he helped to build a strong team that included future Hall of Famers Jake Beckley and Connie Mack. Despite this, the Pirates struggled to achieve consistent success under his leadership, and he was let go after the 1894 season.
Buckenberger then took over as manager of the St. Louis Browns in 1895. His time with the Browns was marked by a series of ups and downs, with the team finishing as high as second place in the National League in 1896, but also finishing in the bottom half of the league in his other two seasons.
In 1902, Buckenberger was hired as the manager of the Boston Beaneaters. He led the team for three seasons, but was unable to replicate the success he had had earlier in his career. The Beaneaters finished in the bottom half of the National League in each of his three seasons at the helm.
Despite his lack of consistent success as a manager, Buckenberger was well-respected in the baseball community. He was known for his ability to develop young players and for his innovative strategies. He was one of the first managers to regularly use the hit-and-run play, a strategy that is still widely used in baseball today.
Buckenberger's career in baseball extended beyond his managerial roles. He also served as a team executive for several teams, including the Boston Beaneaters and the St. Louis Browns. In these roles, he was responsible for player personnel decisions and was instrumental in building the rosters of these teams.
Buckenberger's impact on the game of baseball was significant. Despite his teams' inconsistent performance, his innovative strategies and ability to develop young talent left a lasting legacy. His career in baseball spanned over 15 years, and his influence can still be seen in the game today.
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