Saturday Spotlight: Larry Doby

Larry Doby played centerfield for the Cleveland Indians from 1947-1955 and 1958. He was the first African American to play in the American League and the second to play in the MLB behind Jackie Robinson. He was from a little town in South Carolina called Camden. He was signed as a free agent in 1947 and played for a combined 10 years with the Indians. He had two stints with the Indians. In 1955 Doby was traded to the Chicago White Sox. Then in 1958 he was traded back to Cleveland form the Baltimore Orioles. In 1959 Doby was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Tito Francona, the father of current Indians manager Terry Francona. Between all trading he did play for the indians for 10 years. In those ten years he had 808 runs, 1234 hits, 190 doubles, 45 triples, 215 home runs, 776 RBIs, 44 stolen bases, 703 walks, 805 walks, and a batting average of .286. While his numbers don't seem to be that big he made 7 All-Star teams and made it to the World Series twice, 1948 and 1954. Because Jackie Robinson was the first black to play in the majors Doby goes unrecognized in his accomplishments and firsts as an African American. He was the first black in the American League, first black to hit a home run in the World Series, first player to go from the Negro Leagues to the majors, first player to win a championship in the Negro League and the Major League, first black player to win the home run title in the majors, and first black player to win the RBI title in the American League. All of these amazing firsts have left him a legend in Cleveland. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, and as of 2015 has a statue on the plaza outside the gates in Cleveland. Larry Doby might go under the radar in most places but he will always be a part of Cleveland history.