Larry Doby

Center Fielder

Class of 1998

Larry Doby

Center Fielder

Class of 1998
Larry Doby was the first African-American to play in the American League.

Games

Birth year

About Larry Doby

Perhaps no one is more remembered for being second than Larry Doby.

He was the second African-American to play in the National League or American League – but the first in the AL – in the modern era after Jackie Robinson. He was the second Black manager of an AL or NL club after Frank Robinson.

He may have been second in those two regards, but Larry Doby was so much more.

Doby began his baseball career as a star infielder for the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League and was also the first African-American player to play professional basketball in the ABL, a precursor to the NBA. After taking time out from professional sports to serve in the United States Navy during WWII, Doby returned to the NNL and led the Eagles to the Negro Leagues championship in 1946.

In 1947, only a few months after Jackie Robinson’s major league debut, Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck signed Doby, who became the first Black player in the American League. Doby suffered the same indignities as Jackie Robinson, but his struggles did not get the media attention Robinson’s received. Whether it was being forced to stay in separate hotels or eat in separate restaurants on the road, or not being accepted by some of his teammates, Doby persevered.

Teammate Mel Harder recalled: “It may have (bothered Doby), but he never complained to the players; when he joined, naturally it was a tough time. But after he was with us a while, he got along pretty good.”

His first major league manager Lou Boudreau said: “Larry proved to them (the other players) that he was a major leaguer in handling himself in more ways than one – on the field and off the field.”

In 1948, his first full campaign in the AL, Doby became the first African-American to hit a home run in World Series play. In 1952, the slugging center fielder became the first African-American to lead either league in home runs.

During his time in the big leagues, Doby was a seven time All-Star and put together five-100 RBI and eight-20 home run seasons. In 1978, the same man who gave him his shot as a player in the major leagues in 1947, Bill Veeck, hired him to manage his Chicago White Sox.

Upon his passing on June 18, 2003, President George W. Bush said: “Larry Doby was a good and honorable man, and a tremendous athlete and manager. He had a profound influence on the game of baseball.”

Doby was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998.

The Basics

Year inducted
1998
Birth Place
Camden, South Carolina
Birth Year
1923
Died
2003, Montclair New Jersey

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
Cleveland Indians
Primary Position
Center Fielder
Played For
Newark Eagles, 1942-1944
Newark Eagles, 1946-1947
Cleveland Indians, 1947-1955
Chicago White Sox, 1956-1957
Cleveland Indians, 1958
Detroit Tigers, 1959
Chicago White Sox, 1959

Career MLB Stats

Games
1,670
At bats
5,871
Hits
1,687
Walks
944
Runs
1,076
Doubles
277
Triples
69
Home Runs
273
RBI
1,094
Stolen Bases
63
Batting Average
.287
Ops
.886
On Base %
.388
Slugging %
.498

Larry Doby Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.

Twenty-five years ago, big league pioneer Larry Doby received his Hall of Fame plaque

Doby's pioneering path earned Hall of Fame plaque

Doby blazed trails on, off field

Doby made history with Indians

Doby deal ends short Orioles career for future Hall of Famer