Larry Doby
| Birthdate | 12/13/1924 |
| Death Date | 6/18/2003 |
| Debut Year | 1947 |
| Year of Induction | 1998 |
| Teams | Indians, Tigers, White Sox |
| Position | Center Field |
Seven-time All Star Larry Doby broke the American League’s color barrier when he debuted for the Cleveland Indians on June 5, 1947.
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Letter from Larry Doby to fellow HoFer Reggie Jackson
Letter from Larry Doby to fellow HoFer Reggie Jackson
An endorsement from Reggie Jackson is what fellow Hall of Famer Larry Doby was asking for in this letter dated January 11, 1993. Doby writes to Mr. October asking Reggie to peruse The Rules of Baseball by David Nemec and add comments that can be used on the back cover of the book or in marketing materials.
Document assigning Doby's contract to Triple-A after MLB career
Document assigning Doby's contract to Triple-A after MLB career
Larry Doby played his last Major League game on July 26, 1959 in Chicago against the Orioles. In his last at bat, he struck out against future 209-game winner Milt Pappas in an 8th inning appearance as a pinch hitter. Soon afterward, Doby was sent to the Triple-A San Diego Padres. In the collection is this document dated August 20, 1959 that officially options Doby from the White Sox to the PCL Padres.
Document signaling the release of Larry Doby from Triple-A
Document signaling the release of Larry Doby from Triple-A
Four days after Doby was officially optioned to Triple-A, the Padres released him. This document signals that release, is dated August 24, 1959 and addressed to Harold Tenney. Doby would never again play professional baseball in America. He would, however play for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan in 1962 before retiring completely as a player.
Doby's outright release from the White Sox organization on Opening Day, 1959
Doby's outright release from the White Sox organization on Opening Day, 1959
After spending time in the minors in 1959, Doby worked out with the Chisox during Spring Training of 1960 but did not earn a roster spot. When Chicago broke camp and opened their season at Comiskey Park against the Kansas City Athletics, they also gave Doby his outright release. This document, dated on Opening Day, April 19, 1960 officially releases Doby from the White Sox organization.
Larry Doby deserves to be recognized on the same level of Jackie Robinson! As the first African-American in the American League, Doby went through all the same things Jackie did in the National League.
I agree in fact Larry Don’t in some ways had it worse because unlike Don’t he didn’t have the support of certain players such as Pee Wee Reese, Carl Erskine, and others.