On July 3, 1947, the Cleveland Indians purchased Larry Doby from the Negro League’s Newark Eagles. Two days later, Doby became the first black player to play in the American League. He became a seven-time All-Star center fielder and, along with Satchel Paige, became one of the first black players to win a World Series Championship in 1948.
Exactly 47 years later, in July 3, 1994 the Indians retired Doby’s number 14. He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.
Great Fourth of July gift for the entire country. Thanks for reminding us.
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Indeed it was. The timing could not have been better.
Another Veeck legacy and kinda different than Jackie Robinson in that Doby went directly from Negro Lagues to MLB with no minors.