sabr.org
This is the 3rd profile of a player not included in Strat-O-Matic’s 103 card set.
Larry Doby was the first player to move directly from the Negro Leagues to the major leagues when he joined the Cleveland Indians in 1947.
“Exceptional athletic prowess and a staunch constitution led to a successful playing career after integrating the American League in 1947. A seven-time All-Star who batted .283 with 253 home runs and 970 RBI in 13 Major League seasons. The power-hitting center fielder paced the A.L. in home runs twice and collected 100 RBI five times, while leading the Indians to pennants in 1948 and 1954. Appointed manager of the White Sox in 1978, the second African-American to lead a Major League club. Played four seasons with Newark in the Negro National League. Following player career worked as a scout and Major League Baseball executive.”
Larry Doby HOF Plaque
Doby played for the Newark Eagles from 1942-1947, missing the 1944 and 1945 seasonw while serving in the US Navy in World War II. In 1946 the Eagles won the championship, thanks in part to Doby’s .341 average. He also finished 1 home run behind the league leaders (Josh Gibson, Johnny Davis). In 1947 he was hitting .414 before joining Cleveland. He ended up batting .301 the following season, when the Indians won the World Series.
His best batting average was .326 in 1950. He led the American League in home runs in 1952 and 1954 with 32 in each year, and he also led the league in RBI in 1954 with 126.
Doby is one of only 4 men to play in a Negro Leagues and Major League World Series. (Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, and Satchel Paige were the other 3.) Doby became the second black manager in the major leagues when he managed the 1978 Chicago White Sox.
Doby was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998, and his #14 has been retired by the Cleveland Indians.
baseballhall.org