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.
FAQs
Hall of Fame
Who is the second black person in the Baseball Hall of Fame? ›
Who was the 2nd black player in MLB? ›
Larry Doby (born Dec. 13, 1923, Camden, S.C., U.S.—died June 18, 2003, Montclair, N.J.) American baseball player, the second African American player in the major leagues and the first in the American League when he joined the Cleveland Indians in 1947.
Who was the first black Hall of Famer? ›
American player in New York Giants history. In 1967, he became the first African-American Hall of Famer.
Who was the best Negro league player? ›
The following ten players are considered among the top players in the Negro Leagues:
- Satchel Paige, 1927–1947.
- Oscar Charleston, 1915–1941.
- Josh Gibson, 1930–1946.
- John Henry “Pop” Lloyd, 1907–1932.
- Buck Leonard, 1934–1948.
- Turkey Stearnes, 1920–1040.
- Mule Suttles, 1923–1944.
- Ray Dandridge, 1933–1944.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was founded in 1990 by a group of former Negro league baseball players, including Kansas City Monarchs outfielder Alfred Surratt, Buck O'Neil, Larry Lester, Phil S. Dixon and Horace Peterson.
Is there a Negro League Hall of Fame? ›
The Negro League Legends Hall of Fame, Inc. a 501 (c) 3 not for profit, 100% volunteer organization, we not only educate the young and old about the contributions of the Colored Professional League the first era of black baseball but the Negro League the 2nd era both in American Baseball History.
Who was the 3rd Black baseball player? ›
Weldy Wilberforce Walker (July 27, 1860 – November 23, 1937), sometimes known as Welday Walker and W. W. Walker, was an American baseball player. In 1884, he became the third African American to play Major League Baseball. Steubenville, Ohio, U.S. Steubenville, Ohio, U.S.
Who was the legendary Black baseball player? ›
Legendary Black baseball players that came later on, such as Willie Mays, Bob Gibson, Ken Griffey Jr., Ozzie Smith, Reggie Jackson, Barry Bonds, and Hank Aaron, can all trace their opportunities to play “America's Sport” back to the paths blazed by the amazing and resilient players of The Negro Leagues, many who never ...
Who is the most famous Black baseball player? ›
1. Jackie Robinson – 1947-1956. Jackie Robinson is one of the most famous baseball greats on this list. On April 15, 1947, he played first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, making him the first African-American to smash the MLB color line in the modern era.
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.
Who was the best home run hitter in the Negro league? ›
But the applause Josh Gibson received should have been louder. He was considered the best power hitter of his era in the Negro Leagues and perhaps even the majors. Gibson was born on Dec. 21, 1911, in Buena Vista, Ga.
Who was the youngest Negro league player? ›
Biddle played for the Chicago American Giants in 1953 and 1954. Because he was only seventeen years old when he played, Biddle was entered into the Congressional Record as the youngest person to play in the Negro baseball leagues.
Who was the 3rd black baseball player? ›
Weldy Wilberforce Walker (July 27, 1860 – November 23, 1937), sometimes known as Welday Walker and W. W. Walker, was an American baseball player. In 1884, he became the third African American to play Major League Baseball. Steubenville, Ohio, U.S. Steubenville, Ohio, U.S.
How many black people are in the Hall of Fame baseball? ›
When you look at the full list of famous black baseball player you will find there is currently 23 (As of 6/16) black ball players holding a spot in Cooperstown. The total number of inductees into the baseball hall of fame is over 310.
Who is in 2 Halls of Fame? ›
Cal Hubbard is the only man enshrined in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963) and the Baseball Hall of Fame (1976).
How many black pitchers are in the Baseball Hall of Fame? ›
There are 10 black pitchers who have been inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame, but eight of those are from the Negro Leagues. The other two are Gibson, inducted in 1981, and Canadian native Ferguson Jenkins 10 years later.
