Cleveland Guardians celebrates Larry Doby Day, July 5th

By Rhonda Crowder

On July 5, 1947, just eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the National League, Larry Doby made his Major League debut with Cleveland and broke the color barrier in the American League. Doby’s presence in the lineup made history in baseball and was instrumental in Cleveland’s 1948 World Series title. In the Majors, Doby was a seven-time All-Star and two-time AL home run leader.

The Cleveland Guardians are proud to celebrate the legacy of Larry Doby on Saturday, July 5, 2025 – 78 years after his Major League Debut.

Born Lawrence “Larry" Eugene Doby born on December 13, 1923, in Camden, South Carolina, to David Doby and Etta Brooks, Doby's father was a semi professional baseball player.

Doby developed a strong interest in the sport early on. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school, excelling in baseball, basketball, and football. He even received a basketball scholarship to Long Island University.

His professional baseball career began in 1942, when he joined the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League. He played briefly under an alias to protect his college eligibility. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he returned to the Eagles and helped them win the 1946 Negro League World Series.

Doby started playing for the Cleveland Indians (now the Cleveland Guardians) after the team purchased his contract from the Newark Eagles. This made Doby the second African American player in Major League Baseball and the first in the American League.

During his time with the Cleveland Indians, Doby became a celebrated player. In addition to being a seven-time All-Star, he won two American League home run titles (1952, 1954) while the Indians 1948 World Series win made him and teammate Satchel Paige the first African-American players to win a World Series. 

The Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 inducted him in 1998.

Other ways Larry Doby’s contributions are recognized and celebrated in Cleveland include:

Larry Doby Way:  Eagle Avenue, which runs right alongside Progressive Field, was officially renamed “Larry Doby Way” in 2012. This street name directly honors his legacy and makes it a tangible part of the downtown landscape.

Larry Doby Statue: In 2015, a life-sized bronze statue of Larry Doby was unveiled outside the Right Field Gate of Progressive Field (at the corner of East 9th Street and Larry Doby Way). The statue captures him in a powerful pose, having just hit a home run. It stands alongside statues of other Cleveland baseball legends like Jim Thome and Bob Feller.

Retired Jersey Number: The Cleveland Guardians (Indians at the time) retired Larry Doby's jersey number, #14, in his honor. This is a significant tribute in baseball, indicating his lasting impact on the franchise.

Mural at Progressive Field: In 2022, a mural featuring Larry Doby, Satchel Paige, and Frank Robinson was unveiled on Gateway Plaza, outside the left-field gate of Progressive Field. This mural celebrates their roles as "barrier breakers" in the organization's history.

Historical Marker: There is also a historical marker dedicated to Larry Doby located at the Cleveland Guardians Progressive Field north entrance, in front of Gate C-3. It provides details about his life and groundbreaking career.

These tributes ensure Doby's incredible contributions to baseball and civil rights are remembered and celebrated in Cleveland.