Doby, "Larry" (Lawrence E.)
Baseball
b. Dec. 13, 1924, Camden, SC d. June 18, 2003
The first black to play in the American League, Doby made his debut with the Cleveland Indians on July 5, 1947, just three months after Jackie Robinson had broken the major league color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The 6-foot-1, 182-pound Doby, who threw right but batted left, was soon recognized as one of the best centerfielders in baseball. A good hitter with power, he was also a fine defensive player.
In 1948, his first full season, he batted .301 and helped the Indians win the World Series by hitting .318 with a game-winning home run. Named to the All-Star team every year from 1949 through 1955, Doby led the AL in home runs in 1952 and 1954, with 32 each season. He also led in runs scored with 104 in 1952 and in RBI with 126 in 1954.
The Indians traded him to the Chicago White Sox in 1956. Because of injuries, Doby became a part-time player in 1957 and he retired after splitting the 1959 season between the White Sox and the Detroit Tigers.
In 1978, Doby was named manager of the White Sox, becoming only the second black manager in major league history. He had a 37-87 record before being replaced late in the season.