The late-1940s were a turbulent time in baseball.
Even when Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, many players and fans were against Black players in the league.
He had to endure a lot of abuse.
Much has been made about Robinson’s historic feat, and for good reason.
He was the first Black player to show his talent on a National League team.
But Larry Doby was the first ever to play in the American League, and had to go through a lot, too.
Perhaps he deserves more credit and recognition.
Today marks the 76th anniversary of his arrival with the Cleveland Guardians, then known as the Indians.
“76 years ago today, Larry Doby broke racial barriers by becoming the A.L.’s first black player as a member of the @CleGuardians organization,” Bally Sports Cleveland tweeted.
76 years ago today, Larry Doby broke racial barriers by becoming the A.L.'s first black player as a member of the @CleGuardians organization. ?#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/a18g28kE7R
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) July 5, 2023
Doby made his debut on July 5, 76 years ago.
In that first season, the 23-year-old Doby slashed a poor .156/.182/.188 in 33 plate appearances.
That wasn’t an issue: everybody in baseball knew Doby was a special player.
He had shown it in the Negro Leagues, and all he needed was patience and an opportunity.
He got that chance in 1948, when he became a regular by virtue of hitting .301/.384/.490 with 14 home runs in 500 trips to the plate.
He went on to have an amazing career in the bigs, with 273 home runs and a .288/.389/.499 line.
Doby earned a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.
He has an important place in Cleveland’s baseball history.
NEXT: The Guardians Had An Unlikely Hero On Tuesday
