Larry Doby was a monumental figure in Cleveland Guardians history.
Not only was he a supremely talented baseball player, but he was instrumental for the end of the color barrier in MLB.
Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers was the first Black player in the history of MLB, but Doby was the second (in 1947) and the first in the American League.
From 1947 to 1955, he played for Cleveland and then returned for another stint there in 1958.
A member of the Hall of Fame since 1998, Doby would have turned 100 on Wednesday.
He died aged 79 in 2003, but his achievements stick forever in the memories of those who saw him or heard stories about him.
Doby’s family was invited to the U.S. Capitol as Larry, posthumously, received a prestigious recognition.
“A well-deserved birthday gift. On what would have been his 100th birthday, Larry Doby was awarded today with the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal. Members of Doby’s family gathered at the U.S. Capitol to receive the award in his honor and celebrate his accomplishments in the world of baseball and beyond,” the Guardians tweeted.
A well-deserved birthday gift.
On what would have been his 100th birthday, Larry Doby was awarded today with the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal. Members of Doby’s family gathered at the U.S. Capitol to receive the award in his honor and celebrate his accomplishments in… pic.twitter.com/cbB47ODFBJ
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) December 13, 2023
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor a civilian can earn.
It’s always positive for people to remember and celebrate the stars that paved the way for a talented generation of Black players to thrive in the best baseball league in the world.
Doby led the American League twice in his time with the Guardians, and was very important in the last World Series title the franchise won, in 1948.
He became the first Black player to homer in a World Series game and was instrumental for the late-1940s and early-1950s team.
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