Larry Doby

Date of Birth: December 13, 1923

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: June 18, 2003

Biography

Larry Doby was an American professional baseball player who broke the color barrier in the American League, following Jackie Robinson’s integration into the National League. Born on December 13, 1923, in Camden, South Carolina, Doby grew up in Paterson, New Jersey. He excelled in multiple sports during his high school years and attended Long Island University on a basketball scholarship before enlisting in the Navy during World War II. Doby’s athletic prowess was evident from a young age, and he played with the Newark Eagles in the Negro Leagues, where he became one of the standout players. In July 1947, just a few months after Jackie Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Doby signed with the Cleveland Indians, making him the first African American to play in the American League. He faced intense racial prejudice but excelled on the field, helping the Indians win the World Series in 1948. Doby was a seven-time All-Star and became the league leader in home runs twice during his career. After retiring as a player, Doby continued to break barriers, becoming the second African American manager in Major League Baseball when he briefly managed the Chicago White Sox in 1978. Larry Doby passed away on June 18, 2003, but his legacy as a trailblazer and a remarkable athlete endures.

5 Interesting Facts about Larry Doby

1. Larry Doby was the first African American to play in the American League, debuting with the Cleveland Indians on July 5, 1947.

2. He was a seven-time All-Star and helped the Cleveland Indians win the 1948 World Series.

3. Doby was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.

4. Before his baseball career, Doby served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

5. He became the second African American manager in Major League Baseball when he managed the Chicago White Sox in 1978.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Larry Doby

1. “I knew being accepted was going to be hard, but I knew I was involved in a situation that was going to bring opportunities to other blacks.”

2. “You had to do a good job. You had to be better than they were.”

3. “My best day in baseball was probably breaking the color barrier in the American League.”

4. “There’s a lot of pride involved when you’re breaking the color line.”

5. “You had to take a lot of abuse to be in the situation I was in. But knowing that, I wanted to do my best to open the doors for others.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Larry Doby’s highest net worth achieved during his lifetime is estimated to be around $1 million.

Children

Larry Doby had five children with his wife, Helyn Doby, who passed away in 2001. Their children are named Larry Jr., Leslie, Kimberly, Susan, and Cheryll.