Home Notice Box Sports Indians to unveil Larry Doby statue, broke AL color barrier

Indians to unveil Larry Doby statue, broke AL color barrier

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CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians will unveil a statue of Hall of Famer Larry Doby, the first black player in the American League, on Saturday at Progressive Field.

Doby broke the color barrier in the AL on July 5, 1947, just months after Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Doby spent nine seasons with Cleveland and helped lead the Indians to a World Series title in 1948. He had a career .283 average with 253 homers. He led the league with 32 homers and 126 RBIs in 1954, when the Indians won 111 games.

Before joining the Indians, Doby starred for Newark in the Negro League. He retired following the 1959 season.

Doby’s No. 14 was retired in 1994, 47 years after he was signed by Indians owner Bill Veeck.

A seven-time All-Star, Doby died in 2003 at the age of 79.

By Tom Withers

AP Sports Writer