May 10, 2007

Announced May 10, 2007

Cleveland Indians honouring Larry Doby on Aug. 10


Every member of the Cleveland Indians will don No. 14 in honour of Larry Doby, the American League's first black player, when they host the New York Yankees on Aug. 10.

The tribute is similar to the one held April 15, when the Los Angeles Dodgers wore No. 42 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the colour barrier in Major League Baseball with the National League's Brooklyn Dodgers.

Larry Doby played 10 of 13 seasons with the Cleveland Indians.
(Diamond Images/Getty Images) Larry Doby Jr. will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Jacobs Field.

Each No. 14 uniform worn by the Indians will be autographed and auctioned off by Cleveland Indians Charities on behalf of the Larry Doby RBI Program, as well as a baseball scholarship established in his name at Cleveland State.

Doby made his historic AL debut on July 5, 1947, two days after he was signed by Indians owner Bill Veeck.

Prior to joining the Indians, Doby played four pro seasons with the Newark Eagles and won the 1946 Negro League World Series.

Doby hit .283 lifetime with 253 home runs, 970 runs batted in and 960 runs scored in 1,533 games over 13 MLB seasons with the Indians, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers.

A gifted centre-fielder, he was chosen an all-star seven times and helped Cleveland win the 1948 World Series over the Boston Braves.

Doby and pitcher Don Newcombe later became the first major leaguers to play for a Japanese team, joining the Chunichi Dragons in 1962.

Doby's number No. 14 was retired by the Indians in 1994, and he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.

Doby died on June 18, 2003, at age 79.