Larry Doby was the first black player to play in the American League signing with the Cleveland Indians in 1947. He would make a his major league debut with the Indians that year, but would have his official rookie season in 1948. The last season the Cleveland Indians won the World Series.
Before signing with the Indians, Doby had been a star in the Negro league star playing there four seasons, which was interrupted by a two-year stint in the U.S. Navy during WW II. In 1946, he was part of the Newark Eagles team that won the Negro league title.
Doby would play for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White So and Detriot Tigers. Doby enjoyed his best offensive season in 1954, when he hit 32 home runs and have 126 RBI. He would hit 20 or more home runs in 8 seasons, last being with the Chicago White Sox in 1956.
Doby was a seven time all-star all in a Cleveland Indians uniform. He would win the American home run title in 1952, and 1954. In 1998, he was elected by the veteran's committee to the Baseball Hall of Fame. His #14 has been retired by the Cleveland Indians.
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