Larry Doby: The Struggle of the American League's First Black Player

by Joseph Thomas Moore, Paul Dickson (Introduction)

Thoroughly researched and beautifully written, this inspiring tale chronicles the life of the second black player to reach the Major Leagues. In 1947 Larry Doby joined the Cleveland Indians, integrating the American League eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson's first appearance with the Brooklyn Dodgers. A seven-time All Star, Doby hit 253 home runs, drove in nearly 1,000 runs, and performed with distinction in the 1948 World Series. While achieving those remarkable statistics, he faced the same prejudices that plagued Robinson — but with far less media attention and support.The story of Doby's struggles constitutes a critical chapter in African-American history and the Civil Rights movement. This captivating account of his triumph over bigotry and injustice was praised by The New York Times Book Review as "a tribute to both its author and Larry Doby." Now available in an updated edition, it features a new Introduction, an additional chapter that covers Doby's 1998 induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and a selection of new photographs.

Genres: Baseball, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 17, 2012

Reviews

[Marty Monforte · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Larry Doby: The Struggle of the American League’s First Black Player”, by Joseph Thomas Moore, is a well written biography of the first African American player to play in the American League. The book addresses the courage that African American players had as they made their way to the major leagues. The book also chronicles the strong character of Doby, who overcame many struggles to play in the major leagues.

Doby’s formative years in Patterson, New Jersey are featured in the book. Additionally, his development as a player, his playing career with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox and his involvement with baseball after his retirement is also addressed. After he retired, Doby became a successful hitting coach, which led to his promotion as manager of the White Sox. Doby became the second African American manager in the history of the major leagues. Frank Robinson became the first African American manager in the majors when he was hired by Cleveland.

Doby was a talented baseball player who was often the best player or one of the best players on his team. He made 6 All Star games. He also helped the Indians win the 1948 World Series.

Doby had good friendships with some of his teammates. As a manager, he was respected by the players for the White Sox. Doby did a good job as manager, as some of the players’ batting averages improved after he took over the team. The White Sox finished 24-20 for their last 44 games with Doby as manager. Nevertheless, Doby was not retained for the next season.

In 1994, The Cleveland Baseball team retired his number, and in 1998, Doby was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Both honors represented rewards for Doby’s perseverance and hard work. Additionally, Doby received honorary doctorates from Long Island University, Montclair State University, Princeton University and Fairfield University in Connecticut. The honorary doctorates show that Doby’s contributions transcended baseball.

The book features many quotes from Doby and those who played with him or played for him when he managed. The quotes help portray the kind of person Doby was and how much people liked and respected him. He was a popular and respected person in and out of baseball.

This book was easy to read and very informative. It was interesting and educational. I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in baseball.

[David Miraldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid biography of Larry Doby, based on the author's interviews with him and his contemporaries. It provides insight into this overlooked baseball pioneer who broke the color line in the American Leagues eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson did so in the National League. Besides being the second black in the major leagues, he was also the second black manager.

Moore provides us with a much better appreciation of this man who because of his quieter personality never seemed to emerge from Jackie Robinson's shadow. The author recounts Doby's difficult childhood during which he was raised by various relatives and family friends. What emerges is a man who was shaped by loneliness and found refuge in sports. He was a proud man who was strong enough to be himself.

Doby was unlike both Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige, two other black stars of that era. Robinson was very vocal about black civil rights outside of the baseball arena. Doby made his statements about racism in one-on-one situations. Doby also had little patience for blacks like Satchel Paige who he viewed as a Step Fetchit personality.

Doby was an intense competitor who wanted the same opportunities as those afforded white ball players. He was a proud, dignified man who followed his own path. Although fellow white players respected his abilities, he did not connect with most members on his team because he did not drink or play cards with them after the games. As a result, they viewed him as aloof and moody.

He received the same vile treatment as Jackie Robinson from fans and was unfairly judged by several of his managers who were racist. Even the Cleveland sports writers turned on him when they claimed his hitting fell off during the last months of several pennant races. Several white players whose production declined during the same period were not singled out.

If he had not endured the pressure and indignities of being the first black in the American League, many believe he would have had a career more like that of Willie Mays.

[Colie Stancil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry Doby - a pioneer, an athlete, a native South Carolinian, and a wonderful man.

Larry Doby broke the color barrier of the American League of Major League Baseball just shortly after Jackie Robinson did so in the National League.

This is his story; a story of determination, racism, astounding confidence, failure, and triumph. Another review stated that this was a work full of sadness. And it is. But it's also grim determination in the face of sadness. And hope.

In the words of Doby himself:

"What I'm trying to say is that for black and white youngsters, there are some good people in this world. ... I don't want to think about prejudice anymore. I'd rather think positively about tomorrow."

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fine book - a literal, nearly day by day chronology of Larry Doby's life. There was an overwhelming sadness to the book. but Doby's strength and his own insight to his personal values showed through every page. Only limited content regarding the other persons with and against whom Doby dealt, but that was not the purpose of the book. A book should not be criticized for what it was not. Proud that Larry Doby was my parents' foremost baseball hero.

[Richard Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading the story about Larry Doby, the first black baseball player in the history of the American league, a man who played outfield for the Cleveland Indians. As someone who lives in Cleveland, Ohio and who cheers for the Indians, I was especially encouraged by the local history.

The author did extensive research and conducted personal interviews. The writing style was factual and informative but not as imaginative and compelling as I would have liked.

Stories are told about the racism Doby experienced from his teammates – one player would not loan his glove to Doby – and from managers of hotels and restaurants who would not allow blacks to stay or eat at their place of business. Stores are also told about some of the kindnesses that Doby received from his teammates and from others.

Personally, I wanted to read more details about those stories – the stories of those who took a risk to extend fellowship and kindness to a man in the minority.

Doby himself was probably not likely to talk about such details. The book made the case that he was an extremely private person who did not express personal feelings readily. It appears as though he had intense feelings and wise perspectives.

I wonder if the author could have spent more time with Doby's family members in order to gain more insight into the kindnesses as well as the prejudices that Doby had to face.

I found the last chapter fascinating. The author compares Larry Doby's persona with the persona of two other famous black athletes who broke the color barrier: Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige. The author maintains that Robinson was much more vocal and wanted to spotlight while Doby was able to fight against prejudice in a much more individual way. The author claims that Paige was a humorist who was more interested in padding his pocketbook than pushing against prejudice while Doby took a stand against racism has a serious responsibility.

[Benjamin Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best baseball biographies I’ve read.