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Larry Doby in Black and White: The Story of a Baseball Pioneer
When people think of baseball trailblazers, their minds immediately go to Jackie Robinson. He was the man who broke the color barrier, appearing in 1945 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and would go on to a Hall of Fame career. His number 42 is retired throughout baseball, and every year MLB holds "Jackie Robinson Day" across the league.
But he was far from the only trailblazer. Two years later, in 1947, a twenty-three-year-old Larry Doby appeared in a game for the Cleveland Indians. He is essentially known as the second African American to break the color barrier, and was the first to appear in the American League (as the Dodgers are in the National League).
While Robinson is always the one to be spoken about, Doby was just as good in the field and at the plate. In fact, he was a 9x All-Star, a two-time World Series champion (being the first African American, along with teammate Satchel Paige, to win a World Series), home run and batting champ, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 after an incredible 13-year MLB career. He is, and will always be, one of the greatest players in baseball history.
Beginning his professional baseball career at the tender age of eighteen, he would play five years for the Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues. In between, he spent two years out of baseball, defending his country in World War II as a member of the US Navy.
While Robinson had instant success with the Dodgers, Doby struggled off the bat. Having to endure immense racism (from fans, other ballplayers, and even teammates), disrespect, and threats on his life (and that of his family), it did not take until the following year, 1948, before he truly emerged as one of the best players in the game.
Written by esteemed author Jerry Izenberg--who saw Doby play with the Eagles as a youngster and would build a lifelong friendship with the ballplayer-- Larry Doby is the real, raw story of perseverance and determination in the face of immense hatred.
Including in-depth research, to go along with personal accounts and numerous one-on-one interviews, Izenberg delivers an incredible tale that gives Doby his due as one of the all-time greats, while also sharing the struggles, trials, and tribulations of being a black man in a white country.
With Major League Baseball finally incorporating the records and stats of those in the Negro Leagues, Doby's story is one that is long-overdo, shedding light on what it was like playing baseball and being black in the 1940s and '50s, and how hard work and determination was key to rising above all the hate and becoming one of the greatest to ever play the game
But he was far from the only trailblazer. Two years later, in 1947, a twenty-three-year-old Larry Doby appeared in a game for the Cleveland Indians. He is essentially known as the second African American to break the color barrier, and was the first to appear in the American League (as the Dodgers are in the National League).
While Robinson is always the one to be spoken about, Doby was just as good in the field and at the plate. In fact, he was a 9x All-Star, a two-time World Series champion (being the first African American, along with teammate Satchel Paige, to win a World Series), home run and batting champ, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 after an incredible 13-year MLB career. He is, and will always be, one of the greatest players in baseball history.
Beginning his professional baseball career at the tender age of eighteen, he would play five years for the Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues. In between, he spent two years out of baseball, defending his country in World War II as a member of the US Navy.
While Robinson had instant success with the Dodgers, Doby struggled off the bat. Having to endure immense racism (from fans, other ballplayers, and even teammates), disrespect, and threats on his life (and that of his family), it did not take until the following year, 1948, before he truly emerged as one of the best players in the game.
Written by esteemed author Jerry Izenberg--who saw Doby play with the Eagles as a youngster and would build a lifelong friendship with the ballplayer-- Larry Doby is the real, raw story of perseverance and determination in the face of immense hatred.
Including in-depth research, to go along with personal accounts and numerous one-on-one interviews, Izenberg delivers an incredible tale that gives Doby his due as one of the all-time greats, while also sharing the struggles, trials, and tribulations of being a black man in a white country.
With Major League Baseball finally incorporating the records and stats of those in the Negro Leagues, Doby's story is one that is long-overdo, shedding light on what it was like playing baseball and being black in the 1940s and '50s, and how hard work and determination was key to rising above all the hate and becoming one of the greatest to ever play the game
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 14, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 6, 2025
If you haven't read Jerry Izenberg in the Newark Star-Ledger, The Sporting News or the dozens of other outlets smart enough to bring his prose to you, that's an oversight you should rectify. Because More Jerry Izenberg is always a good thing.
Izenberg is still writing must-read columns for the Star-Ledger. He's just doing it in semi-retirement from Las Vegas. Oh, and this is where I should mention he's 92 years old.
He wrote this book not only because history demanded it, but as a labor of love, which comes out with every page. Yes, history demanded that SOMEBODY tell the story of Larry Doby, because for too damn long, Doby was swept under the rug of history as No. 2: the second Black to integrate the modern major leagues.
But Izenberg is the only person who could do it this kind of justice, because he was friends with Doby going back decades. He saw Doby play, understood how good he was, while--at the same time--not understanding the REAL struggles he faced until much later. He had it much tougher than Jackie Robinson did--a point Izenberg drills into you. So you understand.
Izenberg's relationship with Doby's son--Larry Doby Jr.--is what prompted this book. Doby wanted it done, but he wanted it done by someone who would do it right. And that's what Jr. made clear at the outset.
Izenberg did it right. You see the struggle. But more importantly, you FEEL the struggle. He takes you into the Cleveland locker room with Doby, where you experience the cold shoulder from notonly his manager, but all but five players.
My favorite part came toward the end, when there was a long-overdue crusade to get Doby into the Hall of Fame. Izenberg wrote a column blasting the Veterans' Committee voters--only to get a letter that began, "Dear Asshole." The letter came from Ted Williams, who was blasting Izenberg for popping off without knowing that the wheels were already in motion.
All in all, this is a marvelous, quick read about a figure who neeeded his story told. And Izenberg was the right scribe to tell it in so many ways.
Again, More Jerry Izenberg is always a good thing.
Izenberg is still writing must-read columns for the Star-Ledger. He's just doing it in semi-retirement from Las Vegas. Oh, and this is where I should mention he's 92 years old.
He wrote this book not only because history demanded it, but as a labor of love, which comes out with every page. Yes, history demanded that SOMEBODY tell the story of Larry Doby, because for too damn long, Doby was swept under the rug of history as No. 2: the second Black to integrate the modern major leagues.
But Izenberg is the only person who could do it this kind of justice, because he was friends with Doby going back decades. He saw Doby play, understood how good he was, while--at the same time--not understanding the REAL struggles he faced until much later. He had it much tougher than Jackie Robinson did--a point Izenberg drills into you. So you understand.
Izenberg's relationship with Doby's son--Larry Doby Jr.--is what prompted this book. Doby wanted it done, but he wanted it done by someone who would do it right. And that's what Jr. made clear at the outset.
Izenberg did it right. You see the struggle. But more importantly, you FEEL the struggle. He takes you into the Cleveland locker room with Doby, where you experience the cold shoulder from notonly his manager, but all but five players.
My favorite part came toward the end, when there was a long-overdue crusade to get Doby into the Hall of Fame. Izenberg wrote a column blasting the Veterans' Committee voters--only to get a letter that began, "Dear Asshole." The letter came from Ted Williams, who was blasting Izenberg for popping off without knowing that the wheels were already in motion.
All in all, this is a marvelous, quick read about a figure who neeeded his story told. And Izenberg was the right scribe to tell it in so many ways.
Again, More Jerry Izenberg is always a good thing.
September 19, 2024
High praise for Jerry Izenberg for this tribute to Larry Doby, the first negro baseball player in the American league. What Doby endured playing for Cleveland was never as public as the what Jackie Robinson went through. Izenberg's style is exceptional. Jim Crow was alive and well during both either careers.
July 14, 2024
Jerry izenberg is one of nations greatest sports writers and with this book he has delivered a beautiful, moving and historic look at the great Larry Doby. I encourage anyone interested in African-American history to read this beautiful book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews