Re: “Happy 75th Anniversary, Jackie Robinson.”
Every year the author submits an opinion piece commemorating Jackie Robinson breaking the “unofficial” color barrier in baseball. Yet history – and Mr. Penner – have forgotten another Larry: Larry Eugene Doby.
Larry Doby became the first Black player in the American League when he debuted for the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians) on 7/5/1947.
Unlike Robinson, who received largely favorable coverage from the press and support from his teammates, Doby was virtually ignored by his teammates; only Joe Gordon befriended him.
Doby endured all the abuses and humiliations Robinson did, without the fanfare. Doby also became the second Black manager in MLB, after Frank Robinson.
Why is Larry Doby ignored? Why doesn’t Mr. Penner ever mention him?
Nat Weiner
Bronx
