Larry Doby

On July 5, 1947, Lawrence Eugene Doby stepped onto the field in a Cleveland Indians jersey and became the first African American to play baseball in the American League. Paterson is proud to claim this barrier breaker as one of our own! In this exhibit, you will learn about Larry Doby’s high school sports career, his time playing in the Negro Leagues for the Newark Eagles and his transition to a career in Major League Baseball.