Lawmakers introduce Bill to honor Larry Doby with Congressional Gold Medal

U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), along with U.S. Reps. Jim Renacci (R-OH-16) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-9), introduced legislation to honor Larry Doby, the first African-American to play in the American League, with the Congressional Gold Medal for his career and contributions to the American civil rights movement. In joining the American League, Doby effectively integrated all of professional baseball. This year is the 70th Anniversary of Doby’s debut with the Cleveland Indians in 1947. “Being the ‘first’ to break through barriers is often a responsibility that is met with enormous sacrifice and perseverance,” said Senator Scott. “These are individuals who risk it all to pave a different, brighter future for countless generations, and why trailblazers like South Carolina native Larry Doby deserve to be recognized for taking the first step that has opened the door to so many. Doby’s contribution to Major League Baseball, the Civil Rights movement, and his service to our nation will forever be etched in our country’s history.” Lawrence Eugene “Larry” Doby joined the Cleveland Indians in July 1947, becoming the first African-American to play in the American League. During his 13-year career in the American League, Doby tallied 1,533 games, batting .283, with 253 home runs and 970 runs batted in. He played in two World Series, leading the 1948 Cleveland Indians to a World Championship over the Boston Braves. He was the first African-American player to hit a home run in a World Series game, led the American League in home runs twice, and was voted to seven All-Star teams. In 1978, the Chicago White Sox hired Doby as their manager and he became the second African-American manager in Major League history. He later served as Director of Community Relations for the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. He was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2013. Doby was born in Camden, South Carolina in 1923 and moved to Paterson, New Jersey in 1938, where he became a standout athlete at Paterson Eastside High School. He attended Long Island University on a basketball scholarship before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was discharged in 1946 and went on to play baseball in the Negro National League for the Newark Eagles. Doby passed away in 2003. Major League Base Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum support the bill.