O/T Why doesn't MLB Celebrate Larry Doby more?

[rhettyeakley]

I was speaking with my brother Rhys on the phone today and we both got to speaking about Jackie Robinson and the other players from 1947 that "broke the color barrier" (and in the case of Johnny Wright, the other African American that broke in with Montreal in 1946 along with Jackie). I find it interesting that the American League does nothing to celebrate the man who broke their color barrier, Larry Doby.

I have heard people speak about the two situations and they described Jackie Robinson's situation as a slow roll-out after being with Montreal for a season while Larry Doby just sort of showed up one day. I think it is a bit lost that only the National League was involved in games involving Jackie Robinson, while the A.L. guys were also quietly paving new ground as well.

Also, almost never spoken about are the other 1947 guys that also faced a lot heat... Hank Thompson, Willard Brown, and Dan Bankhead.

Interested in hearing other peoples thoughts on this.

Again, I am not trying to take anything away from Jackie just not seeing a lot of love for Larry Doby.

[frankbmd]

Thalia Menninger more loved than Larry Doby or Dobie in the long run.

[Rickyy]

I just read his autobiography. I agree he should be recognized as well. In his second season he helped them win the pennant. He said Bill Veeck was also a visionary who didn't see color and treated him not only equally as a player but also like a family member. As a side note My dad lived in Ohio around those glory days of the late 40's - early 50's Indians (in Berea after his family was released from japanese-american relocation camp - they moved there thanks to some family connections to temporary escape post war hostilities still present in California) and he rooted for Larry because he understood in a way the prejudice that he would and did face in the early days.

Ricky Y

[pclpads]

Like Avis, he was #2.

[seanofjapan]

Here is an interesting fact. We all know that Doby is famous as the "second man" not only for being the second to break the color barrier as a player but also as a manager (each time beaten by a guy named Robinson). But there is an overlooked third major accomplishment that he also came in second at.

In 1962 he and Don Newcombe became the first Major leaguers to play for NPB teams in Japan (the pro league there). They both played for the Chunichi Dragons in Nagoya (where, coincidentally, I now live). Newcombe made his debut on June 23 that year. Doby made his on.....June 30th! So he missed being the first MLBer to play in Japan by a week too!

If there was ever an award for "Most lifetime achievements of being a close second at major things" then he would win it hands down.

[JollyElm]

Perhaps it's simply a case of the ole 'First Man on the Moon' effect. Everyone always talks about Neil Armstrong, but far fewer give Buzz Aldrin his due respect. Could be a parallel there.