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

Rickyy · #1 05-07-2018, 12:59 AM

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 · #2 05-07-2018, 02:23 AM

Like Avis, he was #2.

seanofjapan · #3 05-07-2018, 03:09 AM

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 · #4 05-07-2018, 05:17 AM

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.

iwantitiwinit · #5 05-07-2018, 05:37 AM

In addition to what has already been mentioned, I would think the fact that the Dodgers were a more popular team plays a part in it.

Peter_Spaeth · #6 05-07-2018, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

A French film called "Nagasaki, Mon Amour" would not have made it.

packs · #7 05-07-2018, 08:17 AM

I think posters are right about Doby being #2. It's not surprising to me that he doesn't get the same pomp as Jackie. His accomplishment wasn't totally lost though I don't think. He is certainly in the HOF for it more than his career numbers.

Snapolit1 · #8 05-07-2018, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packs

I think posters are right about Doby being #2. It's not surprising to me that he doesn't get the same pomp as Jackie. His accomplishment wasn't totally lost though I don't think. He is certainly in the HOF for it more than his career numbers.

I'd argue that Monte Irwin is another trailblazer that is woefully ignored.

rhettyeakley · #9 05-07-2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packs

I think posters are right about Doby being #2. It's not surprising to me that he doesn't get the same pomp as Jackie. His accomplishment wasn't totally lost though I don't think. He is certainly in the HOF for it more than his career numbers.

Career 49.6 War, 7 x all star with a nearly identical number of hits as Jackie Robinson doesn�t really support your last statement. He wasn�t a first ballot HOFer for sure but he isn�t in the Hof only because he was the first AL African American.

tedzan · #10 05-07-2018, 02:36 PM

Hi Rhett

Here's my recollection of the 1947 - 1948 American League events regarding Larry Doby and Satchell Paige. I was only 10 years old then,
but a very avid BB fan (Yankees), and with an unforgetable memory of those great times.
As you know, as you age, the memories of your youth can be surprisingly clear. But, you cannot recall yesterday's events

Anyhow, in 1948 Larry Doby was actually 3rd in the "favorability" column. He was sort of overshadowed by his new teammate, Satchell Paige.
Paige was everyone's favorite. Nonetheless, the two of them together were instrumental in Cleveland's American League Championship victory.

Paige....W-L 6-1 (including 2 Shutouts) and 2.48 ERA
Doby....BA= .301 (132 Hits), 14 HR's, 83 Runs, 66 RBI's

The general Sports media back then of course favored Jackie Robinson. However, the North Jersey sports media really gave Larry Doby a lot of
publicity since he lived in Paterson, NJ.

Larry was a really friendly guy to meet with and chat and get his autograph.

.

Incidentally, in the 1936 Summer Olympics, Jessie Owens certainly deserved all the publicity. Ironically, Mack Robinson (Jackie's older brother)
was also a tremendous athlete in this Olympics. But, how many people recall Mack Robinson's achievement's ?

TED Z

T206 Reference
.

rhettyeakley · #11 05-07-2018, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedzan

Hi Rhett

Here's my recollection of the 1947 - 1948 American League events regarding Larry Doby and Satchell Paige. I was only 10 years old then,
but a very avid BB fan (Yankees), and with an unforgetable memory of those great times.
As you know, as you age, the memories of your youth can be surprisingly clear. But, you cannot recall yesterday's events

Anyhow, in 1948 Larry Doby was actually 3rd in the "favorability" column. He was sort of overshadowed by his new teammate, Satchell Paige.
Paige was everyone's favorite. Nonetheless, the two of them together were instrumental in Cleveland's American League Championship victory.

Paige....W-L 6-1 (including 2 Shutouts) and 2.48 ERA
Doby....BA= .301 (132 Hits), 14 HR's, 83 Runs, 66 RBI's

The general Sports media back then of course favored Jackie Robinson. However, the North Jersey sports media really gave Larry Doby a lot of
publicity since he lived in Paterson, NJ.

Larry was a really friendly guy to meet with and chat and get his autograph.

.

Incidentally, in the 1936 Summer Olympics, Jessie Owens certainly deserved all the publicity. Ironically, Mack Robinson (Jackie's older brother)
was also a tremendous athlete in this Olympics. But, how many people recall Mack Robinson's achievement's ?

TED Z

T206 Reference
.

Ted, you are correct in that Mack Robinson is really fascinating story as well. The supporting characters in a story often get overlooked is the take home message to all of this, I suppose.

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