Larry Doby first donned a Cleveland Indians jersey on July 5, 1947.  Now, 68 years later, Doby will be honored with a statue outside of Gate C at Progressive Field.  It’s not as if Doby hasn’t received any recognition before now – his number 14 was retired by the Indians in the late 1990s and they renamed the street behind the ballpark after him in 2012.  But after the Indians announced a Jim Thome statue a few years ago, it seemed a glaring omission that he received one before Doby.

While I wish the statue dedication could have come July 5 (the Indians were out of town) there is a certain symmetry of doing it in a game against the White Sox.  After he retired as a player, Doby eventually managed the White Sox; the second African American manager in baseball.  I’m very pleased and excited that I’ll get to pass a statue of Doby every time I enter Progressive Field.

 

Indians White Sox
2B
Mike Aviles
CF
Adam Eaton
SS
Francisco Lindor
3B
Tyler Saladino
CF
Michael Brantley
LF
Melky Cabrera
LF
Ryan Raburn
1B
Jose Abreu
1B
Carlos Santana
DH
Adam LaRoche
C
Yan Gomes
RF
Avisail Garcia
RF
Brandon Moss
SS
Alexei Ramirez
DH
Jesus Aguilar
C
Tyler Flowers
3B
Giovanny Urshela
2B
Carlos Sanchez
SP
Carlos Carrasco
SP
Chris Sale

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