[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1365-E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    TRIBUTE TO BASEBALL LEGEND AND CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER, LARRY DOBY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 1997

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to Mr. 
Lawrence Eugene Doby of Montclair, NJ, the first African-American to 
play baseball in the American League.
  Mr. Doby was a leader in breaking down the color barriers both in 
baseball, and outside the stadium walls in our society. Mr. Doby first 
played for the Cleveland Indians on July 5, 1947. Now, as we approach 
the 50th anniversary of that momentous day, it is fitting that we pay 
tribute to this great civil rights pioneer and honor his many 
achievements.
  Mr. Doby was born in Camden, SC, on December 12, 1923. In 1938, he 
and his mother moved to Paterson, NJ, where he immediately demonstrated 
his great athletic prowess. At Eastside High School, he lettered in no 
less than four sports--baseball, basketball, track, and football. Upon 
his graduation from high school, Mr. Doby enrolled in Long Island 
University on a basketball scholarship. He later transferred to 
Virginia Union College, but had his education interrupted when he was 
drafted into the Navy in 1943.
  Mr. Doby began his path to eventual stardom after receiving an 
honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, when he joined the San Juan 
Senators in Puerto Rico and played there for several months. Later in 
1946, Mr. Doby joined the Newark Eagles in the Negro National League as 
a second baseman. In his first year on the Eagles, Mr. Doby had a .348 
batting average and earned a spot on the Negro American League All-
Stars team. He also led the Eagles to the World Series, where they 
defeated the Kansas City Monarchs in a seven-game series.
  During the early part of the 1947, rumors began spreading that Mr. 
Doby had been chosen to be the Jackie Robinson of the American League. 
These rumors became reality on July 5, 1947, as Bill Veeck of the 
Cleveland Indians officially purchased his contract from Effa Manley, 
the owner of the Newark Eagles.
  Mr. Doby played in the American League for a total of 13 seasons. He 
spent nine of those with the Indians, three with the Chicago White Sox, 
and one, his last season, with the Detroit Tigers. His baseball career 
as a player ended on May 7, 1960, due to a torn ligament, fractured 
ankle and several other injuries. Throughout his career, Mr. Doby had 
amassed an astounding record, including a .283 batting average; 253 
home runs; 969 runs; and a .983 fielding average. He also broke down 
several additional color barriers by becoming the first African-
American to play in the World Series, hit a home run in any World 
Series, and win a major league home run title.
  Despite his many commitments and extensive traveling, Mr. Doby 
managed to find time to raise a close-knit family. On August 19, 1946, 
he married his childhood sweetheart, Helyn Curvy, also from Paterson. 
Together, they raised five children, six grandchildren, and four great-
grandchildren.
  After his career as a player ended, Mr. Doby by no means gave up on 
his commitment to the sport of baseball. Instead, he entered the second 
phase of his career, as a manager. In 1971, he became a full-time 
batting coach for the Montreal Expos. He would later serve as coach for 
the Cleveland Indians; manager of Zulia, a team in Maracaibo, 
Venezuela; and serve in a number of other scouting and coaching 
positions in the Major League. He became manager of the Chicago

[[Page E1366]]

White Sox in 1978, becoming only the second African-American manager in 
Major League history.
  Mr. Doby was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Cleveland Indians 
and Chicago White Sox in 1987. He also received recognition from the 
State of New Jersey, as the State legislature declared July 15, 1987, 
``Larry Doby Day,'' and Mr. Doby was presented with the Governor's 
Award. In addition, Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth appointed Mr. 
Doby to serve on a special committee to help find ways to further 
integrate Major League baseball.
  Despite his great accomplishment, Mr. Doby has remained modest and 
endearing, a true gentleman. Mr. Doby always give thanks to God for 
giving him the talent to help integrate baseball and American society, 
to Mr. Veeck for giving him the opportunity to use that talent, and to 
his wife. Helyn, for holding together their family while he was away.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Mr. Doby's 
family and friends, the Township of Montclair and the city of Paterson 
in recognizing Lawrence Eugene Doby for his outstanding and invaluable 
service to the community, to baseball, and to America.

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