[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 91 (Thursday, June 19, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          HONORING LARRY DOBY

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise in sorrow because baseball lost 
a legend, African Americans lost a pioneer, and I lost a good friend. I 
went to high school with Larry Doby at Eastside High School in 
Paterson, NJ, and watched as he amassed records that were beyond 
comprehension for most people.
  He had four All-State letters. He played basketball, baseball, 
football, and he ran track well enough to earn an All-State letter in a 
big State like New Jersey, with that population. He was not only an 
exciting player to watch on the field, he was a good man. His five 
children and the whole country will miss him greatly.
  Few people realize that Larry began his groundbreaking athletic 
career in 1943 as the first African-American to play in the American 
Basketball League for the Paterson Panthers. He then moved on to 
baseball, playing for the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League. 
After returning from his service in the Navy for two years, Larry hit 
.414 with 14 home runs in his final season in Newark, NJ.
  It was on July 5, 1947, just 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson broke the 
color barrier in major league baseball, that Larry Doby signed a 
contract with the Cleveland Indians of the American League. He was the 
first African-American player in the American League.
  Larry had no intention or desire to become an important part of 
history. When Indians owner Bill Veeck predicted to Larry that he would 
``be part of history,'' Larry replied, ``I had no notions about that. I 
just wanted to play baseball.''
  And play baseball he did, and quite well. Larry was an All-Star 7 
times in his 13-year career, and he helped the Indians win the World 
Series in 1948 with a home run in Game 4. He hit at least 20 home runs 
in 8 straight seasons.
  Larry went on to become the second African-American manager of a 
major league team taking the helm of the Chicago White Sox in 1978. He 
was also the director of community relations for the New Jersey Nets in 
the late 1970s, encouraging the development of youth programs in urban 
New Jersey.
  It was not easy for Larry, few things this important are. He was 
harassed by opposing players and fans. He was forced to eat in separate 
restaurants, to sleep in separate hotels. Some of his own teammates 
would not even shake his hand. But he pressed on, and we're a better 
country for it.
  Larry said it best in a speech after his career had ended. He said:

       We can see that baseball helped make this a better country. 
     We hope baseball has given (children) some idea of what it is 
     to live together and how you can get along, whether you be 
     black or white.

  When historians take note of the great contributions made by citizens 
of the State of New Jersey, certainly the name of Larry Doby should be 
included. He is at the top of that long list in my mind.
  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, let me congratulate my colleague from New 
Jersey for bringing up this discussion of Larry Doby, who is really a 
national hero. I commend anyone to read the reports in today's 
newspapers about his career and the evolution of how African Americans 
ascended to the role they rightfully should have received in American 
baseball and American life in general. He was a hero to all of us. I am 
thankful he was remembered by my senior colleague.

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