MLB Franchise Four – Biggest Snubs for Each Team
Cleveland Indians – Larry Doby
Franchise Four: Bob Feller, Tris Speaker, Omar Vizquel, Jim Thome
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, becoming the first African-American player to play Major League Baseball. A little less than two months later, Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians became the second, and the first in the American League. Every year, we celebrate the achievements of Jackie Robinson, but those of Larry Doby are forgotten.
It appears they were even forgotten among the fans of the Indians.
Like Robinson, Doby was more than just a symbol of change. He would play 10 seasons for Cleveland, hitting .283/.386/.500 with 215 home runs, and 776 RBI. In that time he was a seven-time All-Star in center field and was the runner-up in the 1954 American League MVP vote. To this day, he ranks 6th on the team’s all times list in WAR and home runs, and 9th in wRC+. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998 by the Veterans Committee.
Needless to say, his contribution to the Indians, and baseball as a whole, was more deserving of the honor than an omission.
Next: Mariners - Randy Johnson