Doby Passes Another Barrier

More than a half-century ago, Larry Doby walked into a Cleveland clubhouse where some teammates would not even shake his hand.

On Tuesday, he got a much warmer welcome from the Hall of Fame.

Doby, 73, the first black player in the American League, was an easy choice as the Veterans Committee voted in its full limit of four new members.

Former American League president Lee MacPhail, Negro Leagues star “Bullet” Joe Rogan and turn-of-the-century shortstop “Gorgeous” George Davis also were elected.

Induction ceremonies will be July 26 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Don Sutton will be enshrined, too, having been chosen by the Baseball Writers Association of America in January.

“You look back 51 years ago and you never thought this type of situation would come about,” Doby said.

“You think about some of the changes that have happened in baseball,” he said. “It’s a feeling of struggle in the past. It’s a feeling of a certain amount of relief. It’s a great feeling.”

Doby, a seven-time All-Star outfielder, is undergoing chemotherapy for a cancerous kidney that was removed in October. He is currently a special assistant to AL president Gene Budig.

The 13-man Veterans panel, which included Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Yogi Berra, does not announce its vote totals. It took 75% for election, meaning 10 votes, and the choice of Doby was described by one committee member as a simple one.

MacPhail, 80, was general manager of the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles, and was the AL president from 1974-83.

Rogan, who died in 1967, pitched and played infield and outfield for the Kansas City Monarchs from 1920 to 1938. He had a 113-45 record and a .343 batting average.

Davis, who died in 1940, led the National League with 134 RBIs for the New York Giants in 1897.

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Hall of Fame

A look at the newest members of baseball’s Hall of Fame:

* Larry Doby--Broke the American League color barrier by joining the Cleveland Indians 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. Doby was also a seven-time all-star.

* Lee MacPhail--General manager of the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles and was the American League president from 1974-83.

* Joe Rogan--Pitched and played infield and outfield for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1938. He had a 113-45 record as a pitcher and a .343 batting average.

* George Davis--Shortstop who led the National League with 134 RBIs for the New York Giants in 1897. He played for four teams during 20 seasons, including the 1906 White Sox in the World Series, and hit .295.

Among those considered by the Veterans Committee for the Hall of Fame but not selected: former manager Dick Williams, former commissioner Bowie Kuhn and former players Bill Mazeroski, Dom DiMaggio and Orlando Cepeda.