Where Is The Love?

Today is Jackie Robinson's birthday. He would have been 87. We all know how important Jackie Robinson is to baseball. In 1947, Jackie became the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues and changed the face of the game forever. His number 42 is the only uniform number retired by Major League Baseball, though one active player still dons the uniform today, and that as you should know if you're a Yankee fan, is Mariano Rivera (he's allowed to since he was wearing it when the number was retired). He opened the door for fellow Negro Leaguers to play in the majors and also led the Dodgers to six World Series in his 10 seasons. He was a phenomenal player and I would have loved to see him play. So Happy Birthday Jackie!!
Not to take anything away from Jackie Robinson, but there is another player who is equally deserving of being recognized for helping to integrate baseball in breaking the color barrier, and that is Larry Doby. On July 5, 1947, 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson made his debut with the Dodgers, Larry Doby became the first African-American to play baseball in the American League. Rarely do you hear his name mentioned when the topic is Jackie Robinson or breaking baseball's color barrier. Larry Doby had to endure the same problems as Jackie Robinson when he began his career with the Indians. He played his entire career, and spent much of his life after baseball, without the attention and support bestowed upon Jackie Robinson. What Larry Doby did for baseball is equally as important as what Jackie Robinson did, and he deserves to be recognized for it. Perhaps Major League Baseball should retire his uniform number of 14. It would only be fitting. Unfortunately, that likely won't happen. So next time you're at Cooperstown, please make sure to take special notice of Larry Doby's plaque and achievements. He's an important part of baseball's history and he has been overlooked for far too long.
Thanks for reading.
J