Larry Doby was the second Black player to play in Major League Baseball and first in the American League. He debuted for the Cleveland Indians on July 5, 1947, 81 days after Jackie Robinson’s debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the National League. Doby was 23 years old at the time, five years younger than Robinson.

While Doby endured many of the same indignities as Robinson, Doby has received little acclaim. It's time for MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to designate each July 5 as “Larry Doby Day.” On that day, the Cleveland Guardians and all of Major League Baseball should wear Larry's #14.

Here are a few of Larry Doby's achievements:

• Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame (July 26, 1998)
• Nine-time All-Star
• 1948 World Series champion