Larry Doby

Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians becomes the first African-American to play in an American League game

    On July 5, 1947, Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians, Striking out as a pinch hitter in an Indians 6 – 5 loss to the White Sox, against Chicago hurler Earl Harrist. 22-year old Larry Doby becomes the first black to appear in the American League. The former Newark Eagles standout will play…

Larry Doby
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Larry Doby Debuts and breaks color barrier in American League

On July 3, 1947, Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck purchases the contract of outfielder Larry Doby from the Newark Eagles of the Negro American League. Doby will play in his first game two days later, becoming the first African-American player in American League history. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

bob feller 1936

At Cleveland Stadium, Bob Feller fires his second one-hitter in 10 days, stopping the Boston Red Sox, 2 – 0

At Cleveland Stadium, Bob Feller fires his second one-hitter in 10 days, stopping the Boston Red Sox, 2 – 0, while striking out 10. Johnny Pesky has the only hit for Boston. Joe Gordon’s home run off Dave Ferriss is the only run Feller needs.

For the first time, the Cleveland Indians will play all their games at Cleveland Stadium. The Indians abandon League Park, where most weekday games have been played since Cleveland Stadium opened. New Cleveland owner Bill Veeck installs an inner fence to cut power alleys from 435 to 365 feet at Municipal Stadium.

For the first time, the Cleveland Indians will play all their games at Cleveland Stadium. The Indians abandon League Park, where most weekday games have been played since Cleveland Stadium opened. New Cleveland owner Bill Veeck installs an inner fence to cut power alleys from 435 to 365 feet at Municipal Stadium.

For the first time, the Cleveland Indians will play all their games at Cleveland Stadium. The Indians abandon League Park, where most weekday games have been played since Cleveland Stadium opened. New Cleveland owner Bill Veeck installs an inner fence to cut power alleys from 435 to 365 feet at Municipal Stadium.

Cleveland Indians manager Lou Boudreau orders Jackie Price off the train at San Diego after Price lets loose two five-foot long snakes on the trip from Los Angeles. A coach full of women returning from the American Bowling Congress are extremely upset by the prank. After Indians owner Bill Veeck says “either the snakes go or Price goes,” the 35-year-old infielder’s days are numbered.

Cleveland Indians manager Lou Boudreau orders Jackie Price off the train at San Diego after Price lets loose two five-foot long snakes on the trip from Los Angeles. A coach full of women returning from the American Bowling Congress are extremely upset by the prank. After Indians owner Bill Veeck says “either the snakes go or Price goes,” the 35-year-old infielder’s days are numbered.

1947 – Cleveland Indians manager Lou Boudreau orders Jackie Price off the train at San Diego after Price lets loose two five-foot long snakes on the trip from Los Angeles. A coach full of women returning from the American Bowling Congress are extremely upset by the prank. After Indians owner Bill Veeck says “either the snakes go or Price goes,” the 35-year-old infielder’s days are numbered.

Larry Doby signs his first contract with Bill Veeck
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Bill Veeck, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, sets up a spring training camp there for the Cleveland Indians after Larry Doby signing

In anticipation of the signing of the team’s first black players, Bill Veeck, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, sets up a spring training camp there for the Cleveland Indians. Arizona is chosen because of its relatively tolerant racial climate. During the season, Veeck will sign the American League’s first black player, Larry Doby, who will train at the camp. The New York Giants also set up camp in Arizona, while the Brooklyn Dodgers move their training camp from Florida to Havana, Cuba.

Al Lopez

The Indians send young OF Gene Woodling to Pittsburgh for veteran receiver Al Lopez

1946 – The Indians send young OF Gene Woodling to Pittsburgh for veteran receiver Al Lopez. Lopez will play just 61 games next season‚ before taking over as manager of Indianapolis for three seasons. He will return to skipper the Indians in 1951.

A bloop single in the 7th inning by former battery-mate Frankie Hayes deprives Bob Feller of a no-hitter against the White Sox

A bloop single in the 7th inning by former battery-mate Frankie Hayes deprives Bob Feller of a no-hitter against the White Sox

A bloop single in the 7th inning by former battery-mate Frankie Hayes deprives Bob Feller of a no-hitter against the White Sox. Hayes was traded by Cleveland in June‚ just weeks after hitting a homer in Feller’s April 30thno-hitter. It is the 8th one-hitter of Feller’s career. His 10 games of less than 2 hits betters Addie Joss’s old mark of 9.