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Guardians unveil 'barrier breakers' mural to celebrate Larry Doby 75th anniversary

ryan lewis, akron beacon journal
·3 min read
Cleveland Guardians 'barrier breakers' mural by Glen Infante outside of Progressive Field
Cleveland Guardians 'barrier breakers' mural by Glen Infante outside of Progressive Field

A new mural adorns the outside of Progressive Field, near the left field gate and facing the Gateway Plaza, one that pays tribute to those who broke barriers in the game of baseball as a member of Cleveland's franchise.

Larry Doby is shown in this March 12, 1953 file photo.
Larry Doby is shown in this March 12, 1953 file photo.

The mural depicts some of Cleveland baseball's greats, including Larry Doby, Frank Robinson and Satchel Paige, three 'barrier breakers' in baseball's history who are all in the Hall of Fame. The mural was commissioned to local artist Glen Infante and unveiled as part of the 75th anniversary celebration of Doby breaking the color barrier in the American League.

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Doby joined Cleveland on July 5, 1947, a few months after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the National League and Major League Baseball as a whole. Doby was a seven-time All-Star with Cleveland, finished as the MVP runner-up in 1954 and helped to lead Cleveland to the 1948 World Series title, the franchise's last.

But it was what he did for the game of baseball with an immense measure of courage and toughness that has stood the test of time. There are those in Cleveland who have been adamant that Doby's place in baseball history shouldn't be swept under the rug.

Manager Lou Boudreau and Larry Doby stand in the dugout at Comiskey Park in Chicago on July 5, 1947, the day Doby became the first black player in the American League.
Manager Lou Boudreau and Larry Doby stand in the dugout at Comiskey Park in Chicago on July 5, 1947, the day Doby became the first black player in the American League.
Larry Doby, the first Black player in the American League, poses proudly in his Cleveland uniform in the dugout in Comiskey Park in Chicago, Ill., on July 5, 1947.
Larry Doby, the first Black player in the American League, poses proudly in his Cleveland uniform in the dugout in Comiskey Park in Chicago, Ill., on July 5, 1947.

"People here with our ballclub have tried really diligently to not allow that to happen," said manager Terry Francona. "I'm going to go out on a limb and say they weren't throwing too many parades for Larry [when he debuted]."

Doby also served in the United States Navy during World War II. As Francona has said in the past, it's a good thing to celebrate Doby's accomplishments. But it's an unfortunate truth that there was a time in the country's history where that wasn't as common as today.

"Then you look at some of the history. Here's a guy that served his country in the Navy, then comes home and gets told he can't play. That is like just brutal. It just makes my stomach turn," Francona said. "I'm glad that we're celebrating his ability to be that tough and to absorb everything that I'm sure he had to, and stuff that we don't know he had to. But I just want to make sure that we're not celebrating the fact that we're treating people equal. That should be a given."

Cleveland player-manager Frank Robinson talks with players before the start of their game with the California Angels, May 26, 1975, in Anaheim, Calif. On June 6, 1975, Robinson hit two three-run homers in a 7-5 win over the Texas Rangers.
Cleveland player-manager Frank Robinson talks with players before the start of their game with the California Angels, May 26, 1975, in Anaheim, Calif. On June 6, 1975, Robinson hit two three-run homers in a 7-5 win over the Texas Rangers.
Leroy "Satchel" Paige, pitcher for Cleveland, is shown in a posed pitching photo taken on July 21, 1948. (AP Photo/Lindsay)
Leroy "Satchel" Paige, pitcher for Cleveland, is shown in a posed pitching photo taken on July 21, 1948. (AP Photo/Lindsay)

In 1975, Robinson became the first Black manager in Major League Baseball history when he took over the helm of Cleveland's club. Robinson was a two-time MVP (including a triple crown season), a two-time World Series champ and a 14-time All-Star.

Paige, the legendary ageless pitcher who nearly threw into his 60s, joined Cleveland in 1948. There are some who believe he might have broken the color barrier before Robinson in a less official stance, but regardless, Paige has his place in history. Paige was an eight-time All-Star, a pitching triple crown winner and a two-time World Series champ.

Doby's son, Larry Doby Jr., threw out the first pitch prior to the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with the New York Yankees.

On the day of their induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., the trio of (from left) Lee MacPhail Jr., Don Sutton and Larry Doby hold their plaques .
On the day of their induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., the trio of (from left) Lee MacPhail Jr., Don Sutton and Larry Doby hold their plaques .

Emmanuel Clase named AL Reliever of the Month

Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was named the American League Reliever of the Month for June.

Clase was nearly perfect for the Guardians bullpen in the month of June, tossing 15 scoreless innings with seven hits allowed and 16 strikeouts en route to 11 saves.

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Larry Doby 75th anniversary celebrated by Guardians with mural