MLB Hall of Famer Larry Doby awarded posthumous Congressional Gold Medal

Sheri Walsh
·6 min read
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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La.,, awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Larry Doby Jr., in honor of his father Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist Larry Doby. Doby, who was the first African American to play in the American league, was posthumously awarded the medal during a ceremony Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
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Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball legend Larry Doby, a World War II veteran who was the first African American to play in the American League and hit a home run in a World Series, was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal on what would have been his 100th birthday.

The Cleveland Indians Hall of Famer was honored Wednesday at a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, where House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., presented Larry Doby's son, Larry Doby Jr., with the medal.

"The United States mint has struck a specific gold medal in his honor," Johnson said as he presented the medal bearing Doby's image.

"This story obviously started 100 years ago today in South Carolina," Doby Jr. said in a speech as he referenced his father's birth, before recounting his father's big move from the Negro leagues into the Major Leagues with the Cleveland Indians, as he became the first Black baseball player to play in the American League in 1947 and the second Black player to play in the MLB after Jackie Robinson.

"Unfortunately, everybody wasn't so happy he got there. And there were people who didn't shake his hand, there were people who gave him the dead fish handshake and there were a few who shook his hand," Doby Jr. said, adding, "He never mentioned the names of the guys who were the bad guys."

Larry Doby (R) shown with fellow former Negro Leagues star Satchel Paige, was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday on what would have been his 100th birthday. Doby, who was a World War II veteran and civil rights activist, was the first African American baseball player to play in the American League. Photo courtesy of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc.

"The names that I heard in my house were the guys who looked out for him. The guys who made what he did possible," Doby Jr. said, as he thanked those who helped his father in Cleveland and in New Jersey. "Yogi Berra was one of the good guys. I heard his name. He treated him nice, with respect and welcomed him to the league, as he transitioned from the Negro leagues to the big leagues."

"My father was humble. He was understated," Doby Jr. said in closing. "It's a wonderful honor. I appreciate it. My family appreciates it."

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Larry Doby Jr., son of Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist Larry Doby -- the first African American to play in the American league -- during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Larry Doby Jr., son of Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist Larry Doby -- the first African American to play in the American league -- during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"A well-deserved birthday gift," the Cleveland Guardians, formerly the Cleveland Indians, wrote Wednesday in a post on X.

"On what would have been his 100th birthday, Larry Doby was awarded today with the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal. Members of Doby's family gathered at the U.S. Capitol to receive the award in his honor and celebrate his accomplishments in the world of baseball and beyond."

Larry Doby Jr. speaks during a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony posthumously honoring his dad, Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist Larry Doby, the first African American to play in the American league, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
Larry Doby Jr. speaks during a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony posthumously honoring his dad, Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist Larry Doby, the first African American to play in the American league, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Major League Baseball on Wednesday called Doby a "pioneer who demonstrated great character and courage throughout his life," in a post on X. "His legacy as a trailblazing player and manager endures to this day, and he will always remain one of the great heroes that our national pastime and nation have ever known."

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., .and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, look on during Wednesday's Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony posthumously honoring Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist Larry Doby, the first African American to play in the American league, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., honored Larry Doby's "unshakable courage" during his speech Wednesday at the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist. Doby, who was a World War II veteran, was the first African American to play in the American league. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., honored Larry Doby's "unshakable courage" during his speech Wednesday at the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist. Doby, who was a World War II veteran, was the first African American to play in the American league. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Before Wednesday's ceremony, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J. -- who led the resolution to award the Congressional Gold Medal which was overwhelmingly passed by Congress -- honored Doby's "unshakeable courage."

"What Larry faced would have broken most men and women: unspeakable racism, threats of violence, and shunning from opponents and even from his teammates," Pascrell Jr. said.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Larry Doby Jr., son of Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist Larry Doby, who was the first African American to play in the American league. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Larry Doby Jr., son of Major League Baseball player and civil rights activist Larry Doby, who was the first African American to play in the American league. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"Larry endured and thrived because of unshakable courage and incredible character. Larry's strength and stardom in Major League Baseball played a pivotal role in helping advance American civil rights forward toward freedom and equality for millions of Black Americans."