Cleveland Indians All-Time Top 20 Hitters in Franchise History

#4: Larry Doby

Although Jackie Robinson gets all of the recognition, Larry Doby was instrumental in breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, too. Doby was the first African-American player to debut in the American League, and he did so in July of 1947 with the Cleveland Indians.

Doby was a seven-time All-Star, selected in each season from 1949 to 1955 during his time with the Indians. He led the AL in home runs twice – in 1952 and 1954 – and led the league in RBIs once in 1954. Although his major league career only spanned 13 seasons thanks to segregation, Doby was in the top-ten in WAR eight times, and led the league in OPS in 1950.

It’s hard to speak of Doby in terms of pure hitting ability – his character as someone who fought racism and hatred without receiving the attention and recognition of Robinson is far more interesting and important. However, from a purely numbers standpoint, Doby is one of the best players in the game to pick up a bat, and had he not spent the earliest parts of his career in the Negro League, he might easily have been in the 3000 hits club, or hit any number of other memorable milestones.

As it stands, Doby’s 253 home runs make him one of the best power hitters of his era, and he was traded multiple times by teams hoping to capitalize on his strength. Doby’s number 14 was retired by the Indians as a tribute to both his talent and the sacrifices he made, and he was finally elected into the Hall of Fame in 1998 by the Veteran’s Committee. The fact that it took so long to add him to the Hall of Fame is a disgrace to the game, because he is a very deserving player who changed the game of baseball as fans today know it.

Next: Top 20 Hitters: #3