Jackie Robinson played in the NL and that is were it should be retired. The AL should have Larry Doby's number retired. Doby played in the AL 2 months after Jackie started. Doby faced the very same things that Jackie did in the same year. I am saying all this due to this question being asked earlier in the day hoping some of those people we see this.
2007-07-03 17:35:21 · 6 answers · asked by siberian_wolf67 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Much the same reason that Neil Armstrong's quote is remembered worldwide, but not so much Buzz Aldrin's a few minutes later.
Being second is good, but being first is Historic.
Aldrin: "That might be a small step for Neil, but it's a pretty big step for a little guy like me" or something to that effect.
2007-07-03 17:47:20 · answer #1 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think this is nescessary. Jackie was the first to do it and deserves the honor that has been bestowed on him. I'm not trying to discredit what Larry Doby did an anyway, but to take away a part of the honor given to Jackie just doesn't seem right to me. If you want to honor Doby too I don't have a problem with that, but to seperate between the leagues as you suggest just doesn't make sense to me. Both men had a profound impact on the game, but you can take away the fact that Jackie was the first to do it in the modern era.
2007-07-03 17:47:25 · answer #2 · answered by ajn4664_ksu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you answered your own question...I agree 100 %. Doby was the first black player in the American League (Cleveland Indians). For sure it was not just National League fans who made hateful remarks and actions against a black player. The same mindset was directed at blacks by American League fans. (the Boston Red Sox was the last Major League team to bring in a black player) Doby was a fine outfielder and could hit in spite of the pressure. He was just as much a ground breaker as Robinson and should be elected. I think he will be for that reason. After all, they finally have acknowledged the great black players from the old ***** Leagues like Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, etc.
2007-07-03 17:48:40 · answer #3 · answered by Willie B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't even think it was 2 month i think it was 2 weeks later. But i agree with you have jackie's # in the Nl parks and Doby's in the AL parks or both in all parks.
2007-07-03 18:57:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jackie's debut was April 15th, 1947. He was in 151 games with 590 at-bats. Won the Rookie of the Year award and finished 5th in NL MVP balloting.
Doby's debut was July 5th and he played, on defense, in only 6 games all season. Most of his 29 games and 32 at-bats were as a pinch hitter that year.
2007-07-03 23:27:52 · answer #5 · answered by harmonv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right. The number should be retired. Not only was Doby the second black to break the color barrier as a player, he was also the second black manager as well. 2nd for both -- good for retiring the number. Both were difficult barries to break.
2007-07-04 02:02:54 · answer #6 · answered by Sarrafzedehkhoee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋