On July 5, 1947, Larry Doby made his Major League debut with Cleveland and broke the color barrier in the American League. Doby’s presence in the lineup made history in baseball and was instrumental in Cleveland’s 1948 World Series title. In the Majors, Doby was a seven-time All-Star and two-time AL home run leader.

For a deeper look into Larry Doby’s debut, click here for Anthony Castrovince’s article in the 2022 Cleveland Guardians Yearbook.

The Guardians are proud to celebrate the legacy of Larry Doby on Sunday, July 5, 2026 – 79 years after his Major League Debut. Click here to learn more about our Black Excellence Celebration, presented by Nestlé.