The Spirit of '48



It's been 68 years since the Indians were World Series champs. Hall of Famer pitchers Bob Feller and Bob Lemon anchored a terrific staff. Larry Doby -- another Cooperstown inductee --  was their regular centerfielder, batting .318 in their six-game win over the Boston Braves.

One of baseball's least publicized trailblazers, the New Jersey product was not just a terrific player -- a seven-time All Star and two-time AL home run champ are just the start -- he's also he player who broke the color barrier in the American League, thanks to the wisdom of Hall of Fame owner Bill Veeck. 

But did you realize that Larry and Cleveland teammate Satchell Paige also made history as the first two black players on a World Series winner (keep in mind, Jackie Robinson's only ring with the Dodgers came in 1955).

Doby, who passed away in 2003, is one of several Indians honored with a statue outside Progressive Field. His retired #14 is one those proudly displayed along the top of the ballpark -- fittingly, next to Jackie's plaque.

Larry's story helped inspire Bill Madden's outstanding book 1954. It's still available online and well worth reading this off-season.
A tip of the hat to Corey Kluber for his record-setting start, striking out eight batters in the first three innings and putting the Cubs bats on ice for the night, as the Indians won the opener.

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