Son Of Montclair MLB Trailblazer Joins Yogi Berra Museum Board

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The son of a late, history-making Hall of Fame baseball great has joined the board of the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center.

Larry Doby Jr., the son of Larry Doby, agreed to join the museum’s board on the 75th anniversary of the day his father broke baseball’s color barrier in the American League.

The late Doby – who lived in Montclair after finishing his playing career – was the second such trailblazer behind Jackie Robinson, who broke the barrier in the National League. He began his professional baseball career in the Negro leagues, debuting with the Cleveland Indians on July 5, 1947.

Larry Doby died in 2003, but is still remembered with fondness and awe in Montclair. Read More: Montclair's Own: Baseball Legend Larry Doby Nominated For Congressional Medal

“I would like to join the group, learn and contribute to the museum's vision of reaching and teaching youth through sport,” said Doby Jr., who recently appeared in the feature-length documentary, “It Ain’t Over,” which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival this past June.

“I think it will be a great experience,” he added.

The museum’s executive director Eve Schaenen said that the Doby’s raised their family in Montclair – including their son. The family was “very close” to another Montclair resident and baseball great, Yogi Berra, as well as his wife, Carmen.

The connection between Larry Jr. and the museum “feels almost familial,” Schaenen said.

“Larry Jr. shares his father’s belief in equity, diversity and giving back to the community,” Schaenen said. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to the museum’s board.”

Want to learn more about Doby and his trailblazing journey in the Major Leagues? The museum offers a popular education field trip program about baseball’s Negro Leagues that features the story of Doby, along with other legendary athletes. Learn more at the museum’s website.

LARRY DOBY: 'SAME INDIGNITIES, LESS MEDIA ATTENTION'

The museum posted a message about Doby and his baseball career on Tuesday. Its staff wrote:

"On July 5, 1947, Larry Doby debuted for the Cleveland Indians, breaking baseball's color barrier for the American League -- just three months after Jackie Robinson made history with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Doby started his professional career in 1942 playing in the Negro Leagues with the Newark Eagles, pausing his career to serve in the US Navy during WWII. In 1946, he helped lead the Eagles to the Negro League World Series championship. Doby suffered the same indignities as Jackie Robinson, but his struggles didn't receive the media attention Robinson’s did. Whether it was being forced to stay in separate hotels or eat in separate restaurants on the road, or not being accepted by some of his teammates, Doby persevered. And he excelled. During his time with the Indians, Doby became a 7x All-Star and 1948 World Series champion. His #14 was retired in Cleveland, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998."

"The museum is proud to honor Larry Doby on this day, and every day," staff concluded.

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