Indians unveil Larry Doby statue

CLEVELAND (AP) Larry Doby's legacy as a baseball player and pioneer has a permanent home.

The Cleveland Indians unveiled a bronze statue of Doby, the first African-American player in the American League, before Saturday night's game against the Chicago White Sox.

Doby's son, Larry Jr., unveiled the statue, which stands outside Progressive Field and depicts his father completing his swing after hitting the ball.

Several other members of Doby's family, Indians owner Paul Dolan, Jim ''Mudcat'' Grant - Doby's roommate with the Indians - were among those on hand for the ceremony.

Doby's first game was July 5, 1947, just months after Jackie Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Doby was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 and died in 2003.

Doby's No. 14 was retired by the Indians in 1994. His statue stands alongside those of Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller and first baseman Jim Thome.