Hall of Famer Larry Doby was born this day in 1923 in Camden, SC. Doby broke the color barrier in the American League on July 5, 1947, just 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson debuted in the National League. He faced similar vitriol and segregation but often received less media attention than Robinson. He was the first player to go directly from the Negro Leagues (Newark Eagles) to the Majors without playing in the minor leagues first. He became the first African American player to hit a home run in a World Series game (Game 4 against the Boston Braves). He and Satchel Paige were the first African American players to win a World Series ring (1948 Indians). He was a 7-time All-Star selection. He led the American League in home runs twice (1952 and 1954) and RBI once (1954). He was inducted into Cooperstown in 1998 by the Veterans Committee.
Walter Cronkite insisted Chuck Yeager come on his broadcast for the shuttle landing. Chuck resisted but ultimately when Walter asked him, "Did you want to be an astronaut?" Chuck Yeager answered: "Nah. I didn't want to wipe the monkey crap off the seat before I sat down!" π·π· #ChuckYeager #monkeys #astronaut @elonmusk
Clay Matthews was the original ironman.
19 NFL seasons. 1,500+ tackles. Browns heart & soul.
He brought the pain β and the passion.
Put this man in the Hall of Fame already. π£
@deanofsports I drove through Cleveland the evening WSR was at Municipal Stadium. Westbound 90 had lanes and exits plugged with abandoned cars all around the Stadium.