Larry Doby
Outfielder · Career Stats, Hall of Fame Bio & Records (1947-1959)
Larry Doby was an outfielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1947 to 1959 for 4 teams, including the Newark Eagles, a span of 13 seasons. In 1,674 career games, he hit .288 with 1,697 hits, 273 home runs, and 1,093 RBI. Larry Doby was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998 and was a 8-time All-Star. His totals include Negro Leagues seasons, which MLB recognized as major league in 2020. His career PIV — Baseball Data Hub's era-adjusted measure of offensive impact — is 28,857.
- AVG (Batting Average):
- Hits divided by at bats. .300 is the traditional mark of an excellent hitter.
- HR (Home Runs):
- Hits on which the batter circled the bases and scored, almost always by clearing the outfield fence.
- RBI (Runs Batted In):
- Runs that scored as a direct result of a batter's plate appearance.
- OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging):
- On-base percentage plus slugging percentage, the quickest single summary of offensive value. .900 or better is star-level.
Data updated
- Position
- Outfielder
- Bats / Throws
- L / R
- Height / Weight
- 6'1" / 180 lb
- Died
- 6/18/2003 in Montclair, NJ, USA
- MLB Debut
- 1947-07-05
- Last Game
- 1959-07-26
- Hall of Fame
- Inducted 1998 (BBWAA)
- Awards
- 8× All-Star
Full name: Lawrence Eugene Doby
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,674 | 5,883 | 1,080 | 1,697 | 277 | 72 | 273 | 1,093 | 64 | 945 | 1,012 | .288 | .389 | .499 | .888 | 28,857 |
Career AVG .288 vs. league average .259 across their career seasons — +11.2% above league average.
Career OBP .389 vs. league average .332 across their career seasons — +17.4% above league average.
Career SLG .499 vs. league average .379 across their career seasons — +31.7% above league average.
Career OPS .888 vs. league average .711 across their career seasons — +25.0% above league average.
Season-by-Season Batting
Click a stat to plot it across every season.
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | Lg AVG | Lg OBP | Lg SLG | Lg OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | NE | NN2 | 23 | 79 | 18 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 1 | .316 | .253 (+25%) | .323 (+15%) | .349 (+30%) | .672 (+23%) | 266.4 |
| 1943 | NE | NN2 | 28 | 103 | 18 | 31 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 5 | 20 | 0 | .301 | .255 (+18%) | .324 (+29%) | .346 (+60%) | .671 (+45%) | 763.6 |
| 1944 | NE | NN2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .200 | — | — | — | — | 0.0 |
| 1946 | NE | NN2 | 59 | 234 | 59 | 85 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 52 | 6 | 29 | 0 | .363 | .256 (+41%) | .328 (+32%) | .358 (+65%) | .687 (+49%) | 1920.2 |
| 1947 | NE | NN2 | 30 | 114 | 25 | 40 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 41 | 3 | 17 | 0 | .351 | .262 (+34%) | .336 (+29%) | .376 (+96%) | .712 (+64%) | 1174.2 |
| 1947 | CLE | AL | 29 | 32 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | .156 | — | — | — | — | 1174.2 |
| 1948 | CLE | AL | 121 | 439 | 83 | 132 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 66 | 9 | 54 | 77 | .301 | .263 (+14%) | .340 (+13%) | .379 (+29%) | .719 (+21%) | 1831.7 |
| 1949 | CLE | AL | 147 | 547 | 106 | 153 | 25 | 3 | 24 | 85 | 10 | 91 | 90 | .280 | .262 (+6%) | .343 (+13%) | .384 (+22%) | .727 (+18%) | 2211.1 |
| 1950 | CLE | AL | 142 | 503 | 110 | 164 | 25 | 5 | 25 | 102 | 8 | 98 | 71 | .326 | .265 (+23%) | .346 (+28%) | .401 (+36%) | .747 (+32%) | 3733.5 |
| 1951 | CLE | AL | 134 | 447 | 84 | 132 | 27 | 5 | 20 | 69 | 4 | 101 | 81 | .295 | .260 (+13%) | .336 (+27%) | .385 (+33%) | .721 (+30%) | 3107.2 |
| 1952 | CLE | AL | 140 | 519 | 104 | 143 | 26 | 8 | 32 | 104 | 5 | 90 | 111 | .276 | .252 (+9%) | .326 (+17%) | .369 (+46%) | .696 (+33%) | 3384.0 |
| 1953 | CLE | AL | 149 | 513 | 92 | 135 | 18 | 5 | 29 | 102 | 3 | 96 | 121 | .263 | .264 (avg) | .335 (+15%) | .397 (+23%) | .733 (+19%) | 2291.5 |
| 1954 | CLE | AL | 153 | 577 | 94 | 157 | 18 | 4 | 32 | 126 | 3 | 85 | 94 | .272 | .261 (+4%) | .333 (+9%) | .390 (+24%) | .723 (+17%) | 2103.2 |
| 1955 | CLE | AL | 131 | 491 | 91 | 143 | 17 | 5 | 26 | 75 | 2 | 61 | 100 | .291 | .258 (+13%) | .332 (+11%) | .393 (+28%) | .726 (+20%) | 2013.0 |
| 1956 | CHA | AL | 140 | 504 | 89 | 135 | 22 | 3 | 24 | 102 | 0 | 102 | 105 | .268 | .258 (+4%) | .331 (+18%) | .397 (+17%) | .728 (+18%) | 2171.7 |
| 1957 | CHA | AL | 119 | 416 | 57 | 120 | 27 | 2 | 14 | 79 | 2 | 56 | 79 | .288 | .257 (+12%) | .323 (+15%) | .391 (+19%) | .715 (+17%) | 1475.6 |
| 1958 | CLE | AL | 89 | 247 | 41 | 70 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 45 | 0 | 26 | 49 | .283 | .257 (+10%) | .324 (+7%) | .394 (+24%) | .719 (+16%) | 728.3 |
| 1959 | DET | AL | 18 | 55 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 9 | .218 | .256 (-15%) | .323 (-4%) | .392 (-21%) | .715 (-13%) | -113.2 |
| 1959 | CHA | AL | 21 | 58 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 13 | .241 | .256 (-6%) | .323 (-18%) | .392 (-25%) | .715 (-22%) | -113.2 |
| Career · 19 seasons | 1,674 | 5,883 | 1,080 | 1,697 | 277 | 72 | 273 | 1,093 | 64 | 945 | 1,012 | .288 | — | — | — | — | 30,123 | ||
Lg columns show the league average for that season, with the player's figure as a percentage above or below it. Career totals the seasons listed above.
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
Playoff Batting by Year
Game Log & Splits
View full game log (1674 games) →Per-game data from Retrosheet (regular season, through 2025).
Batting — Home / Away
| Split | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 826 | 2737 | 529 | 799 | 136 | 499 | .292 |
| Away | 848 | 3091 | 539 | 893 | 141 | 565 | .289 |
Last 10 Games — Batting
| Date | Tm | Opp | Res | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959-07-26 | CHW | BAL | L | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1959-06-24 | CHW | MIN | L | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1959-06-20 | CHW | BOS | L | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1959-06-20 | CHW | BOS | L | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1959-06-17 | CHW | NYY | L | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 1959-06-16 | CHW | NYY | L | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1959-06-14 | CHW | BAL | W | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1959-06-04 | CHW | BAL | W | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1959-06-03 | CHW | BAL | W | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1959-06-02 | CHW | BAL | L | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 3 | 2 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2B | 123 | 119 | 269 | 350 | 38 | 56 |
| 3B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 1452 | 629 | 3644 | 90 | 63 | 27 |
| SS | 10 | 9 | 18 | 33 | 10 | 4 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | NE | 2B | 11 | 11 | 24 | 20 | 2 | 4 |
| 1942 | NE | 3B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1942 | NE | OF | 11 | 11 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1943 | NE | 2B | 19 | 19 | 50 | 68 | 5 | 12 |
| 1943 | NE | SS | 9 | 9 | 16 | 32 | 10 | 4 |
| 1944 | NE | OF | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1946 | NE | 2B | 59 | 59 | 123 | 160 | 17 | 26 |
| 1947 | NE | 2B | 30 | 30 | 71 | 99 | 14 | 14 |
| 1947 | CLE | 1B | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1947 | CLE | 2B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1947 | CLE | SS | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1948 | CLE | OF | 114 | 0 | 287 | 12 | 14 | 3 |
| 1949 | CLE | OF | 147 | 0 | 355 | 7 | 9 | 2 |
| 1950 | CLE | OF | 140 | 0 | 367 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 1951 | CLE | OF | 132 | 0 | 321 | 12 | 8 | 3 |
| 1952 | CLE | OF | 136 | 0 | 398 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
| 1953 | CLE | OF | 146 | 0 | 354 | 10 | 6 | 3 |
| 1954 | CLE | OF | 153 | 153 | 411 | 14 | 2 | 6 |
| 1955 | CLE | OF | 129 | 129 | 313 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 1956 | CHA | OF | 137 | 136 | 371 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 1957 | CHA | OF | 110 | 109 | 255 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 1958 | CLE | OF | 68 | 64 | 141 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1959 | DET | OF | 16 | 16 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1959 | CHA | 1B | 2 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 1959 | CHA | OF | 12 | 10 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
Circle size = games played at each position.
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 3 |
| Second Base | 123 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Shortstop | 10 |
| Left Field | 22 |
| Center Field | 1342 |
| Right Field | 105 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | TSN All-Star | OF |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 2nd | 210.0 | 336 | 5 |
| 1952 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 12th | 46.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1950 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 8th | 57.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1948 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 29th | 3.0 | 336 | 0 |
Most Similar Players
Career comps based on counting + rate stats and primary position. Score is relative — closest peer anchors at ~98%.
Larry Doby (highlighted) compared to peers across the same era.
Compare Larry Doby
Larry Doby: the record in brief
The rows for Larry Doby start in 1942, in the Negro Leagues, well before the July 5, 1947 debut listed in the bio, and the final game as July 26, 1959. By club, Doby's seasons break down as the Newark Eagles (1942 through 1947), the Cleveland Indians (1947 through 1958), the Chicago White Sox (1956 through 1959), and the Detroit Tigers (1959). At 6'1" and 180 pounds, Doby is listed as an outfielder. The bio says Doby hit left-handed while throwing right-handed. The recorded birth is December 13, 1923, in Camden, SC, USA. Doby died on June 18, 2003, in Montclair, NJ, USA. The given name on file is Lawrence Eugene Doby.
Across 1,674 games at the plate, Doby's career line reads 1,697 hits in 5,883 at bats for a .288 average, along with 273 home runs, 1,093 runs batted in, and 64 stolen bases. Doby's career OPS of .888 combines a .389 on-base mark with .499 slugging.
Frequently Asked Questions about Larry Doby
- What years did Larry Doby play?
- Larry Doby played in Major League Baseball from 1947 to 1959.
- Was Larry Doby a pitcher?
- No. Larry Doby was a position player (Outfielder).
- How many home runs did Larry Doby hit?
- Larry Doby hit 273 career home runs with 1,697 hits.
- Is Larry Doby in the Hall of Fame?
- Yes. Larry Doby was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.
- What teams did Larry Doby play for?
- Larry Doby played for 4 teams: the Newark Eagles (1942–1944, 1946–1947), the Cleveland Indians (1947–1955, 1958), the Chicago White Sox (1956–1957, 1959), and the Detroit Tigers (1959).
- Did Larry Doby win an MVP award?
- No. Larry Doby did not win the MVP award.
- What awards did Larry Doby win?
- Larry Doby was selected to 8 All-Star Games.
- What were Larry Doby's career stats?
- In 1,674 games, Larry Doby had 1,697 hits, 273 home runs, 1,093 RBI, 1,080 runs, and 64 stolen bases, with a .288 batting average.
- What position did Larry Doby play?
- Larry Doby played primarily as an outfielder, the position where he appeared in the most games.
- How tall was Larry Doby and how much did he weigh?
- Larry Doby was listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 180 pounds.
- How many home runs did Larry Doby hit each season?
- Larry Doby's home runs by season: 1 in 1942, 4 in 1943, 0 in 1944, 7 in 1946, 8 in 1947, 14 in 1948, 24 in 1949, 25 in 1950, 20 in 1951, 32 in 1952, 29 in 1953, 32 in 1954, 26 in 1955, 24 in 1956, 14 in 1957, 13 in 1958, and 0 in 1959. His most in one season was 32, in 1952 and 1954.
- What was Larry Doby's career batting average?
- Larry Doby batted .288 over his career, with 1,697 hits in 5,883 at bats.
- How many RBI did Larry Doby have?
- Larry Doby drove in 1,093 runs in his career.
- How many All-Star Games did Larry Doby make?
- Larry Doby was selected to 8 All-Star Games.