PATERSON – Silk City will honor an historic American with deep local roots next month when they unveil a wholly renovated Larry Doby Field in Eastside Park.
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh was visibly excited this week as he stood near first base and surveyed the project in its incipient stage of completion. “We’re saying to whomever is a fan of Larry Doby, loves baseball and history, that his hometown does not forget who he was, what he did, and the impact that he had,” Sayegh told InsiderNJ.
The late Larry Doby of Paterson on July 5, 1947, became the first African American ballplayer to play in the American League when he joined the Cleveland Indians organization, joining fellow history-maker Jackie Robinson. Robinson made history that same year in April as the first African American to break the color barrier as a big-league ballplayer in the National League with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
A graduate of Eastside High School, U.S. Navy veteran and college grad, the 23-year-old Doby was playing for the Newark Eagles when he answered the call and went to the Indians, thereby becoming the first player in history to go directly to the majors from the Negro leagues.
Now, “We are going to pay proper tribute to a hometown hero on a field where Eastside High School can score more victories,” Mayor Sayegh told InsiderNJ.
As part of the city’s $3 million refurbishment project, Larry Doby Field will include new dugouts, lights, benches, and the great player’s name and Number 14 emblazoned on the field. Mayor Sayegh said he has tentatively scheduled an April 28th ribbon-cutting at the field in Paterson’s sprawling Eastside Park to mark the occasion. Larry Doby’s son, Larry Doby, Jr., has accepted an invitation to attend the event.
Mayor Sayegh was working as a local reporter when he interviewed Larry Doby, referred to – especially here – as “Larry Legend”, on June 1, 2002 at the field’s initial unveiling and dedication ceremony. Mr. Doby died the following year at the age of 79.
The mayor told InsiderNJ that in the writeup accompanying Larry Doby’s Yearbook photo, the blurb notes that the local grad who would go on to make history liked “basketball and football.” It made no mention of baseball.
Since becoming mayor in 2018, Sayegh has prioritized the revitalization of Paterson’s baseball past, present, and future.
Built in the Great Depression above the Great Falls, opened in 1932 and condemned in 1997, Hinchliffe Stadium served as the home of two Negro League Baseball Teams before the integration of Major League Baseball.
The stadium holds the memories of 20 Hall of Fame Baseball Players, including the great Doby of Eastside High School, the first African-American ballplayer in the American League, just 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson joined the National League.
A glorious testament to Paterson’s vitality and its unique contribution to American history, Hinchliffe reopened in 2023. Last month, “North Jersey Pro Soccer announced the launch of men’s and women’s teams that will compete in the United Soccer League and play games in the 93-year-old New Jersey stadium.” Of course, Hinchliffe Stadium continues to serve as homebase for the New Jersey Jackals minor league baseball team and for local high school players, and as home of the Charles J. Muth Museum, a living chronicle of defiance to segregation by baseball heroes, Larry Doby chief among them.
Larry Doby Field in Paterson, New Jersey is currently undergoing a full-scale renovation to improve the facilities and enhance the overall experience for players and spectators alike. The project, which began earlier this year, is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.
The renovation of Larry Doby Field is part of a larger effort to revitalize the park and make it a more inviting and functional space for the community. The upgrades include new dugouts, bleachers, fencing, and lighting, as well as improvements to the playing surface and drainage system.
One of the most significant changes being made to the field is the installation of a new irrigation system, which will help ensure that the grass stays green and healthy throughout the season. This will not only improve the playing conditions for athletes but also enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the park.
In addition to the physical improvements being made to the field, there are also plans to update the concession stand and restroom facilities, as well as add new signage and landscaping to enhance the overall look of the park.
The renovation of Larry Doby Field is being funded through a combination of public and private sources, including grants from the city of Paterson and donations from local businesses and community members. The project is being overseen by a team of experienced contractors and designers who are working diligently to ensure that the renovations are completed on time and within budget.
Once the renovation is complete, Larry Doby Field is expected to become a premier destination for youth sports in Paterson, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for athletes of all ages to come together and compete. The improvements being made to the field will not only benefit the players and spectators who use it but also help to strengthen the sense of community in the area.
Overall, the renovation of Larry Doby Field is a positive development for the city of Paterson and its residents. By investing in the park and making it a more attractive and functional space, the city is demonstrating its commitment to providing quality recreational opportunities for its residents and enhancing the overall quality of life in the community.
