Writers Bloc: Remembering Larry Doby

Law: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/keith-law/post?id=840&addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">Expectations for Wheeler, Myers and Cole
Szymborski: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9398460/calculating-clayton-kershaw-contract-actually-worth-mlb?addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">Calculating Kershaw's worth
MLB Draft: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb-draft/post?id=1049&addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">Rodon, Turner could make history
Olney: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/buster-olney/post/_/id/2139?addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">New low for A's ballpark
Swydan: <a name="&amp;lpos=story_in" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9394977/surging-san-diego-padres-win-national-league-west-mlb?addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx">San Diego's sneaky-deep lineup

Updated: June 20, 2003, 9:34 AM ET

Larry Doby, who passed away on Wednesday in New Jersey after a long illness, is eulogized by a number of writers today. Kevin B. Blackstone of the Dallas Morning News describes how is immersion in big league ball was no easier than was Jackie Robinson's but how he never got the same glory being the second man in. Dave Anderson of the New York Times recalls his baseball career but also spends time on his post-playing days. Joey Johnston of the Tampa Tribune interviews local resident 94-year old Al Lopez about his memories of Doby's days with the Indians. Lopez was first a teammate and then the manager of Doby. Bill Madden of the New York Daily News discusses Doby with his long-time friend and neighbor, Yogi Berra. A gallery in Yogi's Montclair, New Jersey baseball museum is dedicated to Doby and Negro League baseball. Jerry Izenberg of the Newark Star-Ledger talks to Mike Veeck -- son of baseball pioneer Bill about his relationship with Doby. It was his father who owned the Indians when Doby made his big league debut and the two families stayed close over the years. Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times also has a well-written profile of Doby.

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News profiles Mariners general manager Pat Gillick. At 65, Gillick is baseball's oldest GM and probably the one who receives the least amount of credit per win.

Jose Reyes makes his Shea Stadium debut tonight against the Yankees and Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes the occasion of this meeting serves as a microcosm of the direction of the two teams as embodied in the current status of their shortstops. The Mets have given up on the present and are looking to the future with Reyes and the Yankees are trying to keep their dynasty going and hope that the Derek Jeter of 1999 will show up again one of these days.

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