Ashburn, Doby Expected To Gain Baseball Hall Of Fame

Richie Ashburn and Larry Doby, who could’ve played in the same outfield for the Cleveland Indians except for a ruling by Kenesaw Mountain Landis, are considered among the top candidates for election today to the baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

Nellie Fox, Gil Hodges and Negro Leagues star Leon Day also stand a chance to be chosen. Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Yogi Berra are on the 17-member panel that will vote, with 75 percent required for selection.

In an effort to enhance the opportunities for 19th-century players and former Negro Leaguers, the committee’s rules have been revised for a five-year period. Starting today, there will be a supplemental election for one player in each of those categories, in addition to the usual two people the panel can pick.

Ashburn batted .308 in a 15-year career, almost all of it with the Phillies, as one of baseball’s best center fielders.

Doby was starring in the Negro Leagues for the Newark Eagles when he signed with Cleveland on July 3, 1947, becoming the first black player in the A.L. The deal came 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Doby batted .283 with 253 home runs and 969 RBIs in a 13-year career in the majors, mostly with the Indians.