Paterson Honors Baseball Hall of Famer Larry Doby

Paterson celebrated Larry Doby Thursday with a special ceremony for his new commemorative U.S. postage stamp.

Doby, the first black baseball player to join the American League, was born in South Carolina but attended Paterson's Eastside High School, where he earned 11 varsity letters in several sports.

The Hall of Famer began his professional baseball career with the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League before joining the Cleveland Indians. He was a seven-time All-Star. Doby, who also played for the White Sox and Tigers, died in 2003 in Montclair.

His son, Larry Doby Jr., unveiled a large copy of the stamp Thursday at a Paterson post office named for his father.

Doby is one of four baseball greats featured on the new series of Major League All-Star Forever stamps.