Downtown in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A History of Barrier Breakers
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, August 16, 2025
1. A History of Barrier Breakers Marker
The Cleveland Guardians franchise has a rich history of breaking barriers. Perhaps that is most evident in three former players depicted in this mural - Satchel Paige, Larry Doby and Frank Robinson.
On July 5, 1947, less than three months after Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier, Larry Doby debuted with the Cleveland Indians and became the first Black player in the American League. The following year, in 1948, Satchel Paige signed with the team and became the first Black pitcher in the American League. Later that year, both Doby and Paige became the first Black players to win a World Series as they helped Cleveland claim the championship. After the conclusion of the 1974 season, Frank Robinson was named the club's player-manager - becoming the first Black manager in Major League Baseball.
These three faced adversity, indignities, and hardships, but their courage paved the way for countless players, managers, and other uniformed personnel.
With this mural, the Cleveland Guardians pay homage to our strong roots. It was commissioned by Cleveland artist, Glen Infante, in July 2022
this page online
Erected 2022 by Cleveland Guardians.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is July 5, 1947.
Location. 41° 29.763′ N, 81° 41.207′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Downtown. It is on Eagle Avenue 0.2 miles west of East 9th Street, on the right when traveling east. The mural and marker are on the outer wall of the stadium to the southwest of the Left Field District gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2401 Ontario St, Cleveland OH 44115, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, August 16, 2025
2. A History of Barrier Breakers Mural
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Earl Averill (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mel Harder (about 600 feet away); Giambi Dramatic Homer (about 600 feet away); Lou Boudreau (about 600 feet away); Bob Lemon (about 600 feet away); Manny Breaks Record (about 700 feet away); The Comeback (about 700 feet away); Ejections Spark Game Two Win (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . 'Barrier breakers' celebrated as mural unveiled.
For over a century, Clevelands baseball organization has prided itself on breaking barriers. And now, the team found a way to represent that at its home. On Friday afternoon, the Guardians unveiled a mural of three of their most significant historical players: Larry Doby, Satchel Paige and Frank Robinson. Its the first mural done outside of Progressive Field, located beside the left-field gate, facing Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. The painting, done by local artist Glen Infante, features portraits of Paige, Doby and Robinson (from left to right). Why these three?(Submitted on August 20, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan.)
Additional keywords. Baseball Hall of Famers series
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
