AKRON — The Akron Post Office is making a special presentation of the Larry Doby Forever stamp at 6:40 p.m. on Friday, August 17, 2012, during Negro League Heritage Appreciation Night (Akron Areos vs. Reading Phillies) at Canal Park, 300 S Main Street, Akron OH  44308.

Conducting the presentation will be Akron Postmaster William P. (WP) Jones III accompanied by former Negro League players Jim "Mudcat" Grant, Hank "Baby" Presswood, Johnny "Lefty" Washington, Nathan "Sonny" Weston and Ray "Boo Boy" Knox. Following the presentation, Jones will throw the first pitch of the game.

Larry Doby (1923-2003) was the first African-American to play in the American League, joining the Cleveland Indians shortly after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the National League. The seven-time All-Star excelled as a hitter and center fielder and set an American League outfielder record for 164 consecutive errorless games. 

Sheets of Forever stamps featuring Larry Doby and Major League Baseball players Ted Williams, Willie Stargell, and Joe DiMaggio will be on sale at the US Postal Service table on the concourse. The first 100 people to stop by the table will receive a free Larry Doby Philatelic catalog.

Discount tickets to the game are available online at www.akronaeros.com. Enter Special Offer Code "Doby."

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