Pittsburgh Pirates

As an African-American to graduate from an Ivy League college and make it as a Major League ballplayer, Doug has carved out a path for others to follow, his varied experiences act as an inspiration to many. The social atmosphere of baseball reflected his own beliefs concerning community and commonality: “Working in diverse environments was something very comfortable to me and shaped how I approached everything. In baseball, I found it to be a sort of oasis that had a similar flavor to my community, with very diverse people all playing and fighting for a common goal to win games and play hard.” When reminiscing about his early years, Doug credits his hometown community in Teaneck, NJ with fostering his dedication to tolerance and diversity. One specific instance Doug remembers vividly: while playing high school baseball, one spectator kicked his teammate (and captain of the team) in the chest due to racial tensions. After the unfortunate circumstance and racial differences, the entire community stood together, an experience that set the tone for his life.

As the son of a teacher and a psychiatrist, Doug was always encouraged to pursue his education, a goal that for him did not conflict with his desire to be a professional baseball player. His mother was known for setting up programs where students could learn about African-American history that was seldom taught in the classroom. “Understanding your history and heritage is a big part of your self esteem. So when you don’t see a lot of positive images of your heritage, it becomes difficult for young people to find their confidence, even though historically all these different groups have contributed much to American history.” Despite overwhelming pressure to play pro baseball, Doug stuck it out and received his BS in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988. “You have to thank your enemies for your successes, because sometimes the people who lie in your way make you understand what you really want,”  he acknowledges. (During his last two years at Penn, he attended school in the fall and played baseball in the spring, but insisted on finishing his education.)

Doug overcame a variety of obstacles along the way. His calm nature was often mistaken for a lack of passion about the game, and he often had difficulty engaging with managers and coaches. Getting into the Puerto Rican pro leagues became a turning point; he remembers the arduous journey it took to get to the big leagues nearly a decade later: “Talent gets you in the door, but it’s what you do with that opportunity that counts. There are a lot of lessons that you have to learn, but they don’t always happen at the same time. You have to be patient.” Doug reiterates basic advice to current and prospective athletes. “Take your education seriously. It helps you to be well-rounded ballplayer and the work ethic will make a direct difference. No matter how well you play, you’re still going to be retired at 40 and looking to express your competitive nature.”

Doug’s newspaper columns are centered on his desire to bridge understanding between players and fans, to show the human side of being a pro baseball player: “The insecurities, the journeys, and the sacrifice are all part of trying to make it—very typical of anyone trying to pursue a dream.” Behind all the sensationalism, baseball players experience the same difficulties as anyone else, but often feel that fans are unwilling to listen. “Players feel they can’t talk about their hardships because they’re fortunate to make a good living doing what they love to do. A lot of people don’t want to hear that they’re struggling.”

Next on his list of accomplishments is to be an “ambassador of baseball,” and to write a book to cover issues behind the scenes, to connect people to the human side and stories of the game. 

Doug’s life represents a successful playbook of diversity and achievement, a model for young people everywhere.