COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Former Cleveland Indians outfielder Larry Doby, the first black player in the American League, will be honored by his birthplace through highway signs.

The city of Camden will put up signs on U.S. 521 and U.S. 1 saying ''Birthplace of Baseball Hall-of-Famer Larry Doby.''

''It's kind of surprising. It's a great honor. I appreciate it,'' Doby, 78, said from his home in New Jersey.

A Statehouse resolution submitted by Rep. Vincent Sheheen, D-Camden, this spring was endorsed by lawmakers.

Doby played 13 seasons in the majors, starting with the Indians in 1947. Earlier that year, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Doby was selected for the Hall of Fame by the veterans committee four years ago.

Mike McClendon, a baseball fan from Camden, had urged that highway signs honor Doby. There are similar signs in Greenville County marking the home of ''Shoeless'' Joe Jackson.

''It was the right thing to do,'' said McClendon, 64.

Doby's family moved to New Jersey when he was 13. Doby was honored in a ceremony in Camden in 1997 as about 100 people turned out at the courthouse to greet him.

The Kershaw County transportation committee must allocate money for the signs. The state Transportation Department will make them.

Lawmakers then will have to schedule an unveiling ceremony. The Associated Press