MLB incorporates Negro League stats, Josh Gibson becomes career and season batting leader

 

**MLB Incorporates Negro League Stats: Josh Gibson Becomes Career and Season Batting Leader**

In a historic move, Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially integrated the statistics of Negro League players into its records. This decision marks a significant step in acknowledging the outstanding achievements and contributions of Black baseball players who were excluded from Major Leagues due to racial segregation policies in place before 1947.

One of the most notable outcomes of this integration is the elevation of Josh Gibson, often hailed as one of the greatest power hitters in baseball history. Gibson's impressive batting prowess has now been formally recognized in the MLB records, making him the career and single-season batting leader. His legendary batting average and home run records, long celebrated within the Negro Leagues, are now cemented in the annals of Major League Baseball history.

Josh Gibson, known as the "Black Babe Ruth," played primarily for the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords in the 1930s and 1940s. With a career batting average reported to be around .365 and multiple seasons where he hit over .400, Gibson's stats were often the subject of myth and legend due to the inconsistent record-keeping of the era. However, with MLB's rigorous review and validation of these records, Gibson's exceptional talent is now officially recognized.

The incorporation of Negro League statistics into MLB records not only corrects a historical oversight but also honors the legacy of players who were denied the opportunity to compete at the highest level solely because of the color of their skin. This adjustment will have a broad impact on the historical leaderboards, reshuffling the rankings and giving due credit to many other Negro League stars whose accomplishments have been undervalued for decades.

Commissioner Rob Manfred stated, "The decision to integrate Negro League stats into MLB records is a long-overdue acknowledgment of the talent and contributions of these players. Their exclusion from Major League Baseball was a grave injustice, and we are proud to rectify it by recognizing their rightful place in the history of the game."

With this monumental decision, the rich history of baseball becomes more inclusive and representative of all the players who have shaped the sport. Josh Gibson's recognition as a career and season batting leader is a testament to his extraordinary skill and a symbolic victory for the countless Negro League players who demonstrated excellence despite facing systemic racism and discrimination.