Josh Gibson, a baseball player who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, will now have his Negro Leagues statistics officially recognized by Major League Baseball. This decision is part of MLB’s effort to correct a longstanding oversight in the game’s history and elevate the status of the Negro Leagues to be on par with the American and National leagues. Gibson’s career batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS are now set to be included in the league’s official database, surpassing records set by major league legends Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth.
The move will open the door for 2,300 Negro Leagues players to have their accomplishments acknowledged in MLB’s historical record. Although certain achievements of players like Josh Gibson, such as his nearly 800 home runs, will still not be officially recognized, their stats will now sit alongside those of modern-day icons like Mike Trout and Aaron Judge. MLB historian John Thorn chairs the Negro Leagues Statistical Review Committee, which is responsible for reviewing and integrating the statistics from the seven leagues within the Negro Leagues. The project has been years in the making, with researchers continuing to search for data to further enrich the historical record.
Thorn believes that MLB’s decision is not only correcting a social, cultural, and historical wrong but also defining baseball as a game for all Americans without exclusion. The league aims to honor the legacy of the Negro Leagues with a tribute game on June 20 at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. This event will feature players wearing period uniforms and will pay tribute to legendary center fielder Willie Mays, who is a native of Alabama. The updated MLB database, which will include Negro Leagues statistics, is scheduled to go live on Wednesday without any asterisks or footnotes distinguishing them from the stats of the American and National leagues.
This groundbreaking decision by MLB is a significant step towards recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Black baseball players from over a century ago. Josh Gibson, in particular, is set to lead multiple batting categories with his impressive records from the Negro Leagues. The integration of these stats is expected to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive historical record of the sport, highlighting the achievements of talented players who may have been overlooked or undervalued in the past. As the baseball community continues to evolve and embrace change, the inclusion of Negro Leagues statistics represents a profound shift towards greater equality and recognition in the game.
The MLB’s effort to recognize and honor the Negro Leagues is a testament to the importance of preserving and celebrating the diverse history of baseball. By including the statistics of players like Josh Gibson, who have long been revered in baseball history but often overlooked in mainstream record-keeping, MLB is taking a significant step towards acknowledging the impact of Black athletes on the sport. The upcoming tribute game and the integration of Negro Leagues statistics into the official database showcase MLB’s commitment to embracing the full breadth of baseball history and ensuring that players of all backgrounds are given their due recognition. This decision not only corrects a historic oversight but also sets a new standard for inclusivity and appreciation within the baseball community.
