Regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Josh Gibson’s legacy has transcended the sport for over seven decades. Despite his remarkable achievements, Major League Baseball never fully acknowledged him.
However, a significant change occurred this week.
For the first time ever, the previously excluded statistics of more than 2,400 Negro Leagues ballplayers have been incorporated into the MLB record books. This merger of records has placed Gibson ahead of legendary figures like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Lou Gehrig.
Merging the data from both leagues has now established Gibson as the all-time MLB hitting leader with a career batting average of .372, exceeding Cobb’s .367. Gibson has also been recognized as the career leader in slugging percentage (SLG) and on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), surpassing Ruth in both categories.
Gene J. Puskar/AP
Often known as the “Black Babe Ruth,” Gibson was a dominant figure in the Negro Leagues. During his 17-year career in the 1930s and ’40s playing for three teams, he was a 12-time All-Star and is widely hailed as one of the finest catchers and most powerful hitters in baseball history.
Despite his remarkable talents, Gibson was never given the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues due to the segregation prevalent in professional baseball at that time. His career ended just before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for more Black athletes to integrate into the previously all-White league.
Gibson passed away shortly before this historic change at the age of 35 due to complications from a stroke.
Keith Srakocic/AP
In December 2020, MLB announced the reclassification of the Negro Leagues as part of the major leagues. This decision allowed players like Gibson, Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, and others to have their Negro Leagues stats added to the MLB record books. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed pride in the league’s long-awaited announcement.
“This initiative aims to provide future generations of fans with access to the statistics and milestones of all those who contributed to the Negro Leagues,” stated Manfred in a press release. “Their achievements on the field will lead to a deeper understanding of this significant chapter in American history and the path paved by Jackie Robinson’s groundbreaking debut in 1947.”
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An updated version of MLB’s historical database will be unveiled during a Negro Leagues tribute game on June 20 between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants. Phil Dixon, a Negro Leagues expert who contributed to the statistical review project, commended the decision while acknowledging that more historical research is needed.
“Working with this esteemed group of baseball historians has been a privilege. This is a commendable endeavor,” Dixon remarked. “There is a wealth of work ahead of us, numerous stories waiting to be told through statistics, articles, and box scores—both discovered and yet to be found. The future of Black men in baseball is brighter than ever.”
