MLB to Incorporate Negro Leagues Stats, Josh Gibson to Hold Multiple Records Including .372 AVG, 962 HRs

May 29, 2024, 11:20 AM

Major League Baseball (MLB) will officially incorporate statistics from the Negro Leagues into its historical records on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in baseball history. This integration will include the records of over 2,300 players from the seven iterations of the Negro Leagues that operated between 1920 and 1948. As a result, legendary Negro Leagues player Josh Gibson will become the MLB record holder in multiple categories. Gibson will now hold the single-season records for batting average (.466 in 1943), slugging percentage (.974 in 1937), and OPS (1.474 in 1937). Additionally, he will lead in career batting average (.372), slugging percentage (.718), OPS (1.177), and home runs (962), surpassing previous record holders such as Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. This decision follows a three-year research project aimed at ensuring the accomplishments of Negro Leagues players are recognized in the official MLB database. The move is seen as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the contributions and talents of Negro Leagues players, addressing a historical oversight in baseball's record-keeping.