On Wednesday, MLB made a historic decision that caused a significant shift in the all-time statistical leaders in baseball. They decided to include Negro League players in their historical record, which has had a profound impact on the records and rankings.
Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige are well-known figures in baseball history, alongside Babe Ruth and Cy Young. However, it is important not to forget the contributions of players like Buck O’Neil, Oscar Charleston, Jud Wilson, Turkey Stearnes, and Mule Suttles. These individuals have rightfully earned their place among the greatest baseball players of all time and their legacies should be honored and remembered.
Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, expressed his appreciation for the significant progress that has been made in unearthing the history of the Negro Leagues. In an interview with NBC News, Kendrick emphasized the crucial role played by historians in diligently researching and presenting these previously unknown numbers. He highlighted the value of this work, stating that it provides baseball fans with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the world of the Negro Leagues.
Before delving into the statistics provided below, it is important to understand that players from the Negro Leagues benefited from the evolving nature of modern baseball. The emphasis shifted towards rate-based measures like on-base percentage and slugging percentage, rather than total numbers such as home runs. This is because the Black stars of the pre-integration era played in leagues that did not have the same number of games as Major League Baseball, which typically had 154 games during the early 20th century.
Gibson, the current leader in slugging percentage and batting average in baseball, only managed to play a maximum of 74 games in both 1933 and 1943. On the other hand, Suttles had his career-best season in 1929, playing in 103 games.
“The seasons were significantly shorter,” Kendrick explained. He emphasized that the Negro Leagues faced a unique challenge because they did not have their own stadiums. Instead, they had to rent ballparks from major league teams, which meant they could only play when the major leaguers were not using the stadiums. Kendrick pointed out that this limitation had a profound impact on the Negro Leagues, as they had to adjust their schedules accordingly.
We will now explore the remarkable individuals who are finally receiving the recognition they deserve, both the renowned and lesser-known stars of the Negro Leagues.
Josh Gibson
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In a historic turn of events, a new batting champion has emerged, dethroning the long-reigning Ty Cobb with his impressive .367 career batting average. On Wednesday, it was officially announced that Gibson, the legendary catcher, now holds the coveted top spot in batting history.
Gibson, a veteran of the Negro Leagues for 16 seasons, predominantly playing for the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords, surpassed Cobb with an impressive career average of .372. In addition, his slugging percentage of .718 stands as the highest in the history of baseball. According to Baseball Reference, Gibson was a three-time leader in batting average, six-time leader in on-base percentage, and eight-time leader in slugging percentage.
In 1937, Gibson showcased his remarkable talent by achieving a batting average of .417. This impressive performance solidified his status as a 12-time All-Star and a two-time champion. Notably, Gibson holds the distinction of being the last player in the Negro Leagues to consecutively win the Triple Crown, leading the league in home runs, runs batted in, and batting average.
According to filmmaker Ken Burns, Buck O’Neil described Josh Gibson as an exceptional hitter, stating that he was the best hitter he had ever seen. O’Neil further compared Gibson’s power to that of Babe Ruth and his hitting ability to that of Ted Williams. O’Neil believed that Gibson would have excelled in the Major Leagues and would have revolutionized the game by setting new records in terms of home runs.
Gibson, who passed away at the young age of 35 in 1947, was honored with induction into the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
Oscar Charleston
Oscar Charleston, a legendary figure in the history of the Negro Leagues, made a name for himself as an outstanding center fielder. Over the course of his impressive 18-season career, he played for 13 different teams. Charleston’s batting average of .363 places him third on the all-time list, behind only Gibson and Cobb. Not only that, he also achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Triple Crown three times. His contributions to the game are truly remarkable and continue to be celebrated today.
Charleston, who hails from Indianapolis, holds impressive career rankings in several offensive categories. He is sixth all-time in on-base percentage with a remarkable .448, seventh in slugging percentage with .448, and fifth in on-base plus slugging with a staggering 1.061. What makes this even more fascinating is the fact that he achieved these feats while also serving as the team’s manager.
From 1924 to 1926, he took charge of the Harrisburg Giants. Following that, he went on to manage the Pittsburgh Crawfords from 1932 to 1938, the Toledo Crawfords in 1939, the Indianapolis Crawfords in 1940, the Philadelphia Stars in 1941 and from 1948 to 1952, and finally the Indianapolis Clowns in 1954.
In 1976, Charleston was honored with induction into the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame.
According to O’Neil, Charlie was an exceptional left-handed hitter who possessed the ability to bunt, steal a hundred bases annually, and excel in center field. O’Neil likened Charleston to the combined greatness of Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Tris Speaker.
Satchel Paige
Paige, a talented pitcher hailing from Mobile, Alabama, holds an esteemed reputation as the greatest pitcher in the history of the Negro Leagues. From 1927 to 1947, he showcased unparalleled skill, leaving batters in awe of his dominance. His impressive record of 125-82, accompanied by a remarkable ERA of 2.74 and a total of 1,484 career strikeouts, solidifies his place as a legendary figure in the sport. Notably, in 1944, while playing for the Kansas City Monarchs, Paige achieved an outstanding 1.01 ERA, ranking as the third best season in the annals of baseball.
He played as a six-time All-Star in the Negro Leagues and played a pivotal role in the Monarchs’ victory over the Homestead Grays to secure the Negro Leagues’ World Series championship in 1942.
At the age of 42, Satchel Paige, a 1971 Baseball Hall of Famer, made his much-anticipated MLB debut for the Cleveland Indians on July 9, 1948. It is worth noting that Paige’s debut at this age still holds the record for the oldest age for a first-time player in MLB history. His remarkable talent and leadership skills were instrumental in leading the Cleveland Indians to victory in the 1948 World Series, which they clinched in a thrilling six-game series.
According to Baseball Hall of Famer Cool Papa Bell, Satchel Paige had the remarkable ability to throw the ball right by your knees consistently.
Buck Leonard
Leonard, a legendary 11-time All-Star, was renowned for his exceptional batting skills in the history of the Negro Leagues. Throughout his illustrious career, he proudly represented the Homestead Grays as their first baseman for 14 seasons. Leonard’s remarkable talent was showcased batting fourth behind the great Gibson, contributing significantly to the team’s triumphs in 1943, 1944, and 1948, where they secured three championship titles.
Leonard proved himself as a formidable hitter in the Negro National League, earning the title of batting champion in 1935 and 1938. Throughout his career, he maintained an impressive batting average of .345, placing him among the top players of all time. Additionally, Leonard boasted a remarkable on-base percentage of .452, ranking fifth overall, and recorded an impressive OPS of 1.042, solidifying his status as one of the league’s most talented hitters.
At the age of 45, the legendary 1972 Baseball Hall of Famer was offered a position in MLB, but he declined the opportunity.
“In 1952, I realized that I was past my prime,” Leonard admitted. “I didn’t attempt to deceive myself.”
Jud Wilson
Joshua Wilson was a legendary player in the Negro Leagues, showcasing his exceptional hitting skills while playing for teams such as the Baltimore Black Sox, the Homestead Grays, and the Philadelphia Stars from 1922 to 1945. As a third baseman, Wilson was renowned for his incredible power at the plate, even achieving a batting average above .400 in three seasons.
He holds an impressive batting average of .350, which places him sixth among all-time baseball players. Additionally, his on-base percentage of .434 ranks him at the tenth spot, showcasing his exceptional ability to reach base consistently.
Wilson, a revered figure in the world of baseball and a member of the esteemed Baseball Hall of Fame since 2006, earned himself the playful moniker of “Boojum.” This delightful nickname was derived from the distinct sound that resonated throughout the stadium every time his powerful line drives collided with the outfield wall.
Turkey Stearnes
According to Paige, Stearnes, who hailed from Nashville, Tennessee, was just as talented as any other ballplayer. Stearnes had an impressive career in the Negro Leagues, spanning 18 seasons. He boasted a remarkable .348 batting average, a .417 on-base percentage, and a 1.033 OPS. These statistics place him sixth, 22nd, and ninth, respectively, in the annals of baseball history.
Known for his unconventional running style, Stearnes, affectionately nicknamed “Turkey,” was a standout player in the Negro National League. He dominated the league, leading in home runs a remarkable six times and boasting the highest batting averages in both 1929 and 1931.
In 2000, he was honored with induction into the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame.
According to Bell, “That man had an incredible ability to hit the ball with great distance, just like anyone else.” He further adds, “Not only that, he was also one of the top players in terms of overall skills. He had exceptional fielding abilities, an impressive batting average, and remarkable speed on the bases. Moreover, his power at the plate was unmatched.”
Mule Suttles
Leroy “Satchel” Paige, an iconic pitcher known for his incredible speed and unorthodox style, was one of the greatest players in the history of the Negro Leagues. With his lightning-fast fastball and pinpoint accuracy, Paige dominated opposing batters and became a legend in the baseball world. His remarkable talent earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.
Teammate Squire Moore reminisced about his time playing alongside him, stating, “They’d come out to see him hit the ball. I can attest to his exceptional hitting abilities. He was revered for his impressive power and could launch the ball with tremendous force. During batting practice, he effortlessly hit tape-measure balls, showcasing his incredible ability to hit for distance.”
Suttles, a legendary player who played for the Birmingham Black Barons, the St. Louis Stars, and the Newark Eagles, holds the impressive distinction of having the fifth-best slugging percentage in baseball history. The only players who surpass him in this category are Gibson, Ruth, Ted Williams, and Lou Gehrig.
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