Josh Gibson is a renowned baseball player, often regarded as one of the greatest to have ever played the sport. Despite his immense talent, his name may not be familiar to everyone. However, his legacy was finally recognized when he was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Notably, Gibson’s name has now found its rightful place in the Major League Baseball record books.
MLB has confirmed that starting Wednesday, Negro Leagues statistics will be officially included in MLB’s historical record. This significant move will finally give recognition to the accomplishments of 2,300 Negro Leagues players, as their achievements will now be acknowledged in the league’s official database.
According to USA Today, the news was initially reported.
Three years ago, Commissioner Robert Manfred made an important announcement. He stated that Major League Baseball was finally correcting a longstanding oversight in the game’s history. The Negro Leagues were being officially elevated to “Major League” status.
Gibson has emerged as the leader in multiple batting categories.
Josh Gibson, a legendary player in the Negro Leagues, achieved remarkable career statistics that surpass the records set by iconic figures like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth in terms of batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS. Moreover, his single-season records, established during the 1930s and ’40s, still stand as some of the highest in the history of the game.
Gibson’s impressive accomplishments, which have become legendary in the annals of baseball, will no longer be excluded from league statistics. His plaque in Cooperstown, New York proudly declares that he “almost hit 800 home runs.” Now, the home runs, RBIs, and numerous other statistics achieved by Black players over a century ago will be showcased alongside those of present-day icons such as Mike Trout and Aaron Judge.
‘Absolutely the right decision’
John Thorn, an esteemed baseball historian, leads the Negro Leagues Statistical Review Committee. His primary role involves meticulously examining numerous box scores and other relevant data to incorporate the verifiable statistics from the seven leagues within the Negro Leagues into the MLB database. This committee was established to ensure the integration of this valuable information.
The project has been in progress for several years and will be regularly updated as more data becomes accessible. Dedicated researchers are diligently examining a wealth of resources, including newspaper clippings, microfilm, and personal stories, in order to enrich the historical record.
According to Thorn, the MLB decision goes beyond simply correcting a social, cultural, and historical injustice. It also serves to establish baseball as a truly inclusive game for all Americans.
According to Thorn, baseball is a sport that values both consistency and change. While the sport may be resistant to change at times, when it does embrace it, the impact can be significant.
Major League Baseball plans to pay homage to the Negro Leagues by organizing a tribute game on June 20 at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. This historic ballpark, the oldest professional baseball stadium in the United States, will host the event. The game will feature players donning period uniforms as they honor the iconic center fielder, Willie Mays, who hails from Alabama.
According to Thorn, the updated MLB database is scheduled to launch on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ET. He emphasized that there will be no asterisks or footnotes when it comes to the stats from the Negro Leagues in comparison to those of the American and National leagues.
He confidently stated on Wednesday that the statistics would be indistinguishable for both Willie Mays of the 1948 Birmingham Barons and Willie Mays of the New York Giants in 1951.
‘We always considered him a major leaguer’
Sean Gibson, the great-grandson of the legendary slugger and executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation, expressed his excitement for “Big Josh” and all the players of the Negro Leagues. Having been a part of the review committee, he is thrilled about the recognition and honor bestowed upon his family member and the other talented athletes from the Negro Leagues.
Sean Gibson expressed that they have always regarded him as a major leaguer, even though he never had the opportunity to play in the major leagues.
According to the article, the speaker mentioned his desire to witness the ranking of his great-grandfather and other players in the record books alongside renowned MLB legends. The speaker also highlighted the significance of 97-year-old Ron Teasley, one of the three surviving Negro Leagues players, finally having his statistics included in the MLB’s book.
“If Josh Gibson were alive today, he would feel incredibly honored,” Sean Gibson expressed. “He might even question why it took this long. He would undoubtedly be overjoyed for all the other baseball players who are being recognized, but most importantly, he would be thrilled for his family to continue his legacy.”
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