Major League Baseball has made a historic decision to incorporate Negro League stats into its historical records, as reported by USA Today. This move, set to be officially announced and implemented today, marks a significant step towards recognizing the contributions of Negro League players to the sport.
One of the major implications of this decision is the impact on the record books. National Baseball Hall of Famer Josh Gibson will now be recognized as the MLB's all-time career leader in batting average, surpassing legends like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. This change will also see Gibson take the top spot in slugging percentage.
This decision comes after Major League Baseball formally acknowledged the Negro League as a Major League entity over three years ago. The inclusion of Negro League stats in MLB's historical records is a monumental milestone that honors the legacy of players like Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, and Buck O'Neill, who are considered some of the greatest to have ever played the game.
