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MLB incorporates Negro Leagues statistics, shakes up record books

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MLB incorporates Negro Leagues statistics, shakes up record books​


Josh Gibson became Major League Baseball's career leader with a .372 batting average, surpassing Ty Cobb's .367, when Negro Leagues records for more than 2,300 players were incorporated Tuesday after a three-year research project. Gibson's .466 average for the 1943 Homestead Grays became the season standard, followed by Charlie "Chino" Smith's .451 for the 1929 New York Lincoln Giants. They overtook the .440 by Hugh Duffy for the National League's Boston team in 1894. Gibson also became the career leader in slugging percentage (.718) and OPS (1.177), moving ahead of Babe Ruth (.690 and 1.164). A special committee on baseball records decided in 1969 to recognize six major leagues dating to 1876: the National (which launched in 1876), the American (1901), the American Association (1882-1891), Union Association (1884), Players' League (1890) and Federal League (1914-1915). It excluded the National Association (1871-75), citing an "erratic schedule and procedures."

MLB announced in December 2020 that it would be "correcting a longtime oversight" by adding the Negro Leagues. John Thorn, MLB's official historian, chaired a 17-person committee that included Negro Leagues experts and statisticians. Standards for season leaders are the same for Negro Leagues as the other leagues: 3.1 plate appearances or one inning for each game played by a player's team. Gibson's .974 slugging percentage in 1937 becomes the season record, and Barry Bonds' .863 in 2001 dropped to fifth, also trailing Mules Suttles .877 in 1926, Gibson's .871 in 1943 and Smith's .870 in 1929. Bonds' prior OPS record of 1.421 in 2004 dropped to third behind Gibson's 1.474 in 1937 and 1.435 in 1943.

Bonds' prior OPS record of 1.421 in 2004 dropped to third behind Gibson's 1.474 in 1937 and 1.435 in 1943.

Willie Mays gained 10 hits from the 1948 Birmingham Black Barons, increasing his total to 3,293. Minnie Minoso surpassed 2,000 hits, credited with 150 for the New York Cubans from 1946 to 1948 that boosted his total to 2,113.

Jackie Robinson, who broke MLB's color barrier with the 1947 Dodgers, was credited with 49 hits with the 1945 Kansas City Monarchs that increased his total to 1,567.

Among pitchers, Satchel Paige gained 28 wins, raising his total to 125.

The committee met six times and dealt with issues such as when compiled league statistics didn't make sense, such as a league having more wins than losses and walks that were missing. Researchers had to identify whether players with the same name were one person or separate, tracking dates of birth, and identify people listed by nicknames. Documenting transactions and identifying ballparks in a time when neutral sites often were used is ongoing, along with uncovering statistics for independent teams. Kevin Johnson and Gary Ashwill, researchers who had spent nearly two decades helping assemble the Seamheads Negro Leagues Database, were included in the project.

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MLB players praise 'long overdue' Negro Leagues record inclusion​


Buck Leonard. Charlie "Chino" Smith. Turkey Stearnes. Baseball players and fans alike are learning more about the Negro Leagues after the statistics for more than 2,300 players -- historic figures such as Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, Satchel Paige and Mule Suttles were incorporated into the major league record book following a three-year research project. A 17-person committee chaired by John Thorn, Major League Baseball's official historian, met six times as part of the meticulous process of examining statistics from seven Negro Leagues from 1920-48. Nearly 75% of the available records have been included, according to MLB, and additional research could lead to more changes to the major league leaderboards.

"You get to learn about a lot of names and a lot of people that we may not have heard about," Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen said Wednesday. "Now that Josh Gibson is at the top of OPS and batting average and a few other categories, it's great news. But it's more than just that and the numbers. It's great that you now get to learn about the players in the Negro Leagues. ... I'll be able to do some more deep-diving into some names that I may not have heard of."

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top leaderboard changes as negto leagues join major league recordhttps://www.mlb.com/news/stats-leaderboard-changes-negro-leagues-mlb

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Major League Baseball’s single-season and career leaderboards now have a fresh look.​

This effort is not over. In fact, researchers estimate that the 1920-48 Negro Leagues records are about 75% complete, and further updates could come in the future, if more verifiable information comes to light via box scores. It’s also important to note that there is nothing new about historical records shifting over time. In fact, baseball history has always been a living, breathing thing.[/size]
 

MLB integrates Negro League statistics into all-time record book with Josh Gibson now career batting average leader​


Major League Baseball has incorporated the statistics of former Negro League players into its historical records on its website, meaning legendary leaders in some categories like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb have now been replaced in the record books by players who were not allowed to play on the same fields as them during segregation. Josh Gibson, one of the greatest sluggers in the history of the Negro Leagues, is now listed as MLB’s new all-time career leader in batting average at .372, moving ahead of Ty Cobb at .367. The MLB website shows Gibson also overtaking Babe Ruth in career slugging percentage.

“We are proud that the official historical record now includes the players of the Negro Leagues. This initiative is focused on ensuring that future generations of fans have access to the statistics and milestones of all those who made the Negro Leagues possible,” said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement. “Their accomplishments on the field will be a gateway to broader learning about this triumph in American history and the path that led to Jackie Robinson’s 1947 Dodger debut.” Gibson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. “We’re excited,” Sean Gibson, the slugger’s great grandson, told CNN. “This is a long time coming. Not just for Josh Gibson, but all the other great Negro League family members as well.”

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Major leaguers praise inclusion of Negro Leagues statistics into major league records​


Buck Leonard. Charlie “Chino” Smith. Turkey Stearnes. Baseball players and fans alike are learning more about the Negro League after the statistics for more than 2,300 players — historic figures like Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, Satchel Paige and Mule Suttles — were incorporated into the major league record book following a three-year research project. “You get to learn about a lot of names and a lot of people that we may not have heard about,” Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen said Wednesday. “Now that Josh Gibson is at the top of OPS and batting average and a few other categories, it’s great news. But it’s more than just that and the numbers. It’s great that you now get to learn about the players in the Negro Leagues. ... I’ll be able to do some more deep diving into some names that I may not have heard of.” “Baseball history is a part of U.S. history, and I think (the) major leagues acknowledging and incorporating the Negro Leagues is a huge step in kind of bringing all the parts of baseball history together,” said Tyrus Cobb, Ty Cobb’s great grandson. “And I think it’s actually pretty exciting that there’s a new statistical batting average leader.”

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Willie Mays won't attend Negro League tribute game at Rickwood Field​


Willie Mays will not be in attendance when the San Francisco Giants face the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field on Thursday in a game honoring him and the Negro Leagues. Mays, who began his career in Alabama with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues and played for the Giants from 1951-72, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he will enjoy the game at home. Mays, 93, is widely considered baseball's greatest living player. He won the World Series with the Giants in 1954 and was a 24-time All-Star during his career, tied with Stan Musial for second-most behind Hank Aaron's 25. Mays won the 1954 major league batting title and was voted NL MVP in 1954 and 1965. MLB has been working with the city of Birmingham and Friends of Rickwood nonprofit group to renovate the 10,800-seat ballpark, which at 114 years old is the oldest professional ballpark in the United States. Mays will still be honored during the week's festivities.

"I'm not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area," Mays said in a statement to the paper on Monday. "My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons. I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who'll be at Rickwood or watching the game. It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it."

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Rickwood festivities celebrate Willie Mays, Negro League greats​


As Ajay Stone strolled around historic Rickwood Field and gazed at tributes displayed in honor of Willie Mays and other Negro Leaguers, he clutched a cherished memory under his arm. It was a picture from 2004 of Mays holding Stone's then-10-month-old daughter, Haley, who was wearing San Francisco Giants gear. In Mays' hand was a chunk of a chocolate chip cookie, which he was handing over for Haley to eat. "Willie gave her that cookie," Stone remembered. "She had no teeth. But we took the cookie and we kept it in her stroller for a year and a half. The great Willie Mays gave it to her, so it was special to us." It was hours before Rickwood Field hosted its first Major League Baseball game, with the St. Louis Cardinals beating the Giants, 6-5. The game, which MLB called "A Tribute to the Negro Leagues," was meant to honor the legacies of Mays and other Black baseball greats who left an enduring mark on the sport.

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New Jackie Robinson statue unveiled in Wichita, Kansas​

Organizers of a youth baseball league in Wichita, Kansas, unveiled a new Jackie Robinson statue Monday evening, replacing the original that was stolen from one of the city's parks and vandalized earlier this year. The new statue was returned to McAdams Park, where League 42 plays its games. MLB paid for the statue's replacement. Art Castings of Colorado, an art foundry situated 50 miles outside of Denver, used the original mold created by Parsons -- who died in 2022 -- to recreate the statue. Several of League 42's 600 players -- two-thirds of whom are Black and Latino -- were on hand, including 8-year-old Marcus Jones, who volunteered to speak. Ricky Alderete, 45, was arrested after the statue went missing. He pleaded guilty to theft and other charges in May and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for multiple cases on Friday. No other arrests have been made.

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