Josh Gibson and Negro Leagues Players Take Their Place in Baseball History

Major League Baseball has made a historic update by incorporating Negro Leagues players' statistics into its official records, reshaping the narrative of baseball history. Legendary sluggers like Josh Gibson now hold top spots in the record books, with Gibson's .372 batting average surpassing Ty Cobb's .367 and his slugging percentage eclipsing Babe Ruth's.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated, "We are proud that the official historical record now includes the players of the Negro Leagues. This initiative ensures future generations can access the statistics and milestones of all those who made the Negro Leagues possible, shedding light on their contributions to American history."

Josh Gibson, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972, hit nearly 800 home runs in his career, mostly in exhibitions against former big leaguers and White semi-pro teams. His great-grandson, Sean Gibson, expressed excitement over this long-awaited recognition for Gibson and his peers.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick hailed the move as a "watershed moment" for Black baseball and Negro League history, celebrating the overdue acknowledgment of these players' remarkable talents and their rightful place in the annals of baseball.