According to an anonymous source that spoke with a major publication, Major League Baseball is set to announce the incorporation of Negro Leagues stats between the years of 1920 and 1948 into the official record books. By acknowledging the statistics from Negro Leagues players in the official history of baseball, MLB is about to alter the history of baseball in a very good way.
Names like Turkey Stearns and Buck Leonard will join the known legends Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, and Barry Bonds among the best players in baseball history. However, there is one player above all that is finally about the recognition that he deserves.
On Wednesday, Hall-of-Fame catcher Josh Gibson will be recognized by MLB as not only the best catcher in baseball history but the league’s most elite hitter in the history of the game.
Josh Gibson Just Missed Jackie Robinson Breaking Color Barrier
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With a career that spanned over two decades, it will surprise some to learn that Josh Gibson never had the opportunity to bring his services to Major League Baseball. The revered catcher retired in 1946 following more than a decade at the pinnacle of Negro Leagues baseball.
Speaking with USA Today, Josh Gibson’s grandson, Sean, understands this adjustment is more than just his grandfather’s legacy. “This means so much for not only the Josh Gibson family, but representing the 2,300 men in the Negro Leagues who didn’t get the opportunity to play [in the Major Leagues].’’
Jackie Robinson, the immortal #42, would break the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers the following year Gibon’s retirement (1947). The two Star players never crossed paths. Gibson’s Homestead Grats were in the Negro National League, meanwhile, Robinson’s Kansas City Monarchs played in the Negro American League. Jackie Robinson was a teammate with Satchel Page in K.C. in 1945, so both player’s stats will now also be adjusted.
Josh Gibson’s Negro Leagues Stats Set As the New Standard
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Despite a career that was interrupted by World War II like most ballplayers of his timeframe, Josh Gibson was still able to put together an impressive career that will now see him lead the Major League record books in batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS. He will leapfrog several baseball Legends like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth in the record books.
The new career batting average benchmark will be .372, while Josh Gibson will also claim the single-season record with a .446 batting average during the 1943 season. The previous record was Hugh Duffy from 1894, which will now sit third following the changes.
Gibson’s power numbers were something to behold from eyewitnesses of his time. The closest slugger I’ve ever gotten to see with my own eyes, Barry Bonds, will no longer hold the slugging percentage record in MLB history. Bonds’ .863 slugging percentage from 2001 will need to equip a jetpack to reach Gibson’s new mark of .974 from his 1937 season. It’s a long fall down the list for the MLB Single-season homerun champion as Bonds will now place fifth in single-season slugging percentage.
The Josh Gibson MVP Award?
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Josh Gibson’s Hall-of-Fame plaque states that the catcher belted “over 800 home runs” during his 17-year career. While that figure is questionable given the stats of the exhibition games being included in Negro League records, it does not diminish the fact that the legend knew how to hit the baseball effectively. His official total is still tops in the Negro Leagues at 238 round-trippers.
Sean Gibson suggested that Major League Baseball bestow the MVP award with Gibson’s name. The award is currently nameless following the removal of former commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis from the distinguished honor in 2020. The case that his relative makes is a strong one:
“How ironic would it be for Josh Gibson to replace the man who denied more than 2,300 men the opportunity to play baseball in the major leagues,’’ Sean Gibson said. “I’m hoping with these stats that we can change it to the Josh Gibson MVP award. These stats make a great case for it to be named in his honor.’’
According to the reports, MLB is still working to verify statistics following 1948, so stay tuned as the official numbers might go through a few more rounds of changes.
About The Author
Christopher Babos is a genuine sports & entertainment journalist with diverse credentials in writing, broadcasting, and digital media. He can be located on X for real-time takes (@CBabosWrites). With various roles in the sports industry over two decades, Chris can speak with authority on the topics he covers. Additional insightful sports articles are located here.
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