Josh Gibson Surpasses Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb: MLB Incorporates Negro Leagues Statistics, Redefining Baseball History

Birmingham, Alabama, Alabama, USA United States of America
Josh Gibson holds new MLB records for batting average (.372), on-base-plus-slugging percentage (1.177), and single-season batting average (.466) in 1943.
Josh Gibson's achievements surpass those of Babe Ruth (career batting average: .367) and Ty Cobb (slugging percentage: .690).
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed excitement about this development, describing it as a step towards social reparation.
MLB has incorporated Negro Leagues statistics into its record books, acknowledging the contributions of Black players in baseball history.
Negro League players Oscar Charleston, Satchel Paige, Mule Suttles, Buck Leonard, and Charlie have had their statistics added to MLB records.
Josh Gibson Surpasses Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb: MLB Incorporates Negro Leagues Statistics, Redefining Baseball History

MLB Records Shattered: Josh Gibson Surpasses Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb with Incorporation of Negro Leagues Statistics

Major League Baseball (MLB) has made history by incorporating statistics from the Negro Leagues into its record books, leading to several notable milestones. Josh Gibson, a legendary figure in Negro League baseball, now holds the all-time career records for batting average (.372), on-base-plus-slugging percentage (1.177), and single-season batting average (.466) in 1943.

Gibson's achievements surpass those of baseball legends Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, who previously held the records for career batting average (.367) and slugging percentage (.690), respectively.

The incorporation of Negro Leagues statistics into MLB records is a significant step towards acknowledging the contributions of Black players in baseball history. More than 2,300 players from the Negro Leagues have had their statistics added to the MLB database following a three-year research project.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed his excitement about this development, stating that denying these exceptional Black players their rightful place among all-time leaders would be a double penalty. Baseball historians and experts welcomed this statistical restitution towards social reparation.

Josh Gibson's great grandson, Sean Gibson, shared his enthusiasm for the recognition of his great-grandfather and other Negro League family members. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick described this as a watershed moment for Black baseball and Negro League history.

Some of the most notable players whose statistics have been added to MLB records include Oscar Charleston, Satchel Paige, Mule Suttles, Buck Leonard, and Charlie



Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

99%

  • Unique Points
    • . MLB has incorporated Negro League statistics into its historical records on its website.
    • Josh Gibson is now listed as MLB’s new all-time career leader in batting average at .372.
    • Gibson also overtakes Babe Ruth in career slugging percentage.
    • >Sean Gibson, Josh Gibson’s great grandson, expressed excitement about the recognition for his great-grandfather and other Negro League family members.
    • >Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick described this as a watershed moment for Black baseball and Negro League history.
    • >More than 2,300 Negro Leagues players from 1920-1948 were added to the MLB database as more stats are still being discovered.
    • >MLB career statistics for Hall of Famers like Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Minnie Miαoso now reflect their Negro Leagues accomplishments.
    • >John Thorn, MLB historian who chaired the review Negro Leagues Statistical Review Committee, stated that denying the best Black players of the era their rightful place among all-time leaders would be a double penalty.
    • >Larry Lester, baseball historian who also served on the committee, welcomed this statistical restitution towards social reparation.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it states that 'MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement' and 'Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick' make certain claims. However, the article does not provide any evidence or reasoning for why their statements are true beyond their positions of authority.
    • ][MLB commissioner Rob Manfred] 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.[/]
    • [Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick] It is an absolute watershed moment for both Black baseball and Negro League history.[/
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

  • Unique Points
    • . Major League Baseball (MLB) has incorporated Negro Leagues statistics into their record books.
    • . Josh Gibson is now the majors’ career leader in batting average (.372).
    • . Ty Cobb’s career batting average of .367 is no longer the MLB record.
    • . Gibson’s single-season batting average of .466 for the 1943 Homestead Grays is now the MLB record.
    • . Hunter Greene expressed excitement about learning more about Negro Leagues players and their statistics.
    • . Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene called the move ‘long overdue’.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

  • Unique Points
    • Josh Gibson's career batting average is now the highest at .372, surpassing Ty Cobb’s .367.
    • Gibson holds the all-time record for on-base-plus-slugging (OPS) at 1.177.
    • Gibson's single-season batting average is now the highest at .466 in 1943.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it quotes MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stating that the inclusion of Negro League statistics in Major League Baseball records is focused on ensuring that future generations have access to the statistics and milestones of all those who made the Negro Leagues possible. This statement is used as justification for including these statistics, but it does not necessarily make it true or accurate. Additionally, there are several instances of inflammatory rhetoric used throughout the article, such as 'double penalty' and 'statistical restitution towards social reparation.' However, these phrases do not directly impact the accuracy or validity of the information presented.
    • ][John Thorn]" said. "To deny these clubs and players major league status now would be to exact a double penalty."
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

  • Unique Points
    • .372 is now the career leader in batting average, previously held by Ty Cobb.
    • .466 is now the single-season record for batting average, previously held by Josh Gibson with his performance for the 1943 Homestead Grays.
    • .718 is now the career leader in slugging percentage, previously held by Babe Ruth.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

  • Unique Points
    • .718 is now the career leader in slugging percentage, previously held by Babe Ruth.
    • .372 is now the career leader in batting average, previously held by Ty Cobb.
    • .466 is now the single-season record for batting average, previously held by Josh Gibson with his performance for the 1943 Homestead Grays.
    • .451 is now the second highest single-season record for batting average, previously held by Charlie Smith with his performance for the 1929 New York Lincoln Giants.
    • More than 2,300 players from the Negro Leagues have had their statistics incorporated into the major league record book following a three-year research project.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication