As of Wednesday, May 29, 2024, the Negro Leagues have been officially integrated into Major League Baseball (MLB) history. This landmark decision incorporates the statistics of more than 2,300 Negro Leagues players from 1920 to 1948 into MLB records, marking a significant moment in the sport's history. The newly integrated database, now available online, offers fans comprehensive access to the achievements of these athletes.
MLB released a statement today, emphasizing the importance of this integration: “Today’s announcement is the first major step that makes the achievements of the players of the Negro Leagues available to fans via the official historical record.” This move highlights MLB's ongoing recognition of the contributions and legacy of the Black athletes who played in the Negro Leagues.
The journey toward this recognition began in December 2020, when MLB declared it was "correcting a longtime oversight in the game's history" by acknowledging the players of the Negro Leagues as Major League-caliber athletes. At that time, MLB also committed to including the Negro Leagues' statistics and records in its official history. Today's integration fulfills that promise, following the recommendations of the independent Negro League Statistical Review Committee, which played a crucial role in absorbing the available Negro Leagues data into the official MLB historical record.
One of the standout figures from this integration is Josh Gibson, the legendary catcher and power hitter for the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords. Gibson now holds several prestigious records within MLB history. He is the all-time leader in batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage), and he also holds the all-time single-season records in each of these categories. Gibson's extraordinary achievements underscore the level of talent that existed in the Negro Leagues.
In addition to Gibson, more than 2,300 Negro Leagues players are now part of the MLB historical record. This includes three living players who competed in the 1920-1948 era: Bill Greason, Ron Teasley, and Hall of Famer Willie Mays. Their statistics and career highlights are now accessible through the newly integrated database on MLB.com, which merges the Negro Leagues numbers with data from the American League, National League, and other historical Major Leagues.
The integration of Negro Leagues statistics into MLB's official records is a momentous step in honoring the legacy of Black baseball players who played in an era of segregation. This comprehensive inclusion not only rectifies past oversights but also enriches the historical narrative of baseball, ensuring that the achievements of these remarkable athletes are celebrated and remembered. As fans and historians explore the newly integrated database, the stories and statistics of Negro Leagues players will continue to inspire and educate future generations.