How Negro Leagues stats change MLB record books: Jackie Robinson and more notable names get updated numbers

On Wednesday, Major League Baseball announced that Negro League statistics have officially been incorporated into the Major League record. Seven Negro Leagues were elevated to “Major League” status in 2020 and statistics for approximately 3,400 players who played in the Negro Leagues between 1920-48 are now part of the official MLB record.

“We are proud that the official historical record now includes players from the Negro Leagues,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “This initiative aims to ensure that future generations of fans have access to the statistics and milestones of all those who made the Negro Leagues possible. His achievements 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 Dodger debut in 1947.”

Seven leagues comprised the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1948: Negro National League (I) (1920–1931), Eastern Colored League (1923–1928), American Negro League (1929), East-West League (1932), Negro Southern League (1932), Negro National League (II) (1933-1948) and Negro American League (1937-1948). Experts estimate that the records of these leagues are 75% complete.

Numerous individual player totals and several all-time baseball statistical records have changed as a result of the integration of the Negro Leagues into the official Major League record. Here are the most notable changes in baseball history.

Gibson becomes leader in AVG, SLG, OPS

Josh Gibson, a standout catcher who played for three Negro League teams from 1930 to 1945 – Memphis Red Sox, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Homestead Grays – is baseball’s new career leader and single-season batting average, slugging percentage and OPS. Here are the new batting average leaderboards:

Gibson’s .974 slugging percentage in 1937 is now the single-season record, surpassing Mule Stuttles’ .898 mark in 1937. His .718 career slugging percentage ranks first behind Babe Ruth and his . batted .690 for his career.

As for OPS, Gibson now has the two best single-season marks: 1.474 in 1931 and 1.435 in 1943. Barry Bonds previously held the record with a 1.421 OPS during his record 73 home run season in 2001. Gibson’s career 1.177 OPS is the new all-time record. The previous record was Babe Ruth’s 1.164 OPS.

In parts of 14 Negro League seasons, Gibson put together a .372/.458/.718 batting line with 166 home runs in 602 games. He was a 12-time All-Star and is widely considered one of the greatest catchers in the history of the sport.

Robinson and Mays get more hits

Before breaking the color barrier with the Dodgers in 1947, Jackie Robinson played a forgotten season with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues, and that season he hit .375/.449/.600 in 34 games. According to Elias, he had 49 hits in those 34 games. Add that to his 1,518 hits with the Dodgers from 1947-56 and that gives Robinson a new career total of 1,569 hits.

Willie Mays, arguably the greatest player of all time, played briefly with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948. He was 10-for-43 (.233) in 10 games, according to Elias. Mays played 23 MLB seasons with the Giants and Mets from 1951-73. He accumulated 3,283 hits in those 23 seasons. Add to that his 10 Negro League hits and Mays’ new career total is 3,293, the 13th highest in history.

Paige adds 97 more wins

In 1971, Satchel Paige became the first Negro Leaguer inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He won 97 games with six Negro League teams from 1927 to 1947 – Birmingham Black Barons, Cleveland Cubs, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Kansas City Monarchs, New York Black Yankees, Memphis Red Sox – before getting an MLB opportunity with Cleveland at 41. years in 1948.

Paige played five MLB seasons with Cleveland and the St. Louis Browns from 1948-53 – he also pitched one game for the Kansas City Athletics at age 59 in 1965 – and had a record of 28-31. His new official win total in his career is 125, according to Elias.

Miñoso eliminates 2,000 hits

Minnie Miñoso, the Cuban comet, began her professional career with three seasons with the New York Cubans, from 1946-48. He slashed .313/.364/.479 with 150 hits in 113 games during his three seasons in the Negro Leagues. Miñoso made his MLB debut with Cleveland in 1949 and played 17 seasons with four teams from 1949-80. In those 17 seasons he accumulated 1,963 hits.

Now that Negro League stats are part of the Major League record, Miñoso joins the 2,000-hit club and has 2,113 career hits. Miñoso, who died at age 91 in 2015, was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Golden Days Era Committee in December 2021. He was part of the 2022 Hall of Fame class.