Pittsburgh's Josh Gibson Now MLB's All-Time Average, Slugging Leader

PITTSBURGH, PA — Major League Baseball on Wednesday formally recognized Negro League statistics, meaning Pittsburgh's Josh Gibson now is baseball's all-time leader in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS (On-base plus slugging percentage).

Gibson was a legendary catcher and power hitter who played for the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords. He now is one of more than 2,300 Negro Leagues players included in a newly integrated MLB records database.

“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,” said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement.

Wednesday's move means the following changes to individual career statistics:

• Gibson’s .372 career batting average now surpasses Ty Cobb's .367.

• Gibson's .718 slugging percentage mark exceeds Babe Ruth's .690 mark for the top spot.

• Gibson's OPS mark of 1.177 puts him ahead of Ruth's 1.164.

Gibson was born in 1911. He played for the Pittsburgh Crawfords from 1933-36 and the Homestead Grays from 1937-40 and 1942-46. He died in 1947.

Although his statistics were not officially incorporated into MLB records until Wednesday, Gibson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

"This is a historical moment for the game of baseball as these great players will forever be recognized within Major League Baseball's official record books," Pirates owner Bob Nutting said. said in a statement.

"Congratulations to all these great players, especially Pittsburgh's own Josh Gibson. The Pittsburgh Crawfords and Homestead Grays are an important part of the rich history of baseball in Pittsburgh."