The MLB all time batting average leader, slugging, and OPS: Who is Josh Gibson?
By Oliver Wiener May 29, 2024 16:12
Josh Gibson, the man known as "The Negro League'ss Babe Ruth", now inducted into the history books of the MLB. Gibson was born in Buena Vista, Georgia in 1911, and both his on-field statistics as well as life story tells the amazing narrative of a man who not only accomplished but thrived against all odds.
The Legend of Josh Gibson
A Baseball was as good in Gibson's hands as it ever got. He was a Negro League catcher for 14 seasons, demonstrating the skills that would make him an integral part of history. In his career he finished with a .372 batting average over 2,255 at-bats and 653 games, besting Ty Cobb's .367 avg.
His .718 slugging percentage with an OPS of 1.177 also set new records, surpassing Babe Ruth's prior marks. Gibson was a tremendous runner, hitter, and fielder, making him one of the most impactful players in baseball history.
Gibson's Unmatched Statistics
Not only that, Gibson ranks second only to Babe Ruth in average number of plate appearances per home run for the 700-home run club. His .974 slugging percentage in 1937 remained the best for any season and that mark stood as the highest by any team in Major League history until the 1943 Homestead Grays hit.
Gibson not only dominated statistically; he played the same larger-than-life way as Ruth and fans flocked to ballparks to behold his feats.
Truly A Game of Numbers: MLB and Negro Leagues Merge
The Negro Leagues have gone down in the annals of baseball history's rightful place. On May 29, 2024, Major League Baseball officially incorporated statistics of over more than 2,300 players into the sport's official record books. They would be honored properly only if this Negro Leagues accomplishment were met with a clean measure.
The induction of Gibson, as a result of this momentous merger, was long overdue given his impressive accomplishments during his career.
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