Major League Baseball dropped a surprise, very important announcement today, officially recognizing the Negro Leagues as “Major Leagues” for all intents and purposes. That is to say, the 1920-48 Negro Leagues join the American League and the National League as the “Major Leagues” for that period in time. Records, statistics, everything. Long overdue, and wholly appropriate, given that racism is the only reason the leagues and players at that time were excluded from MLB.
There’s actually going to be a lot to dig into from this announcement, both historically important stuff and just flat-out-fun statistical stuff.
The official announcement, and some of the early reactions:
MLB is correcting a longtime oversight in the game’s history by officially elevating the Negro Leagues to “Major League” status. pic.twitter.com/gPSaTbD5Ud
— MLB (@MLB) December 16, 2020
Commissioner Manfred announced today that @MLB is officially elevating the Negro Leagues to “Major League” status. Culminating the centennial celebration of the founding of the Negro Leagues, MLB is proud to highlight the contributions of the pioneers who played from 1920-1948. pic.twitter.com/hkStF1UC0H
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) December 16, 2020
Statements from MLB's official historian @thorn_john and president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum @nlbmprez. pic.twitter.com/3F7KOeE4UP
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) December 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheUndefeated/status/1339246541253582853
Negro League statistics from 1920–48 will now be officially classified as "major league," marking a long-overdue acknowledgment of the accomplishments of players who didn’t have the opportunity to play in the American or National Leagues. @benlindbergh: https://t.co/FPHjg8m2Wo
— The Ringer (@ringer) December 16, 2020
Chicago #Cubs George Altman and Ernie Banks bookend Negro Leagues legend Buck O'Neil pic.twitter.com/A90glyMGSM
— CirclinTheBases (@CirclinTheBases) December 16, 2020