I really love what the MLB The Show video games have done the past couple of years with their Negro League storylines/game modes. For a lot of us sports fans, sports was our entry way into learning about history (back then through books; both non-fiction and fiction like Dan Gutman's "& Me" series) so to have this history introduced for a new generation of fans is cool.
What's also significant with the integration of the Negro League records is that Josh Gibson surpassed Ty Cobb for the overall career batting average, a man who attended Negro League games, quoted advocating for the integration of African-Americans in baseball, expressed his admiration for Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays and (unfortunately) someone who many people (including myself) mistakenly grew up believing was a raging racist (and whom, according to social media, many still believe despite that allegation being rebuffed in recent years). If both gentleman were here today, it's more likely they would've been at Cooperstown together shaking hands celebrating this moment and showering one another with compliments.
I visited the Negro League Museum last year in Kansas City. Highly recommended if you're in the area.
I really love what the MLB The Show video games have done the past couple of years with their Negro League storylines/game modes. For a lot of us sports fans, sports was our entry way into learning about history (back then through books; both non-fiction and fiction like Dan Gutman's "& Me" series) so to have this history introduced for a new generation of fans is cool.
What's also significant with the integration of the Negro League records is that Josh Gibson surpassed Ty Cobb for the overall career batting average, a man who attended Negro League games, quoted advocating for the integration of African-Americans in baseball, expressed his admiration for Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays and (unfortunately) someone who many people (including myself) mistakenly grew up believing was a raging racist (and whom, according to social media, many still believe despite that allegation being rebuffed in recent years). If both gentleman were here today, it's more likely they would've been at Cooperstown together shaking hands celebrating this moment and showering one another with compliments.
Great stuff! I actually just watched ‘The League’ documentary from last year. Brilliant stuff!
Just how good was Josh Gibson? A natural "best"!