Black Stats Matter: Integrating Negro League Numbers into Major League Records

by Philip Lee

For more than half a century, Black baseball players, barred from the Major Leagues by systemic racism, competed in leagues of their own. This book re-interprets the history of race in baseball from the ground up. It tells the story of how the Major Leagues became the "Caucasian Leagues," and names the person most responsible for their segregation; showing how Major League owners and executives tried to delay and even prevent integration; and proving, using a broad range of methods, that Negro League players were every inch the equals of their Major League counterparts. Cherished records held by white players since the days of segregation are shown to belong rightfully to Negro League superstars. This book takes a fresh look at a subject that's both straight from today's headlines and as old as baseball itself.

375 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2023

Reviews

[John Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not make the mistake of assuming this book is a dry presentation of baseball statistics. The book fundamentally makes the case for the integration of Black baseball players' records into the official cannon of Major League Baseball’s historical record. It does so with compassion, humour, and authority. This writer knows his baseball stats but presents the case in a way that is engaging, even to someone like me who does not know a lot about baseball. I can highly recommend this book to anyone, sports fan or not. The case to end the historic separation of Negro League records is compelling.

[Samwell Raleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good. It gave me a newfound appreciation for the Negro Leagues. Philip Lee did an excellent job with this.

It felt overtly preachy at times. Like, dude, I already agree with you, I'm 200+ pages in, you don't need to keep convincing me. But that's about my only complaint.

Great use of pictures and stats to put everything in perspective.

[Augustus Woodsong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for any fan of America's Original Pastime.
Chock full of interesting stats and compelling arguments.
It satisfies both the "what ifs" and the "why nots."
It will make you want to dust off your old Strat-O-Matic and rewrite your lineups.