How do you rate the Negro League greats when discussing the history of baseball?

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I really enjoyed this short collection of essays. Discussed some of the real difficulties in comparing Negro League players to today. Lots of complicated issues, but clearly there were amazing players who were screwed out an opportunity to play in MLB. The gaping holes in the historical record make this a very difficult question to drill down on.

https://www.amazon.com/Negro-Leagues.../dp/1970159634

Its a really great collection of essays, and a great recommendation by Steve.

In the essay "Negro Leagues = Major Leagues", author Todd Peterson points out that between 1866 and 1948, top African American ball clubs played over 7,000 games with White semi-pro, college, minor League, and major league teams and beat them 65% of the time.

Negro League teams won about 55% of the time vs. white Major League teams.

The quality of play in the top 7 Major Negro Leagues was clearly as good as the MLB.

I think as more research is done, Negro Leaguers will continue to be considered the equal of the players in the MLB.

As already pointed out, authors like Joe Posnanski rank the Negro Leaguers high on their all-time lists