Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Alabama native, Negro Leagues legend Mule Suttles moves into MLB record books
Reading time: 4 minutes
This week marked a historic moment in the history of America’s Pastime as Negro League stats have officially been added to the MLB record books.
Many players who have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown will now hold a permanent spot in the record books because of what they did in Negro Leagues across the country when the sport was segregated. That includes Alabama native and former Birmingham Black Barons star George “Mule” Suttles.
Keep reading to find out more about Suttles’ career + where he and other Negro League players now sit in the all-time record book.
Mule Suttles
Mule Suttles was born in Edgewater in Jefferson County and broke into the Negro Leagues with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1923. He moved into bigger leagues across the country, including a stint with the St. Louis Stars that got him into the record books.
In 1926, Suttles had one of the best seasons ever recorded in the Negro Leagues. He hit 32 homers and recorded 120 runs batted in. Three other stats are now in the MLB single-season record books:
- .425 batting average (8th all-time)
- .877 slugging percentage (2nd)
- 1.349 on-base plus slugging (9th)
Suttles is often considered to have one of the best careers of Negro League players, spending time with nine different teams between 1921-1944. Some believe he hit the most home runs in Negro League history. The Baseball Hall of Fame credits Suttles with 179 career home runs.
Because the Negro Leagues played less games each season, average stats are more likely to break into the record books than counting stats. Suttles is also now in the record books for:
- Career slugging percentage — .621 (5th)
- Career on-base plus slugging — 1.349 (9th)
Suttles was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
New career stat leaders
Mule Suttles certainly isn’t the only Negro Leagues star to move into the record books this week. Already well-known names like Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, Turkey Stearnes and others are now officially listed among the best hitters of all time.
Gibson has his name in the conversation as THE greatest hitter to ever play the game and now stats back up that claim. Gibson ranks at the top of the list for:
- Career batting average — .372
- Career slugging percentage — .718
- Career on-base plus slugging — 1.177
- Single-season batting average — .466 (1943)
- Single-season slugging percentage — .974 (1937)
- Single-season on-base plus slugging — 1.474 (1937)
The changes officially happened Wednesday, when MLB announced stats from seven different Negro Leagues were added to the league’s historical records. In 2020, MLB recognized those seven leagues across that 29-year period as Major Leagues.
“This initiative is focused on ensuring that future generations of fans have access to the statistics and milestones of all those who made the Negro Leagues possible. Their accomplishments on the field will be a gateway to broader learning about this triumph in American history and the path that led to Jackie Robinson’s 1947 Dodger debut.”
~ MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
Read more about the stats and updated record books on the MLB website.
Are you looking forward to the MLB at Rickwood: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues? Check out our other coverage of the upcoming event in Birmingham:
- Alabama HBCU choirs to perform during Juneteenth celebrity game at Rickwood Field
- Ticket resale prices sky high after MLB at Rickwood sells out in minutes
- MLB at Rickwood ticket lottery available to Alabama residents ONLY
Do you have a favorite player from the Negro Leagues era? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
