The Controversy of Willie Mays’ Batting Average

Reddit users debate whether Willie Mays hit 302 or 301 due to the inclusion of Negro League statistics in MLB records.

Summary

  • MLB’s inclusion of Negro League stats impacts Mays’ batting average.
  • Users question the significance of a single point difference in Mays’ average.
  • The debate showcases the importance of historical record-keeping in baseball.

CountrySlaughter’s Insight

CountrySlaughter suggests Mays likely hit .301, considering Baseball-Reference’s inclusion of Negro League stats, which may have slightly lowered his average due to his performance as a 16-year-old player.

Later_Doober’s Nonchalance

Later_Doober questions the relevance of the debate, implying that whether Mays hit 301 or 302 might not hold much significance in the grand scheme of things.

In the end, the dispute over Willie Mays’ batting average sheds light on the intricacies of historical MLB record-keeping, showing that even a single point can spark a lively debate among fans.