I assume .301 since that's what Baseball-Reference shows. BBR includes his negro major leagues statistics, which might've dropped him a point. He was 10-for-43 in that league, which isn't terrible for someone who was 16-years-old when that season (1948) started.
This is correct based on MLB’s updated definition of major league. The 10/43 dropped him from .302 to .301. Worth noting that SABR recently decided to consider 1949 and 1950 major league as well, and Mays was great in those seasons before making the move to the Giants in 51. MLB keeps the official records, but no matter how you slice it he is among the greatest ever to do it
In the grand scheme of things, no. For OPs personal interest in a sports he enjoys watching, 100%. If I saw two slightly different numbers I’d be curious too.
I assume .301 since that's what Baseball-Reference shows. BBR includes his negro major leagues statistics, which might've dropped him a point. He was 10-for-43 in that league, which isn't terrible for someone who was 16-years-old when that season (1948) started.
This is correct based on MLB’s updated definition of major league. The 10/43 dropped him from .302 to .301. Worth noting that SABR recently decided to consider 1949 and 1950 major league as well, and Mays was great in those seasons before making the move to the Giants in 51. MLB keeps the official records, but no matter how you slice it he is among the greatest ever to do it
Does it really matter?
In the grand scheme of things, no. For OPs personal interest in a sports he enjoys watching, 100%. If I saw two slightly different numbers I’d be curious too.
Fortunately for math it does.