Major League Baseball announced on Wednesday that Commissioner Rob Manfred will officially recognize the Negro Leagues, who played from 1920-1948 as a part of the Major League status. This decision now allows the stats and records of seven different franchises, along with roughly 3,400 players during this time in history to now be considered as “Major Leaguers.”

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick discusses the impact of the announcement, and the role it will play in the historical merit of the league with Sports Illustrated’s Ben Heisler.

For more information on the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, visit nlbm.org