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The BIG fix Blemished
AnniversaryThe 1999 World Series is about to begin: the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees will be battling it out for the honour of becoming the best team in professional baseball for the year. Fans from across the country and around the world will be celebrating with their favourite teams. Perhaps not something as widely celebrated is the anniversary of the Black Sox scandal. Eighty years ago this year baseball was shaken by one of its most infamous and unresolved moments in history. In 1919, eight of the Chicago White Sox players were accused of throwing the World Series for a sum of $100,000 US. Their competition, the Cincinnati Reds, was the underdog and gambler "Sleepy Bill" Burns was determined to make money off of a bet in favour of the Reds. The eight men, who later became known as the Black Sox, were "Shoeless" Joe Jackson (outfield), Oscar "Happy" Felsch (outfield), Eddie Cicotte (pitcher), Claude "Lefty" Williams (pitcher), Buck Weaver (infielder), Arnold "Chick" Gandil (infielder), Fred McMullin (infielder), and Charles "Swede" Risberg (infielder). All eight players were cleared of criminal charges, but were not allowed to play baseball again. Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who was a federal judge and then the commissioner of the league in 1920, expelled them in an attempt to regain the respect of the fans.
Originally teammate Arnold "Chick" Gandil offered "Shoeless" Joe Jackson $10,000 US for his co-operation in throwing the game. Jackson said he refused it. The night before the game, Gandil tried to lure Jackson again, this time offering him $20,000 US. Again, Jackson said he refused. According to Jackson's testimony at the trial, Gandil told him that he would be paid whether he helped or not. Several days after the infamous game, Jackson received an envelope containing $5,000 US. Jackson said the team's owner, Charles Comiskey, told him to just keep the money and forget about it. Afterall, a player's contract was often not worth much more than $300 US a year. Jackson fought for his innocence, stating that his stats for the World Series game were an indication of his commitment to making the team win. His batting average for the game was .375, higher than his career batting average of .356. Jackson made 12 hits during the game and is often credited as being one of the best players on the field that day. For more information, visit:
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"Say it ain't so, Joe"