RE: LeoThread 2024-08-31 18:06

[taskmaster4450le]

This was big @coyotelation

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The 1919 Black Sox scandal was a major controversy in Major League Baseball (MLB) that involved eight players from the Chicago White Sox, who were accused of deliberately losing the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for money from gamblers.

Here are some key details about the scandal:

1. The Fix: In September 1919, it became apparent that several members of the White Sox had been intentionally losing games throughout the season. The team was favored to win the World Series, but they lost eight out of nine games against the Cincinnati Reds.
2. The Gamblers: It was later discovered that a group of gamblers, led by Arnold "The Sportsman" Rothstein and Abe Attell (a former major league player), had bribed several White Sox players to throw the series. The exact amount paid to each player is still unclear, but it's estimated to be around $100,000 in total.

Comments

[taskmaster4450le]

1. The Players: Eight members of the White Sox were implicated in the scandal: Shoeless Joe Jackson, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Fred McMullin, Charles "Swede" Risberg, George "Buck" Weaver, Eddie Cicotte, and Claude "Lefty" Williams.
2. The Investigation: After the season, an investigation was launched by the grand jury in Chicago. Several players testified against one another, leading to a trial that began on September 28, 1920.
3. The Verdicts: On December 25, 1920, seven of the eight players were found guilty and banned from professional baseball for life. George "Buck" Weaver was acquitted due to lack of evidence, but he also received a lifetime ban in 1921 by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis.

[taskmaster4450le]

1. Aftermath: The scandal led to sweeping changes in MLB, including stricter gambling laws, the establishment of the Baseball Commission (later renamed the Commissioner's office), and increased emphasis on player discipline and team integrity.

The Black Sox scandal remains one of the most infamous events in baseball history, tarnishing the reputation of the game during a time when it was already facing financial struggles. The consequences of the scandal reshaped professional baseball and led to greater scrutiny of gambling and sportsmanship within the sport.