1919 World Series thrown in Black Sox Scandal
On this day, Oct. 9, in 1919, the Chicago White Sox lost the deciding game of the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds after eight Sox teammates conspired to throw the games.
Known as the Black Sox Scandal, the conspiracy was the brainchild of White Sox Þrst baseman Chick Gandil, who persuaded his friend and small-time gambler Joseph “Sport” Sullivan that he could intentionally lose the series.
New York gangster Arnold Rothstein bankrolled the conspiracy.
The Black Sox Eight were motivated by their dislike of notoriously cheap team owner Charles Comiskey and their resentment of the straight-laced Sox players. The two factions almost never spoke to each other, even on the Þeld.
Despite being acquitted of criminal charges, the players, including the legendary “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, were banned from baseball for life. – Scott McCabe
– Scott McCabe
