The 1919 Black Sox

[Leon]

The Black Sox scandal is the name given to the conspiracy to fix the 1919 World Series played between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. A number of players on the Chicago franchise conspired with gamblers to throw (intentionally lose) games in what is the biggest scandal in major league history.
This betting conspiracy between a group of players and gamblers led to the permanent banning of eight players from the White Sox baseball, the introduction of the post of commissioner, and strict rules prohibiting gambling that live on to this day.

"Shoeless" Joe Jackson. The star outfielder, one of the best hitters in the game, confessed to accepting money from the gamblers. The story told by Hugh Fullerton of a tearful young boy standing on the courthouse steps, calling out "Say it ain't so, Joe!" is almost certainly apocryphal.

Eddie Cicotte. The pitcher also confessed to accepting money from the gamblers. His second pitch of Game 1 of the 1919 World Series hit Reds leadoff batter Morrie Rath in the back, which was the pre-arranged signal to the gamblers that the players had accepted the fix.

Oscar "Happy" Felsch, center fielder; later became Eliot Asinof's primary source for his 1963 book,Eight Men Out.

Claude "Lefty" Williams, pitcher. 0-3 with a 6.63 ERA for the series. His usually excellent control deserted him at key moments of the Series.

Arnold "Chick" Gandil, first baseman. The leader of the players who were in on the fix, he did not come back for the 1920 season.

Fred McMullin, utility infielder. McMullin was only in on the fix because he overheard a pre-Series conversation between Gandil and Risberg and demanded to be let in. He made two pinch-hit appearances and had one hit in the Series. However, when Gandil retired after the Series, McMullin became the chief liaison between the players and gamblers in 1920, when other games were suspected to be thrown.

Charles "Swede" Risberg, shortstop. Risberg was Gandil's friend and main accomplice during the Series.

George "Buck" Weaver, third baseman. Weaver attended the initial meetings, and while he didn't go in on the fix, he knew about it. Landis banished him on this basis, stating: "Men associating with crooks and gamblers could expect no leniency". Weaver, to little effect, continued to protest his innocence to successive baseball commissioners until his death in 1956.

Thanks to Baseball-Reference for the introduction to the thread. Here is my Chick (never knew his first name was Arnold) .... It seems there are some Back Sox with lots of cards and others with few....would love to see any if members want to show some...

[Bpm0014]

I'm starting to love these Obak's. I think they are the most visually pleasing cards (right behind Cracker Jacks).

[scooter729]

I'll keep it going with the Obaks, along with a personal favorite - 1916 panoramic of the team with a fan group after a game (doesn't display great in a small pic, but I love it in person).

[K-Nole]

This is a special project to me.

Years ago, Zackary who is now 14, watched the show with me.
Since then we have began collecting 1919 Series things, from both Chicago and The Reds.

This show and the history of the scandal, are very special because we share a passion for it.

Leon, you met my son and me at the National in Chicago last year, and allowed him to hold the Honus Wagner. He still talks about that to this day and how he was shaking. Thank you Leon!

[Stonepony]

image.jpg

[YankeeFan]

[tedzan]

Some of the usual suspects......

TED Z
.

[RichardSimon]

He is fairly uncommon on photos.
Yeah, I know it has that sticker but this one is good.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

He is fairly uncommon on photos.
Yeah, I know it has that sticker but this one is good.

Always blew my mind that they cast Richard Edson in Eight Men Out and DIDN'T use him as Abe Attel

[the 'stache]

Ears my Shoeless Joe Jackson.

[gabrinus]

Here's a Felsch......Jerry

[YankeeFan]

Great stuff guys! I especially like the Ed Cicotte signed T205 and the Baseball Magazine supplements.

This thread reminded me of something I owned years ago. All I have left of it are some photographic prints I had made up before I sold it.



It's a cabinet photo of the 1908 Greenville Spinners, featuring Joe Jackson (fifth from left). It was my best flea market find ever, back in the 1980's, but I didn't know it at the time. I should share the whole story in a thread on the memorabilia side one day. Anyway, I sold it through a Mastro auction, at the 1995 National if I remember correctly.

I wonder if someone here on N54 was the buyer, or perhaps has it now? It has the name "Kelly" in pencil on the back. He was one of the members of the team, the last guy on the right.

I know there has been hot debate and ridicule on other threads about old team photos purporting to include Joe Jackson. But I'm confident this is really him, based on information I received from the Greenville library when I finally researched it.

Here are a few cropped images:



Below he is the guy in the middle, in case you didn't recognize him with his shoes on



This is the 5x7 print I had some copies made of:

[Leon]

Great stuff.....love the rare backs on many of them and this last team photo is off the charts!!

[the 'stache]

That's two "show-and-tell" pre-war threads in the last week I've been able to participate in, Leon. That's practically an orgy of activity for me, right now.

Thank you, yet again, for all you do for us, and the hobby Leon.

Originally Posted by Leon

Great stuff.....love the rare backs on many of them and this last team photo is off the charts!!

[Joshwesley]

I second that.... The show and tell threads are my favorite thing on the boards !

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Ears my Shoeless Joe Jackson.

I see what you did there.

[ErikV]

Not sure if anyone has ever seen this photo. I don't own it, but for historical
purposes, and it fitting this thread I decided to share it. It was taken before
the start of Game 1 of the 1919 World Series. It depicts Joe Jackson (back to
camera), Ed Cicotte and gambler, Sport Sullivan.

ErikV

[Tabe]

Speaking of the Black Sox, I highly recommend the new biography of Joe Jackson, "Fall From Grace" by Tim Hornbaker. Is fantastic,

[itjclarke]

Awesome stuff here. Here's a Hap.

[Bosox Blair]

This thread lets me show a few from my Cicotte collection: